Itinerary (may be subject to change due to availability & schedule) Study Abroad Program Title: Olympic Spirit: History, Culture & Lifestyle Dates: May 24 – June 6 Lead Professor: Dr. Athanasios “Ethan” Strigkas; Associate Professor at Indiana State University in the ‘Department of Kinesiology, Recreation & Sport’. Dr. Strigas has been teaching sport management courses for the past 18 years. His expertise is in international sport governance and issues related to diversity and inclusion, sport ethics and integrity, and volunteerism. Currently, he serves as the Vice President of the Greek Tae Kwon Do Federation, and he is chairing the Diversity and Inclusion Committee for the European Tae Kwon Do Union (the European Confederation of the Olympic Tae Kwon Do). His research work on volunteerism has been globally recognized; in 2009 he was invited to do consulting work on volunteers with the 2009 Inaugural Formula1 (F1) Etihad Airlines Grant Prix in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Day 0: Tuesday May 23: Fly out from USA to Thessaloniki International Airport (SKG) Day 1: Wednesday May 24: ARRIVAL / SPORT‐BONDING ACTIVITIES/ OUTDOOR‐SITTING DINNER @ DEAN’S GARDEN Time – TBA: Arrive (SKG) Thessaloniki International Airport Bus Transfer to the American Farm School/Perrotis College Campus Wi‐Fi registration of our electronic devises Orientation – Welcome to Greece: An introduction to the program, learn basic Greek & more! Settle into rooms & if time permits it we will organize sport‐bonding activities on campus Dinner on campus at the Dean’s House (Mrs. Eva Kanellis): outdoor sitting at the dean’s garden (included) Overnight on campus (Thessaloniki) 1 Day 2: Thursday May 25: LECTURES / THESSALONIKI CITY TOUR/ OLYMPIC SPORT MUSEUM Breakfast on campus @ 8:00 a.m. (Continuation if needed) Orientation – Tour of the American Farm School (campus and farm) – History and Mission of the School 10:00am: Drive downtown‐Thessaloniki: Thessaloniki City Tour Lunch Downtown (on your own) 2:30pm: Visit the Olympic Sport Museum o The Olympic Sport Museum is the conservation of sport heritage and the promotion of the cultural side of sport, missions that are accomplished in actual fact through permanent or temporary exhibitions, main feature of which is the information and communication with the public of Thessaloniki but also the wider area. 3:30pm: Walk to the Old City Walls 4:30pm: Drive to AFS campus 5:30pm: LECTURE #1: Dr. Constantine S. Psimopoulos: “The Olympic Spirit & Olympism” o Dr. Constantine Psimopoulos is Faculty at Harvard University and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. He teaches Ethics in Sport / Sport Philosophy and also serves as a Research Assistant to the George Seferis Chair of Modern Greek Studies in the Classics Department at Harvard. Constantine's secondary role at Harvard is on the Community advisory committee to Harvard's School of Public Health Prevention Research Center, overseeing nutrition and physical activity policy research projects funded by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the United States Federal Government). Prior to Harvard and MIT, he was a tenure‐track Assistant Professor of Physical Education and Sport in New York, and before that a Lecturer at The Ohio State University (OSU). 7:00pm: LECTURE #2: Mrs. Voula Patelidou “My Story as an Olympic Gold Champion” o Voula Patelidou was the Golden Olympic winner in the 100m hurdles at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992 and she has served as prestigious member & founder in several Olympic‐related Associations. 9:00pm: dinner on campus Overnight on campus (Thessaloniki) Day 3: Friday May 26: LECTURE/ 2 SPORT VISITATIONS: YMCA & PAOK BC/ VISIT OPEN MARKET Breakfast on campus @ 8:00 a.m. 9:00am: LECTURE #3: Dr. Ethan Strigkas: “Exploring & Understanding the Sport Management Industry in the EU: The case of the Greek Sport Establishment” 10:45am: Drive downtown to the YMCA o Tour the YMCA Facility & Museum (History of the Club & Greek Basketball) o Y.M.C.A Thessaloniki was founded in 1921 as an affiliate of the Y. M.C.A. International organization, which is one of the oldest and largest movements for youth, operating in 199 countries worldwide. The mission of the organization is the balanced development of mind, body and soul, as well as the proper socialization of young people 12:30pm: Tour of the Traditional Open Market o The Traditional Open Market of Thessaloniki is one of the most traditional markets in town and the most authentic experiences any food lover could get! It has been part of the Thessalonians life for about 80 years. You can find various food types from meat, herbs, clothes, sweets & more! 2 2:00pm: free time to eat lunch (on your own) 3:30pm: Tour of PAOK (Professional Basketball Club) o PAOK B.C. (basketball club) was founded in 1926 and is based in Thessaloniki. It holds a firm reputation in Greek basketball due to its successful wins in European competitions. 5:30pm: Depart back to Perrotis College Campus 6:00pm: Sport‐bonding games and/or movie night on campus 8:00pm Dinner on campus (included) Overnight on campus (Thessaloniki) Day 4: Saturday May 27: FREE DAT AT THE BEACH: EXPLORE ONE OF GREECE’S BEST BEACHES! Breakfast on campus 8:00 a.m. 8:30am: Drive to Alexander the Great Beach Hotel (Kriopigi, Halkidiki) o Kriopigi is located in Kassandra, Halkidiki and it is a seaside village built on a hill full of pine trees overlooking Toroneos Gulf. The beach is popularly known due its crystal clear blue waters.= 10:00am: @ Hotel Conference Hall: LECTURE #4: Dr. Ethan Strigkas: “How HIGH is My Cultural Intelligence (CQ): Enhancing students’ capability to relate and work effectively across cultures” Free day spent on the beach Lunch on your own Return to Thessaloniki at 7:00 p.m. 8:00pm: Dinner on campus (included) Overnight on campus (Thessaloniki) Day 5: Sunday May 28: MOUNT OLYMPUS HIKE & FREE TIME @ THE BEACH Breakfast at 7:00 a.m. 8:00am: Depart for Mount Olympus (approx. 1hr & 30min drive) o Mount Olympus is the highest mountain in Greece and the second highest mountain in the Balkans. The highest peak rises to 9,573 feet! In Greek mythology, Olympus was the home of the 12 Olympian gods in the Ancient Greek world. 10:00am: Trekking through Enipea Canyon (underneath Mount Olympus) o Approximately 6 mile walk with elevation of 750 o Walking duration can last anywhere between 4 to 5 hours 3:00pm: (approximately) Pick up group & drop off at Katerini – Olympic Beach Free time to eat lunch, go swimming Dinner on your own Overnight in Katerini (Olympic Beach) 3 Day 6: Monday May 29: DRIVE THROUGH GREECE’S BEAUTIFUL VILLAGES WITH STOPS ALONG THE WAY TO REACH THE ONE & ONLY ANCIENT OLYMPIA! Breakfast at hotel from 7:00am 8:00am: load bus and depart for Ancient Olympia (approximately 7hr drive) Stop at Nafpaktos for lunch & break o Nafpaktos is a picturesque city in a historic region with traditional villages and beaches with crystal clear waters. It has survived 30 centuries of turbulent history but still stands as a beautiful port city with a medieval character to it. We will stop here for our main lunch and the opportunity to walk around the city, take pictures and take in all the glory. 7:00pm: (approximately) arrive at our hotel in Olympia, check – in 8:00pm: Drive to Pandelina Shop (5min drive) where the students will have a great tasting experience of authentic Greek wine & olive oil. You will dip you bread in various types of local olive oil. There are also dozens of Greek authentic home made products to buy for friends & family if one wishes to do so. Dinner on your own Overnight in Ancient Olympia Day 7: Tuesday May 30: Ancient Olympia‐ birthplace of the Ancient Olympic Games/ Special day to learn all about its marvelous history & most exciting of all; to run on the grounds of the ancient Olympic stadium! Breakfast at hotel from 7:00am 9:00am: Meet our expert Tour guide @ hotel reception & walk to the Ancient Olympia Museum 9:00am – 10:30pm: Ancient Olympia Museum Tour o The Archaeological Museum of Olympia, one of the most important museums in Greece, presents the long history of the most celebrated sanctuary of antiquity, the sanctuary of Zeus, father of both gods and men, where the Olympic Games were born. 10:45am – 12:30pm: Ancient Olympia Archeological Site Tour with expert English speaking guide o In the 10th century B.C., Olympia became a center for the worship of Zeus. The Altis – the sanctuary to the gods – has one of the highest concentrations of masterpieces from the ancient Greek world. In addition to temples, there are the remains of all the sports structures erected for the Olympic Games, which were held in Olympia every four years beginning in 776 B.C. 1:00pm – 2:30pm: free time for lunch (on your own) 2:30pm: drive to Nafplio (approx. 2hrs & 30min drive) 5:00pm: approximately arrive Nafplio o Nafpio is a beautiful seaport town in Peloponnese region of Greece. Nafplio was the capital of the First Hellenic Republic and of the Kingdom of Greece, from the start of the Greek Revolution in 1821 until 1834. Remaining hours free to enjoy the beach & the beautiful town 9:00pm: dinner at traditional tavern by the water overlooking the Bourtzi (included) Overnight in Nafplio 4 Day 8: Wednesday May 31: Walk 999 steps up the Palamidi Castle/ discover Epidauros; ancient healing center/ enjoy the beautiful Corinth Canal Breakfast at hotel from 7:00am 9:00am – 11:30am: Palamidi Castle Tour with expert English speaking guide o Palamidi Castle is a fortress in Nafplio on a beautiful hill that is 216 meters high (708 feet high).