Our expertise has been built over decades of work in:

• luxury hospitality and hotel operations
• event and conference management
• international tourism program design
• faculty-led study abroad programs for U.S. universities
• educational travel coordination and on-site leadership

This multidisciplinary experience allows us to understand both sides of a program:
the academic expectations and the operational reality required to deliver it flawlessly on the ground.

A key part of our experience comes from long-term collaboration with American universities and academic institutions.
We have been actively involved in:

• designing and coordinating study abroad programs in Greece
• developing tailored itineraries based on academic objectives
• organizing lectures, institutional visits, and field experiences
• managing student groups on-site from arrival to departure
• ensuring smooth logistics, safety, and cultural immersion

This direct involvement has shaped our approach:
every program must be academically meaningful and operationally seamless.

Attention to detail creates meaningful experiences and successful educational travel programs.

From academic design to logistics and student support, every element must be intentional, structured, and aligned with learning outcomes.

My relationship with hospitality began long before it became my profession. I grew up in a hotel where my father was the General Manager, so welcoming people, anticipating their needs and making them feel at home were part of my everyday life.

I went on to spend 20 years in the hospitality industry, managing hotel operations and organizing events, each with its own character and unique requirements. These experiences shaped my approach to work and taught me the importance of personal attention, thoughtful planning and creating experiences that people remember.

In 2016, my professional journey took a new and unexpected direction when I entered the world of international educational travel. What initially seemed like a new professional opportunity soon became something much more meaningful. I discovered a whole new world that brought together education, travel, culture and human connection — and I fell in love with it.

For years, I had the opportunity to accompany student groups throughout Greece, experiencing these programs not simply as the person organizing them, but as someone who was right there, living every moment alongside the students and faculty.

Those experiences taught me so much. I came to understand the different needs and expectations of professors and students, the importance of thoughtful planning and the value of being present throughout every step of a program.

Most importantly, I experienced firsthand the power of experiential learning. Seeing students connect what they had studied in the classroom with the people, places and realities they encountered in Greece made me realize just how transformative learning beyond the classroom can be.

Eventually, I realized that these two worlds — hospitality and education — were not so different after all. Both are about people, meaningful connections and creating experiences that stay with you long after they are over.

That realization inspired me to create The Living Classroom.

Today, I see every academic program as another opportunity to do what I have always loved: welcome people to Greece. Only now, I get to do it through learning, discovery and authentic experiences that bring the country to life.

For me, The Living Classroom is a natural continuation of everything I have done and everything I believe in. It brings together my professional experience, my love for hospitality, my enthusiasm for education and, above all, my pride in sharing my country with others.

Because I believe that the best learning doesn't always happen in a classroom. Sometimes, the classroom is the world around us.

Welcome to The Living Classroom.

Dora Stathopoulou
Founder & Experience Designer