EC EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN SUMMER PROGRAMS: Life in Crete so Far!

Thursday, June 13, 2024

Life in Crete so Far!

Γειά σου! Hello! It's officially almost the end of the second week of the program, and time is flying by. I knew coming into this that time was going to go by quick, but living at the Institute makes me understand why it feels like I got here yesterday.

Christian, Tin, Caroline, Julia & I with Tin's new souvenir

Our days have been packed with engaging classes, incredible meals, beautiful beaches, and rich cultural experiences. We spent our first week mostly getting used to our location, our schedule, and debating which beach we liked the most (we can never decide... there's so many).

Beaches!

After we got adjusted, our regular schedules began. Our classes have been directly connected to what we've been doing across the island and have provoked so many moments of reflection and realization of the importance of this location. We have visited a few historic sights, like the Monastery of Arkadi, the Military Museum of Chromonastiri, and the Allied War Cemetery in Suda Bay. Each site has come with new lessons about the geopolitics and history of Crete and the region as a whole. We have also been fortunate enough to receive lectures at the University of Crete regarding sustainability in the Mediterranean this past Tuesday and also the issue of immigration in and around the Mediterranean this past Wednesday. There are so many opportunities to learn; it's been incredible to be surrounded by so much history and knowledge.

Suda Bay Allied War Cemetery

The Monastery of Arkadi

The Military Museum of Chromonastiri

Along with learning about this island has come learning more about myself. I've learned that I really should try new things (including the snails below) because it's truly a way to enrich the experience and find new things you love. I've also learned how to become comfortable with adjusting very quickly to a brand new place and culture, and even begin to speak the language. Speaking of, we got to attend a local concert with local artists performing Cretan music, and I've realized how much I love it. We even got to get up on stage and learn how to dance to the music together. I am truly appreciating being pushed out of my comfort zone, and continue to want to do so each day.

Local concert!

New dish!

On our walk around the village (with a view)

This Saturday, we'll be headed to cross the gorge, which will be another push out of our comfort zones. Updates to come! We'll also be departing for Malta on Sunday... there's still so much time and learning left to do on this trip, I can't wait for all that's to come :)

- Kaitlin Wojcik

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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.