NOTE: This course is offered in collaboration with the Greek University of Thessaly and it starts and ends in the city of Volos, where the University of Thessaly is located. It will provide CYA students with the opportunity to study alongside Greek students, fostering deeper cultural and academic immersion.

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

The program starts on Monday June 22 (bus transfer from Athens to Volos) and ends on Saturday July 18 (bus transfer from Volos to Athens).

Participants should plan to arrive in Athens the day before the start of the program and depart Athens the day after the program ends. A chartered bus will be available to transfer students from CYA to Volos in the afternoon of Monday, June 22, and from Volos to the Athens at 10:00 am, on the morning of Saturday, July 18. Students are responsible for their own accommodation in Athens before and after the program.

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 kitchenette, towels and linens. Weekly cleaning is included. 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.