Greek Food and Culture

Name: Greek Food and Culture
Brand: GEO Study Abroad
SKU: 240696
Rating: 5 (1 reviews)

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Location

Greece
- Athens

Term

Summer

Subject Areas

Culinary Arts Cultural Studies European Studies Food Science and Nutrition

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Program Details

Program Type

Faculty Led

Degree Level

Bachelors

Pricing

Starting Price

6000

Price Details

Included in Program Costs: Program Tuition, Excursions, Housing, Local Transportation, Some meals, Course materials, Medical insurance, On-site orientation, Pre-departure and onsite support.

What's Included

Activities Classes Some Meals Transportation Travel Insurance

What's Not Included

Airfare Domestic Airfare SIM cards Visa

Last Updated: Jan 28, 2019

Last Reviewed: Sep 19, 2019

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3 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Study the food and culture of Greece in this three-week summer program! Students will stay in hostels and hotels as they are constantly on the move visiting locations near Athens, Kea and Crete to explore food as it relates to the history and culture of Greece. From readings to site visits featuring food producers, farmers and vintners, as well as chefs, cooks and entrepreneurs, students will learn about food sustainability and the business that preserve and celebrate Greek culture through food.

This program is taught in English and open to all majors, but it is particularly suitable for students in food studies, business, environmental studies, sociology, international studies, geography, humanities and anthropology.

This program is currently not being promoted on Go Overseas by its provider. Check with GEO Study Abroad for the most up-to-date information regarding the status of this program.

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Program Highlights

Explore Greece through visits to Athens, Kea and Crete.
Dive into the culinary traditions and culture of Greece.
Learn from experts in all aspects of food studies, sustainability and production.

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This was my very first time out of the country, so I was nervous traveling alone to another country, flights being overbooked, and transportation considering the language barrier. Of course, everything went as planned with little issue. Arriving in Greece is a combination of a postcard worthy setting filled with humble and friendly layers. I became close with the group I was a part of, and traveled from Athens to the Peloponnese to Crete, and more. We had the best guide with us to translate as needed and who knows the territory well. Learning and actively experiencing the subcultures within a single country was eye opening and surreal.

From late, traditional Greek dinners to honey and acorn farms to historical landmarks to the several wineries attended not only taught the subtleties of the culture but helped in understanding the people through the shared commonality of food. Owners of restaurants will sit with you, happily chatter away, and honestly advise what menu items to choose based on the freshest ingredients obtained that day. They'll sometimes even throw in free drinks and enjoy them with you! Since most eating happens outdoors, servers not only fulfill their serving duties, but go above and beyond, staying around to share stories while also ensuring that random, usually homeless people aren't being bothersome. The people I met were just that friendly, just that considerate, and just that hospitable. I highly recommend this program for those looking for a short and sweet experience that is still fulfilling and memorable.

What would you improve about this program?

Every day was packed full of activities starting in the early morning to late evenings- making it difficult to be fully alert the next day with minimal sleep. A lot of this was due to six credit courses having mandatory requirements that must be met. This, however, has already been changed so that students don't feel burned out.

A famous cook in Greece hosted us as we all helped her prepare a traditional Greek feast. We rolled dough, cut and prepared vegetables to various dishes, and learned about her journey as a successful chef who still gives her food scraps to her neighbor's pigs in return for fresh eggs and honey.

This is a monastery we visited to stray away from the food scene and focus more on Greek culture and history. In order to access such sacred grounds, women must wear a long dress or skirt, with shoulders completely covered, to show respect. Luckily, I dressed accordingly. Those who weren't, however, weren't allowed entry unless they wore a shawl and long skirt supplied to them in the event of these occurrences.

Kea is a small Greek island that is beautiful in scenery and people. The surrounding bodies of water is stunning, hence why I hoped this pictures justifies the beauty I witnessed.

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Questions & Answers

Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Why did you choose this program?

I chose this program because I personally knew the staff member leading the trip, the shorter program would be a great first taste abroad, and who doesn’t want to earn college credit by eating food and learning about Greece’s historical culture?!

GEO Study Abroad is also very informative and helpful with any and every possible question I asked.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

The only thing I organized on my own was booking my flight and getting to the group’s meeting point. Everything else they assisted with, and they even referred me to some great websites for affordable flights!

There were a couple of pre departure meetings to meet the other students in the program, what to expect, and how to prepare.

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What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

Let loose, be social, and have fun! This trip was all about meeting people and learning about their take on food culture. There isn’t much time to feel alone because you aren’t! You have a group you grow to know well who are with you most of the time as well as people in Greece who are very entertaining and easy to talk to, so be in the moment now so you don’t look back on the experience with any regrets.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

I hear it’s a little different now, but I’m sure it’s still a busy program. From early mornings to very late dinners in the evenings, the days are filled with private tours, farms, wineries, traveling to various cities, and more! There was so much to do every day it was hard to catch up on sleep. It was still so much fun, though!

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

My biggest fear was traveling on my own away from friends and family. I know it’s a common fear, but as long as you ensure to meet people and make some of those connections on your own, you’ll be fine. Also, programs like this one already form groups ahead of time so there is already some familiarity before exploring another country, which was very helpful.

People can worry about the aspect of safety. Did you feel safe while studying abroad?

Safety measures were already brought up and explained. Past programs had students who had their phone and belongings stolen when out and about, so it’s crucial to keep an eye on your belongings at all times and bring the minimum with you. Already going in knowing that helped a lot and I never experienced any issues.

About GEO Study Abroad

At Global Education Oregon, we create pathways to international, experiential learning for students, faculty, and university partners. Founded on the belief that international engagement is integral to developing global citizens, we prepare students for a 21st century workforce, creating exceptional academic and professional development...