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SS 301 ACHS Summer Session in Greece 2010
Dates: June 9-15, 2010
If you've always wanted to learn more about holistic health or want to
enhance your training with hands-on workshop study, the study-abroad ACHS Summer Session
in Greece is a must for you!
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.
SS 301 ACHS Summer Session in Greece
Click here to book your next great adventure!
Lectures and Workshops take advantage of the Mediterranean
Setting
SS 301 ACHS Summer Session in Greece will be held on the beautiful island of
Syros, Greece, in the heart of the Cyclades, amongst wild thyme and
other aromatic Mediterranean botanicals.
This seven-day study abroad program is planned as a total wellness and
cultural program. You'll spend ten days living with two natural health
and essential oil distillation experts, ACHS President Dorene Petersen
and Master Distiller Robert Seidel.
You'll
enjoy the relaxing, healthy lifestyle of a
Greek island amidst a wide variety of Mediterranean plants and herbs.
Greece is the birthplace of
the “father of medicine” Hippocrates, who believed the body should be
treated as a whole and that food should be our medicine. Summer Session 2010 is an opportunity to immerse yourself in this ancient land. Syros
is close to Mykonos and Santorini and not too far from the island of
Cos where Hippocrates founded a medical school and began teaching his
ideas. Syros is an enchanting location for this residential session.
Summer Session is scheduled to coincide with the flowering and
harvest time of a variety of Mediterranean plants.
Travel tours include:
* Identification walks through wild herb meadows learning about sustainable wildcrafting;
* A walking tour to Ano Syros, a settlement dating back to Byzantine
time, with narrow streets, labyrinthian alleyways and countless
steps;
* Shopping in the local town Ermoupolis and a Saturday evening trip where we can
stay late to enjoy the nightlife.
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.
Villa Abela
The small, picturesque Villa Abela is our base for Summer Session 2010. Featuring grounds and courtyards covered in multi-colored
bougainvillea, Villa Abela is nestled in a south-facing hillside
and protected from island breezes that are common in the summer.
Villa Abela offers accommodation for a small number of students.
Abela (meaning the place where grapes grow) is a quiet secluded bay
with safe swimming and Villa Abela is just 100 yards from the beach. Our
classes are held daily at Villa Abela.
Accommodations
The fee includes nine nights accommodation at Villa Abella or the
Beachside Taverna. 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. Each room has a shower, toilet, and washbasin. The
standard of accommodation is rated as four keys. Keys are the
rating classification for rooms in Greece. Four keys is the highest
rating. Rooms are still small but clean, quaint, comfortable and
private. There are no telephones in the rooms. The rooms are
charming but not luxurious and the room size is smaller than US
hotels. Laundry can be done for a small fee.
Beachside Taverna
The Taverna offers accommodations right on the beach and allows
students to be immersed in the Greek culture. We will enjoy most of
our meals at the Taverna, enjoying freshly prepared local
nutritious foods, with wine included at lunch and dinner.
Class Size
Summer session is limited to 20 students.
About the Area
Villa Abela is approximately 9km from the ancient town of
Ermoupolis. With its long and fascinating history, Ermoupoli was
the leading commercial harbor in Greece and still has a flourishing
artistic and cultural life. It has been referred to as the little
Paris of Greece, and features many examples of splendid
neoclassical architecture. It is indeed like walking through a
living museum! Today, Ermoupolis has an active café and
nightlife culture, which makes it a fun place to visit.
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. There are stores in Abela for extra snacks.
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, often 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 dessert. Greek cuisine has limited choices for desserts.
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.
Smoking
We do not permit smoking in coaches, at the Villa, or in the
proximity of other students in the Program.
Instruction
The lectures give you diversified theoretical and practical
aspects involving essential oils and medicinal Mediterranean
plants. Instruction includes lectures, power point presentations,
guided botanical identification hikes, and tour package.
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.
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 Seven,
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
Summer Session 2010 schedule is to be determined.
Credit Hours
One semester credit.
Fees for Summer School 2010
Student Fees: $4259
Payment plans available. Please contact Admissions at 800.487.8839 or email admissions@achs.edu.
Fee includes land package of:
- All instruction
- Six 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 to join us, but do pay the full program fee.
Travel Companion Fee includes land package of:
- Accommodation
- Greek cuisine prepared with fresh local produce
- Transfers to and from meeting point
- All tours and applicable entry fees during tour days
Travel companions may accompany a student registered for the Summer
Session. 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 canceled 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 email or telephone admissions at 800.487.8839 or
admissions@achs.edu