well the inevitable end is pretty much here

some people are leaving tonight while others including myself are leaving tomorrow night. I'm excited to be going to Nice but there was a terror act there last night right in the heart of a touristy area. My parents already told me I have to come straight home, but since when do I listen to them. I know I'll be fine but its just crazy to think that nay given day something like that could happen. I am a bit worried but the show must go one. I cant let fear control my life, this is something I wanted to do and I'm going to do it. The world isn't perfect.

This program has taught me so much and has made me come to the realization of so many things. so many first hand accounts. The people I have met, the places ive been, the experiences Ive had. I wouldnt trade these feelings for anything. It's definitely changed me but I would say in a good way.

I am kinda excited to be home on the 21st just to tell everyone all the things ive done and of course to eat shit quality food (I actually do miss that)

Well here is the final goodbye my bloggy. I've loved everything and all the new friends I have met. Keep on spinning world, without that I would have nothing to do :) peace love international studies

all the best,
Angela Brocco 

June 18, 2016

Today, the rest of the students arrived to the institute and it finally struck me that I don't know most of the people on this trip. There are 16 people on this trip with 16 different personalities and we are supposed to stay with each other for a whole month. I don't believe that it will cause problems, but it does make me excited to see what the month brings. So far, the villagers have been nothing but kind and welcoming and all of the students seem excited to embark on this adventure. I am slightly nervous about the food, but beyond that I am also excited for everything that is coming and I hope to make friendships that last with people from the village. I also hope to gain some form of understanding of what it is like to like in Greece and how everyone is managing and evolving in response to the economic crisis that took place last year and that still lingers today.

We made the paper!!!

at one of our lectures in this fancy room we had a mayor and a lawyer speak to us and they put us in the paper!!!

The days here make me so tired, maybe its the classes or maybe because it hotter here but its a lot. There's many things that we've done but I always forget to write about them. One thing that is also odd is that I haven't really taken any pictures while being in Rhodes, yea its nice but not nice enough to capture I guess. That also sounds a lot more harsh than I really mean. But damn this place has a completely different culture than crete or even athens but yet its all the same country. I'll never be able to get over that. Today was our last day of the program, class wise, and it doesnt feel real. I feel like theres so much more I need to learn, I dont want to let it all go 

The cats here are like tigers, huge and not putting up with your shit. hehehehe.

so we went to Lindos today about an hour and a half away. This place is hottttt man. It really upsets me how people have capitalized on donkeys and force them to go up and down hills in this crazy heat with fat tourist on their back just so the owner can make a quick buck. I call that animal cruelty, many tearssss. The acropolis there was cool. Its crazy to see how it was converted for so many different empires. Same building just different names. the beach there was much nicer and the perfect temperature.  The of Rhodes is coming and even though I like Crete better it hurts to say goodbye once again. 

Day One Down

June 17, 2016

Upon arriving in Chania, there are some things that I immediately notice. At the airport, not many people could speak English and those who could weren't much help because I didn't know where I was going. From my understanding, Crete is set up in villages with very few towns/cities. Also, the concept of an address does not seem to be very prevalent here. On one hand I wanted to tap into my American mindset and say that none of it made sense, but on the other hand I loved the set up of Crete. To maneuver through Crete you must know it. You must know the villages, and you have to be willing to speak to other people to receive directions to get to your destination if you're lost. Khleo asked multiple people for directions when we got lost on our way to the institute and at first I would keep suggesting that we use GPS, but she would keep saying "No, it's okay I prefer to ask." My first day in Crete really showed me how out of my element I was, but this also showed me that I could honestly have a life changing experience as cliche as it sounds.

I can’t believe the program is over. The first day in Crete felt so long and then after that it flew by. I’m really glad I decided to come on this trip. I was really nervous to come because I didn’t know anyone and I had heard that the classes were really challenging. I’m happy to say that I’ve made so many great friends (can’t wait to see all of you in September) and that I survived Yota and our other two classes. Petros hypes everything up, but for this trip he was spot on. Its going to be so strange landing in Boston tomorrow and not eating meals with everyone or going to bed saying goodnight to Katie, Tess and Laryssa. I’m going to feel so lost! I hope everyone had just as much fun as I did and were able to make a lot of great memories.

Last day

I can't believe today is the last day of our program! I always joke that Petros always over hypes things but this program truly lived up to his praise, if not, more! Before coming, I was excited but also really nervous. I had no idea what I was getting myself into and I only knew two people coming on the trip. I'm so lucky to say that this trip allowed learn more about the Mediterranean, sight see, eat yummy food, make some really amazing friends and also learn more about myself--apparently I sleep a lot?! Just kidding, I knew that.
I also thought this trip would help me understand more about the problems our world is currently facing but in fact, I think I am leaving with more questions. This program is very intense and sometimes, it can feel like we are going a hundred miles a minute. This was a hard adjustment as a lot of us thought we were going to run on island time the entire trip. However, just miles from us, there are refugee boats that are being capsized. As I write this blog, I can see Turkey just 11 miles away across the water. I thought I would find solutions to the issues we have been discussing for the past 4 weeks, but I think I'm more confused than ever. As the simulation between the EU, UN, and NATO groups taught us today, the issues around the world are very complex. There is no sole solution or policy to tackle state failure, the refugee crisis, economic collapse or food insecurity. Such issues are all interconnected and it is always changing. Overall, this program has taught me to be more curious and to stay aware and involved with the issues happening in our world.

THANK YOU ALL <3
Tess

ME...This whole trip...

The concert on Wednesday night was everything I wanted it to be. I had asked Petros in March if we would be able to attend a concert in ancient theatre or stadium and of course he made it happen. Although the generator blew and we were hanging out for a couple of hours enjoying souvlaki it was really worth the wait. The music was nothing less than incredible. For anyone who didn’t go, you really missed out. The acoustics of the outdoor stadium really made it that much better. It was so powerful hearing everyone clap and sing along. I didn’t understand any of it but I could tell that the lyrics were really powerful. Going to the concert was on my top five things we did this trip.

.....
 so Rhodes is great and it has its own characteristics but I have not felt any culture shock until coming here. I just don't understand this place. The traditional culture is gone, even from just the looks of it. Maybe its because we are a touristy spot but this whole place feels like a giant frat house. Damn Germans and Sweeds everywhere, they're a bit too upfront. I miss Crete and our little village where people spoke greek first, here they just assume and say "hello" instead of "yasas" first. Which makes me sad because its harder to practice my greek. I'm afraid I'm going to loose it when I go back to the states. Maybe when I'm Vamvakas' classes I'll speak greek to him. aka hello, how are you, goodbye, thank you. hahaha its still something though. Also there's a lot (Im assuming their title) gypsies around. Mostly young kids playing the accordion sitting on the street and asking for money. I feel so bad turning my head to them. It's also upsetting because they don't know any other life. The world is weird my friend   

The Great Magistrate’s Palace was something so incredible and well maintained. Its hard to believe that it used to be a summer home. The architecture was a clash of pagan gods and Christianity. Although we were running around trying to find everything on the scavenger hunt list I managed to get some awesome pictures. I just wish we went when the rest of the exhibits were open. I would have really loved to see the rest of it.