Cultural Arts & Heritage Internships in Athens
Intern in Athens, where you can collaborate alongside experienced cultural, historical and artistic professionals, to learn and assist with the preservation, conservation and construction of various artistic disciplines. If you have a keen interest in fine arts and a desire to learn from observation, as well as hands-on tasks, then this internship can deliver both mentorship and practical experience. As the birthplace of western culture, Greeks have long inspired art, through their rich philosophy, history, and ideals of beauty. Intern abroad to expand your horizons and access unique artistic inspirations!
Internship Highlights:
- Gain first hand experience across a range of artistic disciplines in a world-leading historical city.
- Collaborate alongside experienced cultural, historical and artistic professionals, to learn about diverse methods for artistic preservation, conservation and construction.
- Experience the popular attractions and lifestyle in Athens and wider Greece.
Type of host organizations:
- Independent Artists
Internship details
Cultural Arts & Heritage internships are excellent opportunities for those passionate about all things history and arts. Interns collaborate alongside experienced cultural, historical and artistic professionals, to learn about diverse methods for artistic preservation, conservation and construction.
This is an in-country internship, with accommodation provided. You can explore remote internships, if you are looking for an internship program that you can undertake from home.
Athens has long established itself as a multi-faceted and lively arts destination. Alongside the crumbling ruins of the famous Ancient Acropolis comes beautiful sculptures, mosaics, and churches lined with colorful frescoes. Interns are given the opportunity to shadow, assist and learn from well known artists as they go about their day to day work within their respective field. Because the scope of this internship is so broad, the nature of each internship will vary. Examples of internship field may include (but aren’t limited to):
- Sculpture
- Micromosaics
- Ecclesiastic Iconography & Frescoes
- Art Preservation & Conservation
Restoration work may include assistance with preparation of materials and (depending on the level of an intern’s expertise) assistance with performing restoration work. For any projects related to new artwork, interns can assist to prepare materials, tools, learn techniques and methods, help the artist, and potentially also apply learned techniques on their own (such as learning some basic marble sculpture skills, for example). For interns that spend time with galleries, this may include administrative tasks as well.
Interns must have a genuine interest in fine arts and a commitment to both observation and hands-on involvement in the design and production of art pieces. Applicants are encouraged to include any relevant experience, skills or areas of interest in their application in order for their internship to be designed to best suit.
In all cases, interns should expect that the first week of your experience will focus on settling in and gaining some introductory knowledge, as you will not “hit the ground running”. Rather, you should start with learning about the placement to gain an understanding of what you can build upon, develop, learn, and contribute. Ensure that you ask questions and provide feedback during the introductory period, so that your supervisor understands how you’re progressing. This will help them to better understand important details, such as how quickly you learn, what you find challenging, what you find interesting, etc.
Understand and expect that individual internship experiences vary, as the specific placement that you’re assigned will depend on review of your resume and your current level of studies and experience. Therefore, if you’re at a more introductory level, you should reasonably expect a more introductory internship. Likewise, if you’re interning for a shorter duration, you will have a different experience from someone who is interning for a longer duration. Placement preferences are considered but always subject to availability.
Typical Schedule
-
Monday to Friday, approx. 9am - 5pm
Career Benefits
Cultural Arts & Heritage interns learn from a qualified and experienced supervisor, and can be involved in:
-
Sculpture
-
Micromosaics
-
Ecclesiastic Iconography & Frescoes
-
Art Preservation & Conservation
-
Creating art pieces
-
Visit to art galleries
Professional development opportunities:
-
Collaborate with experienced cultural, historical and artistic experts.
-
Understand methods of preservation, conservation and construction.
-
Build on your arts and culture knowledge.
-
Gain practical skills and boost your employability, with guidance from Intern Abroad HQ’s Experiential Learning Curriculum to support your learning and cultural intelligence.
Greece photo gallery
What recent interns said about their experience
My internship managed to blow any expectation I had out of the water by offering me experiences I wouldn't have been able to get otherwise. It wasn't just getting to meet the artists and sculptures, but being made to feel like part of a community that really astonished me. I enjoyed being exposed to people, places, and experiences I never would have been able to as a tourist or visitor alone. The experience during the internship was inspiring as an artist and a student, and has left me feeling reinvigorated about my professional plans. I've made connections in the internship that I'll hold dear to me for life, and that's made me a better thinker and a better person overall. My favorite aspect of the internship was that my only focus while I was there was on creating art. From waking up in the morning to sleeping at night, my only concern was to think creatively, which was incredibly liberating.
My internship role has definitely contributed to my long-term career goals. As someone who is extremely passionate about history, learning about and creating pieces of art using traditional techniques has been absolutely incredible. I got the chance to explore a number of museums in Athens and really enjoyed viewing the ceramic, mosaic and marble artefacts, not only as a historian, but also as someone who has had the opportunity to employ similar techniques and create pieces with the same materials. I hope to work in museums in the future, and can definitely employ the knowledge I have gained from this internship when studying such important artefacts. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to experience and understand Greek culture. All the people I met were lovely and welcoming, and I was made to feel very at home!
I’ve always wanted to get a wider perspective on art, having only experienced drawing and painting as part of my Graphic Arts major. I knew there was so much more to the field of Graphic Design, so when I saw an opportunity that would allow me to learn about sculpture, mosaics, frescoes, art preservation and conservation, I knew this was my chance! I was involved in marble sculpture and learnt about mosaics, ceramics, and art restoration. It was such a great experience to get so much variety in the work for such a short duration! I learnt the best way to handle different tools, I learnt the history behind the different techniques from different artists, and also got the chance to cut rocks and tiles. I loved getting to know other styles of art. This showed me I want to pursue art in all its forms. I want to work towards showcasing some of my own art in the future, letting people see my paintings and drawings. It’s been eye-opening to meet others in the industry, making their work their career, and showcasing it to the public. Experiences like this are a once in a lifetime!
I chose this internship specifically because my degree is in Art History and the opportunity to intern abroad in this field provided firsthand experience with both art and history. Through the internship abroad, I was able to experience life in one of the most beautiful birthplaces of art and got to explore this, all while meeting people from all over the world. My internship placement was with a marble sculpting workshop. I had to learn a completely new skill because I had never sculpted anything before. I was able to work with local artists, see their processes and how passionate they are about what they do. I now feel more empowered to be successful, because I know that I can learn any skill or ability quickly and efficiently. I have more confidence in myself and my field than I did before!
Since completing my internship, I understand art history so much more! When I first arrived in Athens, I thought I'd have a hard time, as I had almost no experience with art and was just starting out with this art internship. I came in expecting to sculpt with clay. Instead, the head artist got a slab of marble, put it in front of me, and had me carve on it. During my 10 weeks, I sculpted an artwork of my own design, using different techniques and tools learned on the job. I feel so much more confident knowing I can do the work, and do it well. I want to be able to continue making mosaics and marble sculptures. I now understand the sheer amount of skill and training that goes into sculptures, and will use this and other internship experiences to work in art restoration in future. If I could go back in time, I would definitely tell my younger self to relax; it's easier and funner than you think! This internship has gone a long way in allowing me to finally figure out what field I want to go into.
To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.
Academic credit available for all internships
Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing an internship abroad or remote internship program with Intern Abroad HQ.
Learn about course creditProgram fees
It’s free to apply for this internship. Once we have reviewed your suitability and accepted you onto this program, you’ll need to pay a deposit of US$499 to confirm your place. The remaining balance of your Program Fee (less your initial US$499 deposit payment) will be due no less than 60 days before your internship start date.
Duration |
Program Fee (USD) |
|---|---|
| 2 weeks | $2,229 Equivalent to $159 /day |
| 3 weeks | $2,699 Equivalent to $128 /day |
| 4 weeks | $3,219 Equivalent to $114 /day |
| 5 weeks | $3,689 Equivalent to $105 /day |
| 6 weeks | $4,174 Equivalent to $99 /day |
| 8 weeks | $5,034 Equivalent to $89 /day |
| 10 weeks | $5,869 Equivalent to $83 /day |
| 12 weeks | $6,649 Equivalent to $79 /day |
- Airport pick-up
- Accommodation
- 24/7 in-country support
- Program orientation
- Dedicated support before, during, and after your internship
- In-country guidance for social and tourist activities
- Sourcing and securing your internship placement
- Personalization of your internship plan
- Coaching from your supervisor
- Documented portfolio of your experiential learnings
- Academic credit facilitation
- International reference letter
- Certificate of Internship Completion
- All meals
- All in-country transportation
- Visa (if required), flights, travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check
- Transfer back to the airport at the end of your internship program
- Personal spending money for snacks, drinks, public transport, laundry, and leisure activities during your free time.
- A deposit of $499 (approximately 499) is required to secure your internship
- Balance of your Program Fee is due 60 days before your internship start date.
- All payments attract a 5% transaction fee to cover international banking fees and currency charges.
- Terms and Conditions apply.
Free-time experiences & tours in Athens
Take your internship to the next level with Intern Abroad HQ's affordable activity and tour add-ons in Athens! Explore your options below and learn how to book them once you've been accepted onto an internship program.
Sail into the Saronic Gulf, stopping at three of the most picturesque islands - Hydra, Poros & Aegina.
Activities and tourism
During the internship program, weekends are available for free time and leisure activities. There is no shortage of wonderful things to see and do! Local coordinators can assist with the booking of safe and reliable activities at discounted prices, so be sure to ask them for advice about how to make the best arrangements to maximise your time and budget (you can do so once registered for your internship or during the orientation). Note that some excursions require a minimum participation of between two or four other people, so it’s wise to enquire in advance.
Bear in mind that Greek Viticulture & Agriculture interns will be based in the region of Chania, in Crete, Greece. The locations for Viticulture & Agriculture internship placements are rural and not touristy. Medical internships in Greece are based in Athens.
Whether you want to explore the endless beaches, cruise around the Greek islands, or visit cultural and historical attractions, there is something for everyone. Popular highlights that you won’t want to miss include:
-
Acropolis of Athens: The most famous feature of this ancient citadel is the beautiful Parthenon but the site also includes other impressive structures. Situated high above the sprawling city and visible from many points, the Acropolis is an icon of Athens. The touristic areas of Plaka and Monastiraki are located within the surrounding foothills. Go walking through the alleys to lose yourself among the stores, taverns, flea markets, and cafes. Check out the Acropolis Museum, located on the road which leads up toward the Parthenon. Conveniently, there is a metro station (“Akropoli metro station”) directly across from the Museum, making this attraction as easy site to visit from other places within Athens city.
-
Full-day island cruise: A trip to Greece isn’t complete without getting out on the water. Spend a full day doing just that and visit the islands of Aegina, Hydra and Poros. Each offers the opportunity to explore, swim, shop and relax. The island cruise includes onboard dining (a rich buffet lunch) and entertainment. Be sure to pace yourself and bring your friends!
-
Full-day excursion to Isthmus, The Great Theatre of Epidaurus, Mycenae and Nafplio: Walk across the Corinthian Isthmus, visit the largest Ancient Greek theatre and the Asclepius Medicine sanctuary. See Mycenae where the Trojan War started and relax and swim at Nafplio.
-
Full-day excursion to Delphi and Galaxidi: Delphi is known as home to the oracle of Apollo, where predictions and guidance were sought from city-states and individuals alike. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s museum also hosts a rich collection of ancient artifacts. Part of the municipality Delphi, Galaxidi is a beautiful town famous for its gorgeous seafront (bring your swimsuit), fresh seafood, traditional architecture and more.
-
Half-day excursion to Poseidon’s Temple and swimming at Sounio: This afternoon excursion only takes about half a day, so it’s a great weekend activity to combine with a relaxed morning. Poseidon’s Temple is located south of Athens, at Cape Sounio. Here, the remaining pillars of the temple still overlook gorgeous ocean and sunset views, where the sandy beach below is perfect for swimming.
-
Full-day excursion to Meteora Monasteries: This full day excursion takes you to see the Meteora Monasteries, which are infamous for being precipitously built and “suspended in the air” (as meant by “Meteora”) atop immense natural rock pillars. The journey from Athens takes about four hours. Once there, you can walk up and explore the three monasteries of Great Meteoro, Varlaam and Holy Trinity. Marvel at the effort, dedication and faith required to undertake such a challenging feat of engineering, architecture and passion. After lunch, the excursion returns to Athens.
-
Full-day excursion to Vouraikos Gorge, Cave Lakes and Kalavryta: Take a scenic train journey through the Vouraikos Gorge and onto the beautiful Cave Lakes, a unique underground cave system that contains fourteen lakes across three different levels. Carry onto the picturesque town of Kalavryta, a popular winter destination (due to the nearby ski center). Kalavryta offers historical attractions such as the Monastery of Mega Spileo, Monastery of Agia Lavra, and the Municipal Museum of the Holocaust of Kalavryta.
-
Half-day Trekking at Mount Parnitha National Park: Located just an hour out of the city center, the park’s proximity to Athens is idea for an escape into nature (and retreat from the summer heat). The departure time is late morning and returns in the early evening. The two-hour trek is relaxed but still offers great views (keep your eyes open to spot red deer as well). The trek is followed by a break at Mpafi Refuge, where you can have a coffee and lunch. Return via a cable-car ride that transports you back to the foothills of Mount Parnitha.
-
Full-day Forest Horse Ride and Cycling excursion: After all the cultural and historical sightseeing that Greece has to offer, getting active and soaking up its nature is a must. This excursion includes horseback riding and cycling through the dense forests surrounding Mount Parnonas National Park. The trails provide beautiful views of the surrounding landscapes, as well as water springs and waterfalls along the Evrotas River.
Arrival and Orientation
Internships in Athens begin every Monday. Exceptions may be made to this when start dates are shifted to avoid public holiday disruptions or closed when the program has already reached capacity. Note that there are typically less placements available during August, due to the summer vacation period in Greece. Interns may choose to spend a minimum of 2 weeks, up to a maximum of 12 weeks.
Airport pick up and accommodation are included in the Program Fee. The accommodation is covered from the Sunday night before the Monday start date - interns are required to arrive no later than the Sunday before their Monday start date, as all orientations are held on Mondays. Upon arrival, interns will be met, greeted, and transferred to the accommodation. Accommodation is covered from the Sunday night before the Monday start date.
The typical port of entry is the Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos, the largest international airport in Greece (ATH). In order to receive the airport pick up service which is included in the Program Fee, interns are required to arrive on the Sunday before their Monday start date, between 9am and 6pm. An extra charge applies to any airport pickups outside this timeframe. If you are planning to spend time independently in Greece prior to your internship and will not require an international airport pick up, we can discuss alternative arrival logistics with you.
The last night of the accommodation is the Friday night of the final week, leaving interns free to depart on Saturday. Extra nights of accommodation can be arranged in advance, if requested, and are subject to availability.
Orientation covers important details for your internship, including introductions, information about culture, customs, rules, expectations, safety, language lessons, cultural excursions, and more. Your specific internship placement orientation will follow the general orientation, as you’ll be shown how to travel to and from your internship and be introduced to the team you’ll be joining.
Please note that all participants are advised not to book flights until they have first registered to confirm their internship placement.
Check what’s required to visit Greece
Check out the widget below to find out what the Covid-19 restrictions and visa requirements are for Greece, based on your country of residence.
Accommodation and WiFi
Interns are accommodated in clean and comfortable, fully furnished apartments or selected hotel / hostel rooms. Bedding and furnishings are provided, as well as common areas such as lounge, kitchen and laundry facilities. Standard amenities include whiteware (i.e. washing machine, stovetop, fridge, microwave) and clean linen (i.e. bed sheets, pillows, towels). Accommodation includes 24Mbps internet / WiFi access.
In most cases, between two to six guests can be accommodated per apartment so interns should be prepared to share living arrangements. Each guest will have a single or double bed. Rooming arrangements are same-sex, unless specific requests are made to share mixed-gender accommodation. For private accommodation, alternative living arrangements can be requested and arranged in advance, for an additional “upgrade” fee.
Upon the confirmation of specific internship details for each participant, accommodation arrangements are made, taking into consideration the location of internship placements, to ensure that any commute time is as convenient as possible.
Due to the layout of the city’s urban and residential areas, it is normal to expect an approximate commute (to / from an internship placement) of around 30 minutes. Interns should budget approximately 30 Euro per month for transportation (about US$35). The Athens Metro system makes it easy to get around the city and explore. All accommodation for the internship programs is located close to public transportation and large shopping areas.
Please note that the accommodation pictured in the photo gallery of this webpage is provided as an example. Since we work with more than one apartment, the exact accommodation that you’re assigned may differ from the photos. However, you can expect a similar standard and similar amenities, to what is shown here.
Meals
Internships on this program do not include meals, as affordable supermarkets are easily accessible. Greece has a thriving coffee culture which is delightful to partake in (there is also WiFi in almost all coffee shops and restaurants). Try Ellinikos (a favorite style of coffee) along with Freddo Espresso / Cappucino and Frappe.
For eating out, interns may budget approximately 3 - 5 Euro for a light breakfast (about US$5 - 7) and 5 - 10 Euro for a simple lunch (about US$5 - 12). There are ample dining options ranging from budget to high end. Greek cuisine offers a range of incredible dishes to experience, including well known classics such as Moussaka and Souvlaki. The Mediterranean diet features meat (cow, chicken, lamb), pasta, rice, pulses, vegetables, and a variety of fish and seafood. When in doubt, skip straight to dessert and order Galaktoboureko (with ice cream)!
Essential country information
| Capital | Athens |
| Population | 10.75 million |
| Languages | Greek |
| Currency | Euro (€ - EUR) |
| Time zone | UTC+02:00 |
Weather and climate:
With its Mediterranean climate, Athens is one of the warmest capital cities in Europe. The summers are long, hot and dry and the winters are mild. The best time to visit Athens for the hot weather is from mid June to mid September. The hottest month is July, in which the temperature may peak around 92°F / 33°C. Heatwaves in Greece may occur but they are usually not prolonged (that coast moderates temperatures with coastal breezes). The cooler months are November through March. During this period, it rarely gets any colder than 42°F / 5°C in Athens (February is the coldest month). Rainfall in Greece varies throughout the year, although the summer months are drier in comparison. December is usually the wettest month of the year. Outside of Athens, the climate of Greece remains primarily Mediterranean. However, due to its mountainous regions, there is a range of microclimates and local variations. Snow regularly falls in the high mountains. Medical internships in Greece are based in Athens. Greek Viticulture & Agriculture interns will be based in the region of Chania, in Crete.
