EC EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN SUMMER PROGRAMS: Monastery Visit

Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Monastery Visit

When I heard that we were going to a monastery I have to admit that my first reaction was not the same excitement I have felt for some of our other trips and activities. To my surprise this was one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen in my life. (I'm not sure why I still get surprised considering every day we end up somewhere even more beautiful than the day before) The Sisters were so gracious and eager to show us around and answer any questions. I was enamored with the beauty of the buildings and the grounds, the beauty of their voices singing in church, and the beauty of their paintings of Icons. I was inspired by how the monastery also had an educational component for children, specifically environmental education. This was refreshing to see because often it feels like science and religion or environmental and religion are pitted against each other. I'm thankful for the opportunity to visit this beautiful place and learn so much in a short time.

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EC Eastern Security Studies Program

In the summer of 2011, as the "Arab Spring" was unfolding and the "Eurozone Crisis" was entering its second year, the Emmanuel College Eastern Mediterranean Security Studies Program was established in Crete, as a way to make the location the classroom. Beyond the grand theoretical, historical and political understanding that can be achieved through reading and classroom discussion and exchange, a more immediate, intimate and truer appreciation of the complexities can only achieved by experiencing the cultures, languages of personal interaction.

Since 2012 students have been able to combine an intensive curricular study, with the experience of immersion and living in a local setting. The geopolitical and geoeconomic forces that have acted in the region for centuries, can be identified in the classroom, but they can only be understood by being there. This year's EC EMSS Program will add a fourth week of study, experience and exploration and will also travel to the islands of Rhodes, and Cyprus. In Rhodes we will be partnering with the Prefecture of Southern Aegean and the Aegean University, while in Cyprus we will be hosted by the University of Nicosia.