Please note: The Grinnell Corps program in Greece has been suspended indefinitely.
As a part of the Grinnell Corps, from 2004-08 Grinnell College appointed two of its graduates as Fellows to work at Anatolia College, a secondary school in Thessaloniki, Greece. These Fellows primarily counselled students in the dormitories, but also taught as substitutes in the English department, tutored students in English, and assisted with extracurricular activities. Grinnell College has a long history of connections with Anatolia College, stretching back over 100 years, and currently offers special scholarships to graduates of that school.
Anatolia College enrolls approximately 1200 students and employs over 100 teachers. It offers an International Baccalaureate degree, and enrolls students from across Greece as well as from several foreign countries. According to Anatolia's website, "As a secondary school primarily for Greek students, Anatolia follows the curriculum set by the Greek Ministry of Education (except in the I.B. program, which has its own curriculum), while at the same time offering features which go beyond those required by the stateâ¦With the exception of courses in English, Art and Computers, the gymnasium and lyceum curriculum is taught in Greek. All I.B. courses are taught in English. The areas in which differences from other Greek schools appear most strongly are the calibre of its faculty and the quality of instruction in all courses; the school's ambitious English program, which goes far beyond state requirements to compare with the work done in the best American secondary schools; its rich, faculty-led extra-curricular offerings, especially in the fine and performing arts, publications, and public speaking; its modern, American-style library of more than 30,000 volumes; its advanced science and computer laboratories; its excellent physical education facilities; and its campus of unusual beauty."
In selecting the Fellows, Anatolia College was seeking fluent speakers of English with a sense of adventure, an energetic and outgoing personality, preferably with an interest in Greece and teaching, and who possessed good judgment. Finalists for the fellowship were intervewed by phone by a committee made up of Anatolia College faculty and staff. The Fellows departed for Greece in early September, and returned to the US in the following June. Anatolia College mostly sponsored this Fellowship, and provided round-trip transportation, a stipend of $5200, room and board in their dormitory, medical care, and a small amount of money for moving the Fellows' personal belongings. Anatolia College also conducted interviews and selected the Fellow from the pool of applicants. Grinnell College's Office of Social Commitment assisted the Fellows with arrangements.
