EC EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN SUMMER PROGRAMS: Excursion week!

Monday, June 17, 2024

Excursion week!

Goat with Goat

This weekend was a tough one! A handful of days that showed our resistance and strength. We conquered the Samaria Gorge, some of us for the first and others for our second or third time. We kept our heads high and our spirits higher with a good pace and respect for everyone in our group. After we finished we sat for a few with a glass of orange juice (or two) and some ice cream! Then some of us gained the courage to take the goat paths up to the ottoman ruins which have such an incredible view of the ocean, surrounding islands and the beach down below. Such a rewarding experience (except when Dr. Vamvakas summoned a goat by accident…). The architecture of the structure is powerful and provides a glimpse into the past where you can imagine what life could have looked like for these people. Taking the path down shows how hard it could have been to take over because of how difficult and steep it was. After a quick dip and a lemon fanta, we were off, from the boat to the bus and back to the institute where we were greeted by the love and joy from the mamas. The next day we were all packed and heading to the Chania airport, a very quick turn around that was met with some stress and excitement. Touchdown in Malta and off to the University of Malta where we got a good meal to eat and a comfy place to sleep after a long weekend. This week will kick off our travel to both Malta and Cyprus before our return home to Alikianos for our last week. Having a great time and learning so much about this area just by getting the immersive learning experience.

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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.