PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Ever dream of being at the stunning Aegean Sea and focusing on your fiction, nonfiction, or poetry? Love Greek history and mythology? Want to hang out with international writers? Interested in sustainability and locally-grown food?
 
Creative Writing in Greece is a two-week program taking place on the island of Crete. You are not required to be an English major or a Creative Writing minor to participate in this program; however, you do need to be committed to working on your creative writing.
 
Students will stay at the Dalabelos Estate, an agritourism complex of stone cottages situated amidst olive groves and overlooking the sea, and they’ll participate in generative creative writing workshops, where they’ll have the opportunity to write in the genre of their choice (fiction, nonfiction, poetry) and to receive feedback on their writing from their peers and from established writers.
 
Many of the writing prompts will be connected to Cretan culture. For example, the resident food and travel writer may have a writing prompt connected to baking Cretan bread; another prompt might be based on snorkeling at one of the local beaches. During the workshops, students will interact with a diverse and committed group of creative writers—writers of all ages; writers at different stages of their writing careers (undergraduate students, graduate students, professional writers); and writers from across the United States, from Greece, and from other countries.
 
Though the majority of the time will be spent in an isolated location on Crete so students may focus on their writing, the program also includes excursions to the Minoan site of Knossos (the site of the myth of King Minos and the labyrinth) and the Archeological Museum of Heraklion.
 
Additionally, included in the cost is an optional Greek Language and Culture class, where students will begin to learn the Greek language and will learn the stories and history behind the music and dancing that is offered at the restaurant in the evenings. All these experiences will deepen and enrich the writing students produce by broadening their perspectives on language, communication, settings, and histories.
 
While a minimum GPA in not required, nor is a minor in Creative Writing, applicants will be screened by the Program Director for seriousness of purpose when it comes to their writing. A short creative writing sample and statement of purpose will be required.
 
LOCATION
Crete, Greece
 
ACCOMMODATION
On Crete, participants will stay at Dalabelos Estate, a complex of stone cottages situated amidst olive groves and a farm that supplies the on-site restaurant. The hotel has an infinity pool and views of the mountains and of the sea, which is 5 km away. The estate offers shared rooms with private baths. 
 
LANGUAGE
All instruction for this program will be conducted in English.  No prior foreign language experience is required.
 
COURSE INFORMATION
The course will transfer in as CRW 199 for undergraduate students and ENG 601 for graduate students; both courses are 3 credits.

ELIGIBILI?TY INFORMATION
Students of all majors and academic levels who posses a commitment to creative writing are encouraged to apply. All participants must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 prior to participation in this program.
 
EXAMPLES OF POSSIBLE EXCURSIONS/SEMINARS
Readings and salons that take place at stone amphitheaters and olive groves
Ancient Minoan site of Knossos
Archeological Museum of Heraklion
Optional Greek Language and Culture class  
 
PROGRAM COSTS
All participants on this program will be billed a Program Fee of $4,000 on their Summer 2022 Bursar Bill.  This program fee includes all housing, excursions, in-country transportation, creative writing workshops, breakfasts, and some group meals.  In addition all participants will be billed the $100 non-refundable study abroad application fee and will be required to purchase WCU's mandatory international insurance prior to departure (estimated $30). 

Estimated out of pocket expenses not included in the Program Fee listed above include the round-trip airfare from the US to Greece (estimated $2,000) and additional meals not provided by the program (estimated $300).  Also not included in the cost of the program and solely the responsibility of the student are are all costs related to COVID-19 testing, vaccination, and/or quarantine (if required at the time of travel).

FINANCIAL AID/SCHOLARSHIPS 
The program director, Dr. Kristine Ervin, has identified opportunities for financial support from the Department of English and the Creative Writing Program. Contact Dr. Ervin at the coordinates below to learn more about these opportunities.
 
CONTACT INFORMATION
Dr. Kristine Ervin
102 Main Hall
West Chester University
West Chester, PA 19383
kervin@wcupa.edu
(610) 436-2822