NOTE: This course is offered in collaboration with the Greek University of Thessaly and this starts and ends in Volos, where the University of Thessaly is located.

Participants should plan to arrive in Greece the day before the start of the program and depart Greece the day after the program ends. Please see ‘Essential Information’ below for more details. 

This course introduces students to the concept of “inclusive education” and links this with recent development in the field of mental health. Inclusive education requires that all students, regardless of any challenges they may have, are placed in age-appropriate general education classes that are in their own neighborhood schools to receive high-quality instruction, interventions, and supports that enable them to meet success in the core curriculum. On the premise that the development of inclusive schooling is closely linked to the promotion of mental health and resilience for all learners, the course covers well-known psychological theories of learning and development and explores how these theoretical frameworks can be applied in educational settings to promote mental health, effective learning and ultimately genuine participation and inclusion.

In this course, “mental health” is approached through the perspective of a Special Education Department with the emphasis placed on creating an inclusion climate. In doing so, we aspire to present a comprehensive picture of what mental health is and how it is promoted for children and adolescents, as well as for teachers. Specific school-based interventions that focus either at the whole system or at the individual level to enhance mental health will also be presented. The Summer School culminates with highlighting empirically-based practices that contribute to building psychological resilience and contribute to the well-being of all learners in inclusive educational contexts.

Located at the lovely coastal city of Volos in the region of Thessaly, course participants will be based at the University of Thessaly campus with overnight excursions to the spectacular Mount Pelion, as well at Evia and Meteora.

Course Details

Enrollment
This course requires a minimum enrollment of 10, with a maximum enrollment of 20.

Credit
60 hours

Essential Information
Participants should plan to arrive in Greece the day before the start of the program and depart Greece the day after the program ends. A chartered bus will be available to transport students from Athens Airport to Volos in the afternoon of Monday, June 23, and from Volos to the Athens Airport in the morning of Saturday, July 19.

Students should make travel arrangements to fly into and out Athens airport (ATH).  Students should arrange to arrive in Athens on Sunday, June 22 (a day before the start of the program), and depart from Athens on Sunday, July 20 (a day after the end of the program).

Students are responsible for their own accommodation in Athens. Please see general information about hotels in Athens that are located close to the airport: https://santorinidave.com/athens-airport-hotels

IMPORTANT NOTE: This course involves travel.
Be wary of overpacking. It will be useful to bring with you travel-size cosmetics. Accepted students will receive additional information during pre-departure orientation. 

Housing

While in Volos, students will be housed in furnished rental units that are equipped with a full kitchen, towels and linens. While traveling, hotel accommodations will be in simple 2- or 3-star hotels, double- or triple-occupancy, with air-conditioned rooms.

Facilities
Classes will take place at the University of Thessaly campus. Basic WIFI is provided in the rental units and on campus. 

Meals
When class is in session in Volos, a mid-day meal will be served on weekdays in the university cafeteria, immediately after class. When traveling, hotel breakfast will be offered at the hotels.

Day-to-day Program & Itinerary
The day-to-day program and itinerary of the course are subject to change. Students are advised not to make plans for their free time or weekends in advance, as class schedules and site visits may be re-scheduled depending on local conditions.