UW Oshkosh

Education, Society, and Culture in Modern Greece

Volos, Larissa, Meteora, Makrinitsa, Athens - Greece; London - England
May 18 ~ June 8, 2009
Human Services 325, 411; Service Course 422/622
Faculty Leader: Courtney Bauder, 920-424-3019

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Experience Greek education, society, and culture while attending informational seminars in the seaside communities of Volos and Athens, two of the 2004 Summer Olympic cities. Participate in social service activities to observe practices addressing societal issues.

While in Volos, explore such places as the traditional villages of the Pelion mountain region of Thessaly, the majestic rock formations with ancient monasteries and ancient ruins at Meteora, the Athanassakeion Archaeological Museum of Volos and perhaps one of the outlying islands.

After departing Volos, travel to Athens and tour the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, the Akropolis with its Parthenon, the Plaka area, the Benakion Museum of Greek Civilization, the Greek National Historical Museum, and the Athens 2004 Olympic village building. These communities reflect urban, rural and diverse environments and offer unique opportunities for professional and personal growth.

Testimonial

Studying abroad will help anyone to expand their knowledge and give them experiences a classroom setting or textbook will never provide. Being a part of an entirely new cultural setting is exciting. Education abroad introduces you to a new culture, a new way of life. I am very thankful I was given this opportunity in my life!

Kim Eveland, 2007

Note: Individuals student teaching in the spring semester may still participate. Participants must work out the details in advance with the faculty leader in order to ensure that there aren't any conflicts with student teaching or with the clinical requirement in special education.

All of the information included here is subject to change. Modifications may be required depending on the exigencies of the situation.

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Course(s)

Course Dates

Inability or failure to attend may affect your participation, course grades and ability to receive and use financial aid. If you cannot attend, you must indicate this on your study abroad application.

Friday, April 17: 5-8pm in N/E 221

Friday, May 1: 5-8pm in N/E 221

Friday, May 8: 5-8pm in N/E 221

Choose one:

Human Services 325 3 units (crs.)
Intermediate Field Experience in Human Services
Prerequisite: Human Services 203, Human Services 310, a third Human Services course for a total of 9 units, and Admission I.

Human Services 411 3 units (crs.)
Laboratory in Human Services Program Planning
Prerequisite: Human Services 320, 340 and 360.

Service Courses in Education 422/622 3 units (crs.)
Contemporary Issues in Education
Courses may be repeated with change of topic to a maximum of 9 units (crs.).

Course Objectives

Specific activities include readings that focus on the history and culture of modern Greece as well as the nature, structure and development of the educational system.

Students will:

  • learn skills for working with children and families from diverse cultural backgrounds;
  • better understand variations in beliefs, traditions, and values across cultures within and the effect of the relationships among child, family, and schooling as related to special education placement and instructional decisions;
  • better understand the characteristics and effects on educational performance of the cultural and environmental milieu of the child and the family including cultural and linguistic diversity, socioeconomic level, abuse/neglect, and substance abuse;
  • learn to incorporate strategies that consider the influence of diversity on assessment, eligibility, programming, and placement of individuals with exceptional learning needs;
  • better understand cultural perspectives influencing the relationship among families, schools, and communities as related to effective instruction for individuals with exceptional learning needs;
  • learn to promote better understanding of diverse cultures and manifestation of cultural differences in classroom interactions; and
  • develop effective communication and collaborative strategies for relationships with professionals, families of children with disabilities, and families from culturally diverse backgrounds.

Optional Course

International Studies 333    1 unit (cr.)
Study Tour
Prerequisites: none; syllabus

If you request enrollment in this course on the study abroad application, you will be automatically enrolled and will not be contacted about the coursework involved. Assignments for this course must be done independently. Contact the Office of International Education with questions.


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Accommodation

All accommodation listed are tentative and will not be confirmed until approximately two weeks before travel.

Hotel Galaxy (C class/** hotel in Volos)

Address: 3, Agiou Nikolaou Str., 382 21 Volos, MAGNISSIA, THESSALIA; Phone: 011-30-2-421-020750, 20752; 011-30-2-421-031444. No meals are provided at this hotel.

Austria Hotel
The Austria Hotel is located next to the Acropolis in a quiet eminent and privileged area in the heart of Athens, away from the noise and every-day hectic most of Athens, in an environment within a discrete surrounding.
Address: Athens 27/9-1/6, 7 Mousson Street, Makrigianni, Athens, Greece; Tel: 011 30 210-9235151; Fax: 011 30 210-9247350; Email: austria@austriahotel.com

Kent Hall Hotel (London)
Kent Hall is a medium sized hotel 10-15 minutes from central London/Leicester Square by tube/underground (Manor House stop on the Picadilly Line) and only a short walk from the tube station, grocery store, chemist (pharmacy), bagel shop, fruit market, several small stores and a park. Rooms each have 6-7 beds, and many have a safe which will allow you to enter a unique PIN. There is a pay phone in the lobby which will accept American Express calling cards. Laundry service is available for a fee. Breakfast is served daily and is included in your program fee. There is WI-FI access for a fee; you will need to use internet cafes in London. Address: 414 Seven Sisters Road, London, N4 2LX; Tel: 011-44-20-8802-0800; Fax: 011-44-20-8802-9070; kenthall@dircon.co.uk.

Meals

Program participants buy all lunches and dinners daily in Volos & Athens and all meals in London on their own. Volos is relatively inexpensive compared to Athens. For example, a meal in Volos may cost you €4, while in Athens the same meal might cost €12-€18. In London, plan £7-10 per meal. An estimate for meal expenses for the entire program is included in the program costs section below.

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Schedule

Click HERE for a tentative detailed itinerary as of March 30, 2009

Tentative General Itinerary as of May 18, 2009

  • May 18: depart U.S.
  • May 19: arrive Athens, transfer to Volos
  • May 20:
  • May 21: Day trip to Makrinista “Balcony of Pelion” & Environmental Education Center
  • May 22: Service Learning Experience - visit to a Volos Orphange
    • May 23: Day trip to Meteroa – Greek monasteries in the hills
    • May 24: free day
    • May 25: Island Trip - Ferry ride for a day trip to the island of Skiathos
    • May 26: Service Learning Experience - visit Volos Municipality's Early Childhood Education Centers
  • May 27: transfer to Athens
  • May 28: Visit the Acropolis & the Athens Archaeological Museum
  • May 29: Day trip to the Hellenic American University in Athens to meet with Greek students
  • May 30: Service Learning Experience Day trips to Smile of a Child, a Non-profit organization serving children. Click here for a summary of the creation and mission of Smile of the Child
  • May 31: t.b.d.
  • June 1: 5:00AM transfer to airport; flight to London
  • June 2-7: Activities in London & surrounding area including:
    • Hop-on hop-off Big Bus tour
    • Tour & Production at the Globe Theatre
    • Day trip to Stonehenge, Bath and possibly Windsor
    • Visit the Tower of London
    • Visit to the British Museum
    • Two consecutive free days
  • June 8: transfer from accommodations to airport & return flight to Chicago O’Hare

      • The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh reserves the right to make changes to itineraries, travel arrangements, hotels, excursions, activities or other arrangements made necessary by factors beyond its control. On certain dates when some attractions or activities may not be available, UW Oshkosh reserves the right to substitute alternate attractions or activities.

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    Flight

    Luggage Limits

    Restrictions on carry-on baggage (British Airways).

    Restrictions on checked and excess baggage (British Airways).

    Convert kilograms to pounds.

    To book your flight:

    The OIE has reserved a block of airline tickets for your study abroad program, but YOU MUST PAY FOR YOUR AIRLINE TICKET DIRECTLY via the Student Universe webpage. 

    Once you complete Step III of the application process, your next step is to reserve your seat on the flight in this group of tickets. 

    A non-refundable deposit of $100.00 is due to Student Universe by January 30, 2009. After this date, payment in full is required to hold a ticket.  
    (This is not the same as the $100 application fee you submitted to our office to complete Step II of the application process.)

    To pay for your airline ticket:

    • Go to http://www.studentuniverse.com/study/uwosh and scroll down to the “Greece" section; then, click on “Education, Society & Culture in Modern Greece.”
    • Here, you will find the group flight information for your study abroad program, as well as payment information.
    • Prior to January 30, there was an option to pay a $100 deposit on the airline ticket.  However, since this deadline has passed, you must now pay the full $1,201.40 to reserve your ticket.  Please be sure to read the cancellation policy on the Student Universe webpage for your program (each group flight is different).
    • The full payment for the group flight must be paid no later than April 10, 2009, but reservations and the cost listed on the website until that date will be based on flight availability.
    • If you would like to schedule a flight deviation, or do not wish to fly with the group, please let me know as soon as possible.

    If you are not able to make the payment by that deadline, please let me know as soon as possible.

    As you will see, the fuel charge is only an estimate until you finalize your airline ticket.  Paying the deposit is NOT finalizing your ticket.  To secure a certain fuel charge, you must pay the airline ticket balance in full. 

    Depart UW Oshkosh

    Long-term parking is allowed on campus in parking lot 6 with a valid UW Oshkosh parking permit. Participants may park on campus for the duration of their study abroad experience, except for semester-long programs.

    Meeting Date & Time: Monday, May 18, 2009 at 10:15 AM

    Departure Time: 10:30 AM

    Departure Location: Parking Lot 6

    Flight

    May 18, 2009

    14:00 Arrive at Chicago O’Hare International Airport for check-in

    17:35 Depart on flight 296, British Airways

    May 19, 2009

    07:15 Arrive London Heathrow International Airport

    08:20 Depart on flight 640, British Airways

    14:00 Arrive at Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport

    June 1, 2009

    05:00 Arrive Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport for check-in

    08:15 Depart on flight 631, British Airways

    10:15 Arrive London Heathrow International Airport

    June 8, 2009

    07:30 Arrive London Heathrow International Airport for check-in

    11:40 Depart London on flight 295, British Airways

    14:05 Arrive Chicago O’Hare International Airport

    Return to UW Oshkosh

    Estimated date & time: Monday, June 8, 2009 at 18:30

    Return Location: Parking Lot 6

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    Fees

    The more who sign up for this program, the lower the cost per participant will be. You can help lower your cost to study abroad by recruiting friends and classmates to join you in this experience!

    °Indicates the expense will appear on your UW Oshkosh student account.

     

    GREECE - Program Fee Estimate (see below for London estimates)
    °$1,970
    		 Program fees are estimated at $1,720 - $1,970 based on 17-22 participants and projected exchange rates.
     
    Expenses in U.S. Dollars
    $100
    		 Application Fee ($200 for out-of-state applicants)
    $100
    		 Passport & Pictures
    $1,200.
    		 Airfare (approximate)
    varies
    		 Immunizations
    -$50
    		 Refund to eligible participants (through summer 2009 programs)
    $1,350
    		 Total Pre-travel Expense Estimate (plus immunizations)
       
    Expenses in Foreign Currency (Euro = €)
    €225
    		 Meals
    €45
    		 Local Transportation
    €40
    		 Other (Entrance fees €25; gifts for children in schools €15)
    €200
    		 Personal Spending Money (€110-€300; email = @ €1.25/hour)
    €510
    		 Total Expenses in Euros
    $735
    		 Total in U.S. Dollars as of 12/17/08 (today's rate of exchange)
     
    $4,055
    		 Total Estimated Expenses

     

    London - Program Fee Estimate
    °$990
    		 Program fees are estimated at $810 - $990 based on 10-19 participants and projected exchange rates.
     
    Expenses in U.S. Dollars
    $91
    		 Airfare (from Athens)
    $91
    		 Total Pre-travel Expense Estimate (plus immunizations)
       
    Expenses in Foreign Currency (Great British Pound= £)
    £70
    		 Meals
    £20
    		 Local Transportation
    £40
    		 Other (Entrance fees for free days)
    £150
    		 Personal Spending Money (€110-€300; email = @ €1.25/hour)
    £280
    		 Total Expenses in Euros
    $435
    		 Total in U.S. Dollars as of 12/17/08 (today's rate of exchange)
     
    $1,516
    		 Total Estimated Expenses

     

    Program fees cover course-related expenses (no tuition is assessed);airfare from Chicago O'Hare; transportation between Oshkosh and O'Hare by school bus; accommodations as listed on the finalized itinerary; daily continental breakfasts; inter-city transportation; organized tours/visits (not including local public transportation or entrance fees) listed on the finalized itinerary; post-travel party; pre-travel orientation; and international health insurance. The program itinerary may be tentative and will not be finalized until approximately two weeks before departure.

    Program fees do not cover items not specifically mentioned above such as trip cancellation and baggage insurance; passports; immunizations; airfare; all other food and beverages; gifts for children in schools; local public transportation to tours/visits associated with the itinerary and transportation costs not associated with the itinerary; entrance fees; textbooks; and all expenses of a purely personal nature. Estimates for some of these expenses have been included. Fees for a single room are available upon request.

    Estimates found here are based on the group rate for services and travel dates as well as current exchange rates, where applicable. Changes to this plan or a large exchange rate fluctuation may cause adjustments to the final cost.

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    Apply

    STEP I

    Read the study abroad application instructions and complete the GENERAL Office of International Education application as outlined on our Apply page.

    In addition, access PROGRAM-SPECIFIC application materials as needed from below on this page.

    STEP II

    Program-specific documents due by the application deadline.

    All application requirements are listed on the page linked just above. There are no additional program-specific application requirements.

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    Resources

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    Emergency Contact (during program dates)

    In a life and death emergency ABROAD

    U.S. Department of State Citizen Emergency Center (1-202-647-5225) will relay messages to the foreign Embassy. Embassy personnel may try to locate your student, pass on urgent messages and, consistent with the Privacy Act, report back.

    To reach your student directly

    If your student is staying in a hotel, use the hotel contact information listed on the web page for your student's program. The Office of International Education cannot give out private residence or homestay phone numbers unless authorized in advance by the student, but we will contact your student for you in an emergency.

    To reach someone at UW Oshkosh during office hours (7:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. M-F)

    • Office of International Education Phone: 1 (920) 424-0775
    • Office of the Associate Vice Chancellor Phone: 1 (920) 424-1410
    • Office of the Provost & Vice Chancellor Phone: 1 (920) 424-0300

    To reach someone at UW Oshkosh outside of normal office hours

    University Police: 1 (920) 424-1216

    To reach local contacts associated with our program ABROAD

    Courtney Bauder, faculty leader from UW Oshkosh, and Beatriz Contreras, staff assistant from UW Oshkosh, will accompany the group throughout the program. They can be reached using the contact information listed for the hotels above. Courtney Bauder will also be carrying a cell phone (# t.b.a. after arrival in Greece).

    Emergency C ontacts at Aristotle Travel (the travel agency arranging most of the itinerary):

    • VOLOS: Thekla Kammenou 011-30-24210-21607
    • ATHENS: Dino Roussos 011-30-6944344167; Fotini Kiamou 011-30-6398813325

    Time Zone Differences

    Greece

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    This page was last updated on: July 30, 2009

     

     

     

     

July 30, 2009