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Chios, Greece Summer Session 2010
Join ACHS President and holistic health expert Dorene Petersen and Robert Seidel, President of The Essential Oil Company and expert distiller, for 5 nights and 6 days on the exotic eastern Aegean Greek island of Chios, where you will study and experience the amazing aromatic and therapeutic gum mastic.
Like you, we value the natural world and want to preserve it for future generations. We encourage all students who participate in our study-abroad programs to purchase carbon offsets for travel (such as NativeEnergy or TerraPass). In addition, the ACHS website offers
earth-friendly recommendations for how we can reduce our carbon footprint to compensate for the emissions caused by air travel, such as planting an oxygen-producing garden and taking advantage of green power solutions.
And, as further evidence of our commitment, ACHS is launching a new tree planting initiative—for every student who attends Summer School in Greece in 2010, the College will plant ten trees through
American Forests.
Tours will include visits to:- An ouzo distillery to taste gum mastic liquor
- A citrus museum in the historical region of Kampo with walled mansions originally the Genoans holiday homes
- A folklore museum to see first hand the tools and instruments used for the gum mastic harvest and other traditional crafts and industries.
Workshops will include:- Hiking on a traditional mastic trail, identifying plants along the way.
- Learning to harvest gum mastic by joining farmers in the harvest and we prepare both culinary and skin care products using mastic gum.
Read more about this exciting program online here.Planned guest lecturers include a local pharmacist and homeopath who make use of mastic. Accommodation is in a traditional medieval mastic village set high in the hills of Chios amongst the famous walled mastic villages. Fresh Mediterranean sun-drenched cuisine is served for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The Chios Summer Session will be a continuation of Summer School in Syros and depart from Syros. The fee includes all accommodation, meals, workshops and tours. Transport to and from Chios is the responsibility of each participant. Students will meet on the island of Syros and will travel to Chios together by ferry.
Cuisine
Greece and its sun-kissed isles offer a tantalizing cuisine that is fresh and fragrant, served with warmth and vitality. The Greeks' zest for the good life and love of simple, well-seasoned foods is reflected at the table.
Throughout your stay your meals will be prepared with fresh local produce. Three meals are included each day: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Greek meals may be different than you are used to. Students who are following particular diet plans, such as high protein plans, may need to bring supplements such as meal bars.
Accommodations
Accommodation is in a traditional medieval mastic village set high in the hills of Chios amongst the famous walled mastic villages. The cost is based on 2 persons sharing a room. There are a few single rooms upon request with an additional charge for each night.
Class Size
Chios Summer Session enrollment is limited to 20 students.
Baggage
All baggage is your complete responsibility. The retreat does not have an elevator or baggage assistance, so we suggest that you travel light, as you are responsible for carrying your own cases. College staff will not be available to assist with baggage, so you should ensure that you can comfortably manage all of your bags. The College accepts no liability for loss or damage to baggage or belongings. We strongly recommend you leave your valuables at home.
Meals
Meal style is Greek cuisine prepared with fresh local produce. Three meals are included each day using regional produce: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Greek meals may be different than you are used to. Students who are following particular diet plans, such as high protein plans, may need to bring supplements such as meal bars.
A vegetarian option is available but must be requested when booking. Please note that we are unable to accept requests for special menus to meet more specific dietary or religious requirements.
Breakfast is typical Greek style with fresh bread, jam, fruit, boiled eggs, cheese, and hot beverages. The Europeans are not renowned for their breakfasts, and to Americans, they tend to be somewhat basic even in the best hotels!
Lunch is a three-course meal, including a tomato cucumber and olive salad, with a meat, chicken, fish or vegetarian dish with a selection of vegetables and either a selection of fruit or small sweets for desert. Greek cuisine has limited choices for deserts. Vegetarian meals are usually omelletes, vegetable mixtures, or small baked or dried vegetable patties called keftedies.
The evening meal is similar to the midday meal and wine is again included.
Smoking
We do not permit smoking in coaches, at the Villa, or in the proximity of other students in the Program.
Prerequisites
Admissions interview and recommendation for admission.
Instructors
Internationally renowned lecturer, New Zealand trained naturopath, Hong Kong trained acupuncturist, Aromatherapy Registration Council (ARC) Board President, and ACHS President Dorene Petersen.
Internationally renowned expert distiller, distillation designer and owner of the Essential Oil Company Robert Seidel.
Guest lecturers including a local pharmacist and local homeopath will also present.
Travel Arrangements & Transportation
We strongly recommend that you plan to arrive in Athens at least one or two days before the program starts. We can recommend hotels in Athens. You can also arrive in Syros early, and we have negotiated special rates for ACHS students at the Hermes Hotel in downtown Ermoupoli that enjoys a stunning location right on the water. Arriving early avoids delays and allows you to be refreshed and ready to enjoy and learn on the first day. Flight delays do happen, and if you are late arriving to Athens, you will incur additional cost to connect with the group.
Note: flights to Syros are only available twice a week (check with your travel agent). Ferries leave daily from the Port of Pareus near Athens, but ensure you catch the fast ferry. Students are responsible for flights to Syros. We can recommend a travel agent to help you arrange flights. Most students fly into Athens, then from Athens to Syros. There is also a ferry from the Port of Pareaus near Athens to Syros, but the plane is much more convenient.
Once you reach Syros, transportation costs relevant to the study tour are included in the fee as detailed: pick up at the Hermes Hotel (ACHS summer school students are eligible for a special rate) on Day One, and drop off at the Syros Airport or Port on Day Six, plus all transport to and from tour venues.
Please note that there are taxi services close by or car and motorbike rental, for additional travel at your own expense. The transport is by air-conditioned mini bus with a driver.
Taught
Chios Summer Session 2010 is a six day study program.
Credit Hours
This is a for credit program. Students earn one semester credit.
Fees for Chios Summer Session 2010
Student Fees: $1750
Payment plans available. Please contact Admissions at 800.487.8839 or email admissions@achs.edu.
Fee includes land package of:
- All instruction
- Five nights accommodation
- Greek cuisine prepared with fresh local produce
- Transfers to and from meeting point
- All tours and applicable entry fees during tour days
- Certificate of Completion
Not included: airfare, travel insurance (required), snacks, and incidental expenses.
Travel Companion Fees: Travel companions are welcome but must pay the full program fee.
Travel companions may accompany a student registered for the Summer Session. Travel companion rate based on shared occupancy with attending student. Travel companions must complete admissions interview and submit applicable application materials.
Not included:
airfare, travel insurance (required), snacks, and incidental expenses.
How to Apply
Contact admissions at (800) 487-8839 or by email admissions@achs.edu to schedule an admissions interview. This is conducted by telephone, in person or by email for international students.
Or, simply complete the application for admissions securely online and the Educational Travel Program Terms and Conditions (click here to download a copy) and return with your deposit of $500 per person to the College. An admissions advisor will contact you to schedule an admissions interview if you have not already done so.
Admissions requirements apply and not all applicants will be admitted. Please make your reservations as early as possible as our Educational Travel programs fill very quickly.
Do not book flights until you are formally accepted into the program.
Final Payment
Once we have received your Application, signed Educational Travel Program Terms and Conditions, and deposit, and your enrollment is recommended by an admissions advisor, we will process your application, and send you a confirmation and invoice for the balance.
If reservations are made less than 60 days before departure, payment in full is required at the time of booking. If final payments are not received on time, the Australasian College may cancel your reservation and invoke the cancellation fee.
Cancellations, Changes, and Refunds
Your deposit must be paid to secure your accommodations. The balance of your fee is due eight weeks before the first day of class. A 100% refund is offered if you withdraw in writing within five days of enrollment. If you withdraw eight weeks or more before the first day of class, your deposit is non-refundable. If you withdraw within eight weeks of the first day of class, no refund is available.We require all students obtain travel insurance to cover lost deposits and payments for travel programs.
Passports, Insurance and Visas
All Program members must possess a valid passport while traveling in Europe. Passport application forms can be obtained from your local post office. All passports should contain at least three blank visa pages and should be valid for six months after the completion of your Program. Individuals who do not hold a US passport should contact the appropriate consulate of each country included in the Program to acquire any necessary visa. All passport, insurance, and visa charges are the responsibility of the student. We require that all students obtain travel insurance and provide proof of insurance at least 60 days before departure. Failure to provide proof of insurance will result in your enrollment being cancelled and your deposit being forfeited.
Travel to Program Meeting Place
Transport to the designated meeting place for the Program is not included in the Program. Each student is responsible for all travel arrangements. The College is not responsible for missed Program time or expense caused by travel arrangements or missed connections. We strongly recommend that you plan to arrive a day or two before class starts. We can recommend hotels on Syros or Athens for students arriving early.
Program Membership
This Program requires a blend of adventuresome spirit, flexibility, spontaneity, physical fitness, walking ability, mental alertness, and a capacity for accepting situations as they exist and not necessarily as we would find them in America. If you have health concerns, we suggest that you contact your physician to help determine the suitability of the Program for you. We regret that we are unable to accept request for special diets, itinerary variations, wheelchairs, or individuals who require special assistance.
Program Price Does Not Include
Personal expenses including passport and visa fees, alcoholic beverages other than that outlined above, optional sightseeing, traditional gratuity to your coach driver, and all other items of a personal nature. Travel insurance is not included and is required.
Any Questions?
Please call admissions at (800) 487-8839 or email admissions@achs.edu.