Greece-Italy May 2014

 


FROM THE TOUR COORDINATOR
Robson Marinho, PhD


Countdown!

ONLY 45 DAYS LEFT! Our tour is around the corner! It is time to start packing. Check the latest news!

Study Tour Registration and Clearance

Thanks to all participants who already registered for the Tour. A couple of you still need to register, so please make sure to register by May 7, so you can have enough time to get financial clearance and avoid last-minute problems. Here is what you will register for: 

• Doctoral participants: LEAD778 Higher Education Study Tour (6 credits)
• Master participants: LEAD678 Higher Education Study Tour (6 credits)

Please keep in mind that, after registration, you need financial clearance and full payment or financial aid arrangements prior to the trip. Vicky Thompson has been assisting several participants to get financial clearance, so please make sure to contact the Student Financial Services for financial approval. The contact information is: Vicki Thompson (vlt@andrews.edu) at the Andrews Financial Services (269-471-6995).
For registration, please click on Registration Central at www.andrews.edu 

Dress code

We will wear casual most of the time, but make sure to have business casual for the days when we will visit the universities. You can plan on light clothing since it is summer in Europe and the temperature is expected to be around 70 degrees. However, make sure to bring a light sweater also because at night the temperature may drop to the low 60s. Don’t forget comfortable shoes for long walks.

Tour T-Shirts

We will travel wearing our special t-shirts with the tour logo on. The Study Tour will provide one shirt for each participant, but you can buy extra ones for $12.00 a piece if you so wish. 





Those are just samples. Rozenia Marinho will contact you soon for your selection of color and size.

Packing List

For those who need a reminder, we are suggesting a tentative packing list to make your trip easier and safer. The list includes detailed items such as personal toiletries, relaxed summer pants, comfortable shoes, sunglasses, money cards, light sweater or fleece jacket, electronics, small first aid kit, passport and document holder, and many other items to make your trip comfortable and pleasant. Please see the complete list on the right menu bar as a planning guide for your trip.

Helpful Info

• Cell phone – Make sure to setup an international plan with your cell phone provider so you can have reduced rates. AT&T has a very convenient World Connect plan.
• Money – The safest way to carry your money is using either credit card or debit card. But make sure to have some cash also, because sometimes ATM machines only accept local cards. Make sure to inform your bank account manager that you will be travelling abroad so they don’t block your account. Also keep in mind that most banks charge between 1% and 3% as international transaction fees.
• DON’T FORGET YOUR PASSPORT!

Bus ride to the Chicago Airport

For the on-campus and nearby participants, we will have a bus leaving from the School of Education parking lot on Sunday, June 15, at 9:30 am, so to meet at the O’Hare airport at 12:00 noon. Please check the tentative list below, and email me your confirmation as soon as possible since we will select the van according to number of passengers:

1. Alisa Lashley
2. Heather Day
3. Heather Ferguson
4. Renaude Saint-Phard
5. Rozenia Marinho
6. Robson Marinho

Volunteer Support Team

Our support team is almost complete, so many thanks to the volunteer! We still have openings for devotionals, so if you want to join our support team, please email me about your preference. So far, this is our Volunteer Support Team:

TASK	VOLUNTEER TEAM
Spiritual Coordinator	Seth Bardu
Devotional Team	Yvonna Applewhite, (others?)
Photographer	Carolynn Irby
Tour Secretary	Monica Wringer
Health Assistant	Heather Ferguson
Bloggler	Cheri Gregory
Writing Support	Heather Day
Tour Assistant	Rozenia Marinho
Other Roles

Tour Syllabus and Textbook

As announced last month, please see  the Course Syllabus for our Study Tour on the right side menu bar, with detailed information on required readings and course assignments. In short, these are the course assignments:

Assignment #1 – Study Tour Field Experience

Assignment #2 – Book Reviews (Due Date: July 31)

Assignment #3 – Research Article (Due Date: July 31)

Assignment #4 – Forum Discussion on Moodle

Forum Discussion:

May 22 to July 31 – Beginning May 22, participants will engage in pre-travel weekly discussion on Moodle addressing the readings, which will continue upon return until July 31.  Participants are expected to engage in meaningful interaction with classmates addressing the topics posted on Moodle.

Textbooks:

Make sure to order your textbooks now, so you have a chance to read them prior to the trip and participate in the discussions. The textbooks are both available at http://www.amazon.com: 

Wildavsky, Ben (2010). The Great Brain Race: How Global Universities Are Reshaping the World. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. ISBN-13: 9780691146898 (Kindle available).

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Guruz, K. (2011). Higher Education and International Student Mobility in the Global Knowledge Economy. Albany: State University of New York Press.

Roommates List

Alisa Lashley and  Heather Day

Catherine Mahrt-Washington and  Monica Wringer

Deborah Weithers and  Heather Ferguson

Ebony Tyler and  Carolynn Irby

Michael D. Ballantine and  Cheolmin Jo

Renaude Saint-Phard and  Rose Monroe

Sharese Swafford and  Yvonna Applewhite

Seth Bardu (single room)

Eileen Ruth Kooreman and  Jack Kooreman

Cheri Gregory and  Daniel Gregory

Robson Marinho and  Rozenia Marinho

Tour Itinerary

Day 1, Sunday June 15 - DEPART USA

Depart from Chicago O'Hare to Rome at 3:45 pm, Flight Number: AC 7416

Day 2, Monday, June 16: ROME ARRIVAL
Upon arrival at Rome airport, meet the local representative and transfer to hotel in Rome. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Daniela.

 

Day 3, Tuesday, June 17: ROME (Full day tour)

We enjoy a morning panoramic guided tour of Rome and St. Peter's square. Then we will visit the Roman Forum, walking along the ancient pavement and see ruins of the Curia and the Reggia. We will then admire the Temple of Vesta, the Arch of Titus and the Arch of Costantine. The tour will continue with the visit of the massive structure of the Colosseum (inside visit). Originally named Flavian Amphitheatre it is a giant amphitheatre used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles. The amphitheatre, the largest ever built in the Roman Empire, was completed in 80 AD under Titus, with further modifications being made during Domitian's reign. Lunch in a local restaurant.

Return to hotel in late afternoon. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 4: Wednesday, June 18: ROME–PISA–FLORENCE
Breakfast at hotel.

8:30 to 11:00 am: Educational Session and campus tour at University of Rome La Sapienza

Depart to Pisa to see the incredible Leaning Tower and the Cathedral in the "Square of Miracles". Continue on to Florence where we arrive in the afternoon. Lunch en route restaurant. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Touring in Montecatini.

Day 5: Thursday, June 19: FLORENCE
Morning: Educational Sessions and campus tour at University of Florence.

Lunch in local restaurant.

Afternoon: Sightseeing tour with our guide, to see Piazza Santa Croce; Piazza Signoria; Palazzo Vecchio and its courtyard; Loggia dei Lanzi; Piazza del Duomo and its cathedral with the Giotto Campanile, and the magnificent East Door of the Baptistry, known as the “Gate of Paradise.”

4:00 to 6:00 pm: Educational Session and campus tour at Italian Adventist College Villa Aurora

Dinner and overnight at hotel in Florence

Day 6, Friday, June 20: FLORENCE - BOLOGNA-VENICE
Breakfast and check out of rooms. Drive to Bologna for about 1h30min. Upon arrival, Educational Session and campus tour at University of Bologna.

Lunch at local restaurant.

In the afternoon depart to Venice for check-in at Hotel Mondial in Mestre. Dinner and overnight

Day 7, Saturday, June 21: VENICE
Breakfast and worship meeting at hotel. Today we will have a full day in the romantic city. We will enjoy a panoramic tour to see St. Mark's Square, the outside of Dodge's Palace and the bridge of sighs. We will than have free time for optional gondola trip and gliding along the picturesque canals. Lunch at local restaurant. Return to hotel in Mestre. Dinner and overnight.

Day 8, Sunday, June 22: VENICE–ANCONA (4hours) & EMBARKATION TO PATRAS, GREECE
Bus ride to Ancona on the shores of the Adriatic. On our way we will pass by Ravenna.

At 1:30 p.m., embark on the ferry to cross to Patras port of Greece. - Meals on board on your own expenses

Day 9, Monday, June 23: PATRAS (DISEMBARKATION)–OLYMPIA
At 2:30 p.m., disembark at Patras and meet the local guide. Board the bus and drive to the south into the Peloponnese peninsula to reach Olympia.  

Check-in at Hotel Olympion Asty in Olympia for dinner and overnight.

Day 10, Tuesday, June 24: OLYMPIA–NAUPLIA
In the morning breakfast at hotel and check-out. We will visit the ancient city of Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games where we see the ruins of the Temple of Zeus, Temple of Hera, the gymnasium and the stadium. After the visit to the archaeological museum we will have lunch in local restaurant. In the early afternoon we will depart from Olympia and drive via the central Peloponnese area to Nauplia. Upon arrival check-in at Hotel Tolon Holidays in Tolo for dinner and overnight.

Day 11, Wednesday, June 25: NAUPLIA–MYCENAE–ATHENS
After breakfast check-out of rooms and board the bus to visit the impressive ruins of Mycenae. We will see the remains of the prehistoric citadel fortified with the Cyclopean Walls, the Lionesses' Gate the remains of the Myceanaean Palace and the Tomb of King Agamemnon in which we will actually enter.

After lunch in local restaurant we will depart from Peloponnese and drive towards Athens. On our way will stop at the historic Corinth Canal, which was built between 1881 and 1893. We will see the Isthmus of Corinth and take photos before boarding the bus to return to Athens. In late afternoon check-in at Hotel Stanley in Athens for dinner and overnight.

Day 12, Thursday, June 26: ATHENS
Breakfast at hotel. Morning sightseeing tour of Athens, featuring the highlights of the ancient capital (Hadrian's Arch, Temple of Zeus, Panathenian Stadium, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Academy of Athens, The National Library, The parliament Building and the National Gardens). After the panoramic tour we will climb up to Acropolis Hill. We will see the Propylae, the Temple of Athena Nike, the famous Parthenon Temple and the Erechtheion with its porch of maidens. After the tour lunch in local restaurant in Plaka.

Afternoon: Educational Sessions and campus tour at National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.

Evening at leisure to enjoy the lively atmosphere of the taverns and nightclubs in the old Plaka district.

Day 13, Friday, June 27: ATHENS–PIRAEUS - CRUISE TO MYKONOS (Embarkation for a 3-night cruise)
After early breakfast at hotel at 8.30 a.m., we will board the bus and drive to Piraeus port of Athens. We will embark the cruise ship at 9.30 a.m. after the check-in procedures. Sail at 11:00 a.m. for Mykonos island. Lunch on board. In the afternoon arrive at Mykonos, the most popular Greek islands with its white washed houses, chapels and the spectacular windmills. Free time to explore the seaside town on our own and visit "Little Venice".

Re-embark the ship and sail to Kusadasi port of Turkey at 11:00 p.m.

Day 14, Saturday, June 28: KUSADASI CRUISE
At 7:00 a.m., dock at Kusadasi port, where we have an optional tour to see the ancient ruins of Ephesus. After the tour we will have some free time at the local market for shopping. Return to ship at lunch time and sail to Patmos at 1:00 pm. At 4:00 pm. we will disembark in Patmos by tender boats. An optional excursion will take us to the 11th century St. John's (Evangelist) Monastery and the Cave of Apocalypse. In the museum we will see the valuable manuscript collection. After some free time in the port we will re-embark the cruise ship to sail for Crete island of Greece at 9:00 p.m.

Day 15, Sunday, June 29: CRETE (HERAKLION) – SANTORINI CRUISE
At 7:00 a.m. our ship will dock at Heraklion port of Crete, which is the largest of the Greek Islands.  Here we are offered an optional tour to visit the Minoan Palace of Knossos, the center of the Minoan civilization dating back to 3,000 BC.  At 11.30 am, sail for Santorini. Lunch on board.

At 4.30 pm we will arrive in Santorini, this unique volcanic island called “Black Pearl of the Aegean.” An optional bus tour will take us to the capital town of Fira or Thira and the picturesque village of Oia. Or we can ride a mule or the cable car from the OLD PORT of Fira to climb up to the cliff-top town. Free time to walk around the narrow streets with the white washed traditional houses and enjoy the spectacular view of Caldera with the volcanic islets on the Aegean Sea.

Return to the ship and set sail for Athens at 9:00 pm.

Day 16, Monday, June 30: PIRAEUS - DISEMBARKATION ATHENS
At 6:00 am our ship will dock at Piraeus port. After breakfast we will check-out of the cabins and meet the local representative at 7.45a.m. Board the bus and drive to hotel in the city centre. 

Last day of our journey will be free for individual exploration of the city.  Lunch on your own (try the Greek Souvlaki or Gyros or the Greek Salad with tomato, cucumber, onion, green pepper, feta cheese and olives).

Dinner and overnight at Hotel Stanley in Athens.

Day 17, Tuesday, July 1: ATHENS DEPARTURE
Escorted bus transfer to Athens Airport for departure flight.

Depart from Athens to Chicago O'Hare at 6:30 am.