After One Week!

We can safely assess that the first week of this inaugural program has been successful. A very rigorous daily schedule, which included six hours in-class, guest lectures, events, after-hour discussions, daily beach and nature excursions and certainly a Cretan diet. A diet that has been delivered to us by two very wonderful and motherly ladies at the Institute of Cretan Studies, and a diet whose political dimensions we discussed at two off-campus events. At a SYRIZA political event, a representative of the leading party in the polls, discussed EU Common agricultural politics and the Cretan Diet dimension. On Wednesday, we visited with Dr. Alifierakis, a leading cardiologist, who advanced the medical benefits of the Cretan diet, and how such an emphasis could help the health as well as the economic standing of local farmers, who are desperately searching for a niche in a global market.

The classes have been rigorous and demanding especially for the nine students that are opting to study Greek through an additional course. The homework and readings have been heavy and have accompanied many to the beach and during late-night sessions. Everyone has ventured off campus either to visit a local coffee shop, pick an orange or an apricot from a local farm, go for a run or a bike ride or even get a haircut. We have been welcomed by the local community warmly and we have provided a much-needed positive note to the local society at a time when this sunny country, which usually matches people's natural disposition, is experiencing uncharacteristic melancholy and dejection due to the economic crisis, that's all around. The twelve Emmanuel College students and this program, has been positive for this local community, and the appreciation is shown to the students at every turn. 

On Saturday morning, we crossed the Gorge of Samaria on foot, which is 13 km, but the total distance walked is 18 km! We started from an elevation of 4100 feet and eventually ended at the beach of Agia Roumeli at the southern side of the island, facing the Libyan Sea. A number of students claimed that they could see Libya from there, and they will now claim that they understand African politics!

However, my favorite part of this program thus far is the vigorous discussions that I overhear during dinner, or the students that I'm asked about the issues and topics that we review in class and follow on this island, in this country in the region of cross-roads at a time of crisis.

More to come, as we have a late start to our Sunday and excursion at the beach of ancient Falasarna.

On Monday we will visit the mayor of the local municipality, and have a chance to ask questions regrading the Eurozone and the effects of the crisis upon local municipalities. On Thursday we are visiting the NATO base at Suda, and we are awaiting the arrival of Professor Martin and Professor Kulich, who will lecture and make presentations in the program, later this week.

More on Greece's Geopolitical Importance

 As we are diving into the frameworks of both Mediterranean democracy/ geopolitics and the Eurozone crisis we have had the unique opportunity to directly experience what we learning via the environment around us! Just in the first week of being here we have spoken with locals who have been directly affected by the crisis and even had the incredible opportunity to attend a local political rally supporting Greece's Syriza party. With elections right around the corner,  the way in which this program has allowed us as students to actually feel the political energy of a state on the brink of drastic changes has been truly incredible.

Syriza Party Poster from Tuesday's rally

One theme which seems to continue to be at the forefront of our conversations in class is the unquestioned geopolitical importance of Greece.  It is, as we have heard Professor Vamvakas say countless times, a crossroad between the East and West.  But what are the implications of this position?

The article that I have linked here discusses many of the issues that have not just been debated in class but have actually become familiarized to us in just six days of being here in Crete. These issues are the ones dominating the conversations we pass by in public meeting spaces. They are the issues that we heard farmers questioning the Syriza party about at the rally on Tuesday night. And though this article certainly does not have the answers to the problems faced by Greece, it certainly has some interesting points in terms of the cultural and geopolitical themes that we have been constructing over the past four days!

Hope this adds to our discussion! Enjoy!

Is Greece European? By Robert D. Kaplan

The Program's Official Start

The inaugural program of the Emmanuel College Summer Institute in Greece has officially begun. The EC Eastern Mediterranean Security Studies certificate program is officially underway with the best omens. We arrived in Crete last Friday, after a long flight -- three planes and two layover -- and have quickly adjusted to the 7-hour difference and cloudless skies of southern Greece. These last three days the EC students have had a chance to taste a sampling of local hospitality and visit a sites and beaches on the island and make some local friends already.

I'm often asked by students to hold class outdoors.
This time I gave in.

Last night in a brief and nice ceremony the EC faculty and students were welcomed by the President of the Institute of Cretan Studies, Professor Kapsomenos, and Ms. Katerina Kolokytha, representative of the Mayor's office of the municipality of Platania. They both expressed their hope that this EC program at the Cretan Institute is a first step in a long relationship that will foster greater mutual understanding of the two cultures, contribute to mutual academic learning, and help future leaders work toward greater economic opportunity and social justice.

Crete Chania

EC Security Studies Program.mov