Why Greece?
Greece is positioned in a crossroad between different continents. The country has often grappled with its role as a border nation at the juncture of East and West. From past periods of forced migration to more recent waves of refugees from Syria and beyond, Greeks have had to adapt and respond to new waves of migrants, humanitarian and economic crises, and shifting cultural influences.
Greece’s identity as the center of Western civilization, coupled with its geographic position at the edge of Europe, makes it a dynamic place to learn about global migration today. Here we can meet with organizations working on the frontlines of refugee response, historians who can lend deeper perspective to the current situation, and everyday people with unique outlooks on how their communities have been impacted by migration and the factors that drive it.
2-3 Nights - Athens, Greece
Community Involvement and Exploration
Athens, the Greek capital will serve as the base for our program, where we’ll lay the foundation for our inquiry and return at the end to bring our experience and projects together. Here we will begin to examine how various stakeholders have responded to recent refugee crises and shifting patterns of migration. To frame our program, we will spend some time exploring historic neighborhoods that have been shaped by migration over time and understanding the context of Greece as well.
0-4 Nights - Lesvos, Greece
Migration Crisis Mitigation
We’ll board an overnight ferry or flight toward Lesvos, a Greek island just four miles off the coast of Turkey that has found itself at the forefront of the most recent refugee crisis. While the situation in Lesvos has changed dramatically in the past few years, the island has a remarkable story and perspective to share. We will hear from international NGOs, learn about the peak of the migrant crisis, and connect with locals and refugees whose lives have been shaped by recent migration. We will work to understand the various perspectives we encounter and unpack the complex global dynamics at play.
0-3 Nights - Alexandroupolis and the North, Greece
A Mix of People
As either an alternative or additional field experience, we can also take a short flight to Alexandroupolis, near the land border with Turkey. Since the 1920s and onward, this northern Greek city has been made up primarily of immigrants. We will explore this very diverse part of the country, visiting Pomak (Bulgarian-speaking Muslim) villages on the mountains of Rodope and border towns.
3-4 Nights - Athens, Greece
Returning and Reflection
Closing our program back in Athens, we will take time to reflect on what we’ve experienced, the people we’ve gotten to know, and the understanding we’ve developed. We’ll meet with policy experts and NGOs, as well as schools and community centers, to continue our program and better understand our own responsibility in a changing world. We’ll have some final visits to key landmarks and and we’ll consider how we want to move forward, how we will share our work, and what we still have yet to learn.
