Events
Odyssey Journal
The students studying abroad with the European Odyssey program shared their thoughts in words, pictures and video as they learned more about foreign countries and cultures.
April 24th, 2008
(From Prague, Czech Republic): I’m awestruck. The class spent time studying on the grass overlooking the Charles Bridge as a hot air balloon floated by. The majesty of Prague's construction is like Paris meets the narrow passageways of Venice. We finished working and had dinner by the Old Town Square, next to the clock tower. Later on, an orchestra played Mozart and Vivaldi in a nearby church, imagine the acoustics! Prague was an unbelievable experience and a must location on our Odyssey.
April 22th, 2008
You see the meeting of the East and West is evident everywhere in Istanbul. From the modern urban section to the blue mosque there is something truly unique about this city. I was able to visit the Hagia Sophia a former church and mosque, bargain with shop owners at the Grand Bizarre, and drink tea almost everywhere we went. The people here are very welcoming and are always looking to talk to anyone willing.
There are few ways to describe the impressiveness of Meteora. The mountains look like they belong on the moon, but the six monasteries set at the top are evidence of man’s ingenuity.
We only had one night to spend in Lublianja, and wish I had at least one more. The Slovenian capital had a rich medieval history as well as plenty to do along the beautiful river side area, where you could find a wide range of shops, cafés and restaurants.
April 22th, 2008
(From Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic): The Southern Bohemian area of Czech was our first stop as we settled in Cesky Krumlov. The beauty of this town is in the fine architecture and the interesting faces.
April 20th, 2008
(From Vienna, Austria): Sun poured over Vienna when we got there. It was a joy to walk around after a few days of rain. Vienna has such a rich art background but definitely maintains a city vibe outside the world-famous art districts. I visited Museum Quartier which included the Modern Museum and the Leopold Museum. What a difference from the Louvre! We lay out on the grass and compared dozens of paintings. We spoke with a young EU supporter, who works at privatizing community services and monitors border evolution in Europe.
April 18th, 2008
From Budapest, Hungary): Arriving back into Budapest was great. I was fascinated by the Parliament and St. Stephen's cathedral last year, as well as the cultured old town. So clean and well built, Budapest had wonderful food, a taste of convenience, and so many things to do. After class, we saw the Jewish Memorial, and visited the biggest mall in Budapest, the WestEnd. I will always consider Budapest to be the Paris of Central Europe.
April 16th, 2008
(From Ljubljana, Slovenia): Hostel Celica had a band playing when we got to our overnight stay in Slovenia. The crowd was full of travelers and young artists. The accommodations were unlike any modest living, "the hippest hostel in Europe." Visiting the town, we saw it was rich in history, including the impressive Dragon Bridge.
We arrived in Ancona, Italy, yesterday after a long, 14 hour ferry ride from Greece. We then drove to Ljubljana, Slovenia where we spent the night. This morning we visited the castle there and saw the famous Dragon Bridge before heading to Budapest, Hungary. We stopped briefly in Croatia en route. We are now settled in here in Budapest where we will be for the next three nights.
April 14th, 2008
(From Meteora, Greece) Summits and floating monasteries make this town a beautiful stop on our Odyssey. I've hiked up the mountains twice, giving myself a great workout and a chance to personally reflect. Our class took a trip to see the Hotel owner's father, a farmer who had made it through WWII and the Greco Civil War. His story was so rich in personal struggle and history. The weather was sunny, and our classes added such an insight to the wonder of our environment. I would highly recommend visiting this world, "suspended in air."
April 13th, 2008
Greetings from Meteora, Greece
After three full days in this unique place full of geological and cultural richness, we are heading back to Italy on the ferry tomorrow night. We will spend the day tomorrow in Ionnina where we will visit the Dodona, one of the oldest oracles in Greece and second in importance only to Delphi. We got a lot of work done here including two midterms, a long interview and an extensive class, but we also visited the impressive Orthodox Christian monasteries which are perched on top of the strange rock formations in this area. Everyone seemed really at home in this friendly town, and that always makes it a little hard to leave. But as always there's more adventure ahead. We'll drive directly to Slovenia after we land in Ancona on April 15.
April 7th, 2008
Today we ate Turkish cuisine in a garden restaurant, shopped the local market, and interviewed the hospitable locals of Selcuk. Not too far away is Ephesus, one of the most profound ancient ruins of Turkey. The site is so well preserved it is almost as though we took a trip back in time. We also visited the site that scholars debate to be the home and grave of Mary, mother of Jesus. It was a moving place and I was so happy to be a part of this history. Istanbul was beautiful but urban. It is a difference to be introduced to the smaller communities and see how personal the relationships are.
April 6th, 2008
Greetings from Ephesus.
We left Istanbul yesterday and arrived at Bergama, which is ancient Pergamon, just as the sun set. It was a long drive during which we also took a short ferry across the Dardanelles. We got to ancient Troy just 15 minutes before closing, so we hope to make a lunch stop there on our way back to Greece when we retrace our steps. Though there isn't much to see at Troy compared to other archaeological sites, it's still fun to see it nontheless. But there is a great deal to see in the ruins of Pergamon, which we visited this morning. The Acropolis is at the top of a great hill and below is the renowned Temple of Aslepius, the god of healing. Pergamon also once contained a great library of over 200,000 volumes which Mark Anthony gave to Cleopatra as a wedding present. Though we didn't see any books there, I am hopeful the students will unearth theirs in preparation for the midterms.
This afternoon we drove on to Ephesus, one of the most interesting and layered of ancient locations. We are staying at an small hotel across the street from the location of the Temple of Artemis, which was one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world. This place was also purportedly the home of the mythic Amazons. On the other side of our hotel are the ruins of one of the earliest and largest Christian churches in Asia Minor established by the apostle John. Next to this is a mosque above which sits an Ottoman castle. From our rooftop terrace we feel as if we are in the center of world history.
April 3rd, 2008
Istanbul was one of the gems of Europe. The amount of diversity in Istanbul made it one of the best places I've visited. The Ayasophia was a marvel of so many different religions. It is so interesting to see the difference between the Asian side and the Western European side. The Grand Bazaar was truly a shopping mecca. The condition in Turkish politics was so interesting to hear from Tara, a professor at Sabanci University.
March 29th, 2008
A metropolitan worth seeing, Athens is a perfect example of Europe's clash between the new city and the old "high point" of ancient Athens. We found some of the best gyros in the world, shopped boutiques, climbed to the Acropolis, and visited the University. I was able to meet up with some distant relatives from Greece and have dinner.
March 27th, 2008
Olympia is a breathtaking ruin. It is the site of the first Olympic games. It is a pleasant walk from our Hotel to the ruins. At the site, there remains a struggle between the Pagean and Roman ideals. In fact, most of ancient Olympia was destroyed by the Roman Empire. The modern town is very pleasant and the food is excellent. It is refreshing to dine in small villages where all of the food is made in the town itself.
Venice was unlike anything I've ever seen before. It was amazing to see boats parked outside the Venetian homes. We visited St. Mark's Square and the Jewish Ghetto. The streets were so quaint and narrow. Every turn seemed like an adventure. The conditions in the Ghetto were ruinous, and gave the already decaying buildings a new character. However, the oldness adds to the charm. It was a place I definitely would want to live.
The area of Rome that I wanted to visit the most was the Coliseum. It was the most amazing thing I have ever seen. All the trap doors, hidden rooms, and elevators below the stage made it easy to picture what it would have looked like when it was first built. Our tour guide was so informative and artistic about his description of this massive ruin.
As the group settled down in Nice, I decided to take it upon myself to take a 35 minute train ride to Monaco, which is its own country, controlled by a king. Upon arrival I could feel the wealth in the air. The two-mile wide country felt more secure than JFK International Airport. Cameras were facing all directions on every street. I strolled down to the dock, to check out the massive yachts as well as top of the line speed boats. I entered what is known as the "grand casino" it was a magnifcent site, and you could feel that many emperors and kings have lost and won millions of dollars there. Unfortunately, I was talking too loud and was asked to quiet down, I took that as my Q to leave, After a quick run-in with the Monaco Police and a passport check I was back on my way back to nice safe and sound. 1 extra country for me!
We have arrived in Greece. We are now settled in Nafpaktos and we cannot wait to see this beautiful country.
March 23rd, 2008
The tour through the Coliseum in Rome was spectacular. We learned how women had to stand in the higher levels, while men sat close to the main floor. It was a great to reflect on the status of early Roman citizens, compared to the current day condition. Our tour guide stressed the importance of our imagination; to see this structure not only for what it is today, but how it must have looked at the peak of its design.
Sorrento not only offers a beautiful waterside climate, but the quaintness of a small village. Taking the ferry to Capri was breathtaking. From the color of the water to the crispness of the air, to the cliffside and the rolling clouds, Sorrento and Capri offered a welcoming lifestyle. The people were so hospitable, kind, and intelligent. Their position on the conditions in Naples, and the provincial divides revealed a changing Italy under EU membership.
March 21st, 2008
We arrived in Rome on the afternoon of St. Patrick's Day, and 24 hours later we had seen much of a city where the present meets the past. In our first full day in the city we visited the Pantheon, the most architecturally impressive of all the Roman buildings we saw. We then visited the Trevi Fountains where we tossed a coin into the water in order to guarantee our return to Rome. We finished our day long trek by visiting the Spanish Steps, Trajan's Market, and Piazza del Campidoglio. Rome has truly lived up to my great expectations for being a haven of amazing historical structures and artifacts.
March 18th, 2008
Ciao from Rome!
Yes, all roads do eventually lead to Rome, and so did ours today. After leaving the Costiera Amalfitana and village beauty of small scale Sorrento and saying goodbye to the omnipresent Mt. Vesuvius which is the region's pivot point, we entered the complex urban panorama that is Rome. As we followed the ancient Appian Way into the city we were struck with how deeply woven together are the many layers of Roman history and life. There are priceless ruins that are centuries old seamlessly placed right next to hypermodern buildings and projects. It makes the old world come alive and gives the contemporary one a depth and substance it would not otherwise have.
We have an exciting schedule for the next two days including visits to the Pantheon considered the world's most perfect building, the Piaza di Popolo with its many spinxes, the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain. Day Two will take the group to Vatican City and the dramatic St. Peter's Square and Basilica and the extensive collections of the Vatican Museum including the Sistine Chapel. That afternoon we will experience the grandeur and horror of the Coliseum and then later have dinner in the charming neighborhood of Travestere. We joke about how much beauty we can bear, and obviously Rome continues to expand our horizons and our appreciation for both nature and human culture.
March 6th, 2008
Nice is amazing; the French Riviera really lived up to its reputation. We drove up into the Beverly Hills-like neighborhoods and walked along the beaches collecting rocks. St. Paul was another beautiful castle perched at the highest point in Nice. Inside were art shops and galleries.
March 5th, 2008
Our lovely hostel is located on the Riviera in the hills above Nice and between Cannes and Monte Carlo. After class on the terrace of the hostel, during which we discussed the origins of the European Union, we set out on a short tour of the region by van. First we drove into the city of Nice, and students explored the beautiful palm tree lined Promenade des Anglais as it follows the Mediterranean coastline. Back in the van we drove to the enchanting port of Antibes, which was founded in the 5th century B.C. as a Greek colony, whose harbor is still protected by a looming fort. We then climbed up to the medieval village of St. Paul de Vence, where contemporary artists' ateliers and studios line the ancient streets. The ramparts surrounding the village provide a 3600 panorama of the countryside, including a view of the Mediterranean in the distance. We leave France tomorrow, and after a quick stop in the mountain top village of Eze, we enter Italy and the next stage of our adventure.
March 3rd, 2008
This afternoon we arrived at Nice on the Cote D'Azure after a lovely, easy, breezy drive from Carcasonne. As we approached the Maritime Alps the countryside looked like a Cezanne painting dotted with cypress trees and golden villages. Our hostel in Nice is high above the city in the beautiful Villa St. Exupery, which was at one time a convent and now is a welcoming refuge for young travelers. Each day we are becoming a more coordinated and compassionate community on the road, and we are reminded by the beauty we encounter of how lucky we are to be sharing this learning adventure.
March 2nd, 2008
Yesterday we arrived at the World Heritage site of Carcasonne, France, which is a renowned medieval city surrounded by two complete walls, 52 towers and 3 kilometers of ramparts. The day was a bit stormy, and a dramatic wind added to the historic mystery of this ancient fortress of the Cathars. They were a Christian sect that flourished between the 11th and 13th centuries in this section of France and which emphasized a strict code of assceticism, community service and direct spiritual experience. They were condemed by the Catholic Pope as heretical in the 13th century, and many years of ferocious struggle against them ensued through the Inquisition. But the power and beauty of their creations still enchant and endure.
Tomorrow we head for Nice and our first glimpse of the Mediterranean!
Febuary 29th, 2008
Bon Soir from Rocamadour, France! At sunset we reached this dramatic fortressed medieval city clinging to the cliffs chiseled out by the Dordogne River. This combination of natural and manmade wonder make it one of the most enchanting spots in France. After a class and a tour of the town tomorrow we will continue south to the walled city of Carcasonne where we will stay for two days.
Febuary 28th, 2008
We just visited the St. James American Cemetery in Brittany, France, where more than 4,410 American soldiers are buried. They lost their lives during several key WWII battles in Normandy and Brittany. This cemetery of over 28 acres was constructed on the site of a temporary cemetery established shortly after the area was liberated on August 2, 1944, by the U.S. 8th Infantry Division. At one end of the memorial chapel is a limestone sculpture group titled “Youth Triumphing Over Evil.” Each student was required to locate one grave and to note the name, place of origin and dates of birth and death of that soldier in order to make our commemoration more specific and more vivid.
Febuary 27th, 2008
We left Paris after visiting the Pere La Chaise Cemetery where so many influencial thinkers of French art, culture and history are buried as well as distinguished foreigners including Oscar Wilde and the notorious Jim Morrison. It was our first long van ride, but I think this is going to be a group of good travelers!
On our way to our destination for the night, the ancient port of St. Malo, France, we stopped at the breathtaking cathedral of Chartres to see the distinctive blue stained glass windows and the famous labyrinth, which sketched the path of meditation for so many pilgrims over the centuries. Hofstra's labyrinth is an exact copy of the one at Chartres, and hopefully our students walk its stone pathway with comparable reflection.
Febuary 25th, 2008 - Bonjour from beautiful Paris!
We arrived safe and sound yesterday though obviously a bit jet lagged and overwhelmed by the complexity of Paris! After a brief tour of some of the major sites such as Notre Dame and the Arc de Triomphe, we stopped for a few idyllic hours at the Eiffel Tower. We will also end our program there 10 weeks from now, so it will be exciting to see how much people will have seen and learned in the interim.
Today students are exploring the wonders of The Louvre Museum. Though they will only have a chance to experience a few of the more than 30,000 works of art, they are required to find and describe at least two of their favorites in detail. Learning to see and learning to articulate clearly that which one sees is a rich part of this experiential pedagogy. And we will see so much!
Tomorrow we will visit another great museum, The D'Orsay, which houses so many modern masterpieces. We will also watch the sunset at Montmartre, the highest point in Paris and a gathering spot for tourists and Parisians. The following day we will visit the Pere LaChaise cemetery where luminaries of French culture and history are buried. It's also the resting place for foreigners like Jim Morrison and Gertrude Stein, so it should be an adventure.
We're sorry not to have been in touch earlier, but it was hard to find Internet access amidst all of our other tasks. This may happen on occasion in the future, but we'll do our best to stay in touch.
Best wishes from all of us.