Το πρόγραμμα αποτελεί μια εξαιρετική ευκαιρία για την επαφή με την ιστορία
και την ελληνική γλώσσα καθώς και τη σύγχρονη Ελλάδα, και το σημαντικότερο
είναι που την ιστορία την ζούμε στα μνημεία και στα ιστορικά σημεία της
μητέρας πατρίδας. Το πλούσιο περιεχόμενο, οι καθηγητές οι οποίοι παραδίδουν
τα μαθήματα με ενθουσιασμό και η κατάλληλη ύλη βοηθούν σε αυτή την
προσπάθεια για να έλθουν οι νέες γενιές σε επαφή με την πατρίδα των
προγενεστέρων τους. Αποτελεί επίσης, μία ευκαιρία για αλληλογνωριμία μεταξύ
αποδήμων -μαθητών και εκπαιδευτικών- από διαφορετικά σημεία του κόσμου οι
οποίοι νοιώθουν υπερήφανοι που είναι κομμάτι του απανταχού Ελληνισμού παρ'
όλο που κάποιοι δεν μιλούν καλά την Ελληνική γλώσσα. Μετά την λήξη του
προγράμματος θα ενημερώσουμε όλες τις Κοινότητες της Νοτίου Αμερικής για να
μπορέσουν να συμμετάσχουν του χρόνου και νέοι από την περιοχή αν και κατά
την εποχή αυτή στο νότιο ημισφαίριο είμαστε σε σχολική περίοδο.
Συγχαρητήρια στην Παμμεσσηνιακή Ομοσπονδία, στο Πανεπιστήμιο Πελοποννήσου
στην Καλαμάτα και στον Δήμο Καλαμάτας για την μεγάλη προσπάθεια και το
λαμπρό αποτέλεσμα». (Αντώνιος Σταθάκης: Δάσκαλος - Ουρουγουάη).
When my father first told me about the Pan-Messinian program in Kalamata,
I didn't expect much. I now regret not agreeing with my father, because in
the five days I have been here this program has been fantastic, for a
number of reasons, ranging from meeting students of Hellenic descent from
all over the world, to the informative lessons we've had so far. I believe
that the program will become an unforgettable memory. The teachers and the
supervisors are great, and going on field trips to learn about Hellenic
history at the location where it actually occurred, is a rare opportunity.
It is a great thing to connect children of Hellenic heritage to their
roots, especially the ones that do not consider themselves as fluent in the
Greek language. This program will helps us make a broad connection to our
language, culture, heritage and pride. To be staying in the historic and
beautiful city of Kalamata is both an honor and a great experience for us,
the locals, and everyone involved in this influential program». (Νίκος
Γεωργακόπουλος: Μαθητής - Σικάγο).
This experience has been an educational opportunity. It is not only an
excellent cultural experience but it is also a very enjoyable learning
experience. Thus far I have visited Messini, Pylos, museums, historical
sites and beautiful beaches. The history classes have been of great
interest to me. (Nikos Tsiros: Μαθητής – Michigan)
I have the privilege of participating in the summer school program at the
University of Peloponnese in Kalamata, sponsored by the Pan-Messinian
Federation of U.S.A. and Canada and the City of Kalamata, as a teacher. One
would expect that I would write this in Greek, however I have been born and
raised in Toronto, Canada, and I can express my feelings about my
experiences in this program much better in English.
We have now been here for 2 weeks, and it has been a wonderful experience.
The daily university classes have been interesting and informative, helping
the students increase their understanding of Greece through the history and
language lessons and enhancing their sense of Hellenic identity. The
on-site lessons in museums and on day trips (Ancient Messini and Pylos thus
far) provide a unique hands-on learning environment, making the material
taught more relevant and memorable for all those participating in the
program. From a history teacher's perspective, this has been an excellent
opportunity for professional development. While the various professors
deliver lectures on interesting topics ranging from Ancient, to Byzantine,
to modern Hellenic history, they also take the time to provide the teachers
from abroad with advice on effective teaching methods that can be applied
in our classrooms. (Diana Coutsoyannopoulos: Δασκάλα - Toronto)
Στο πρόγραμμα του θερινού σχολείου τα παιδιά παρακολουθούν μαθήματα γλώσσας, ιστορίας και πολιτισμού και επί πλέον συμμετέχουν σε μορφωτικές εκδρομές κάνοντας επιτόπια μαθήματα. Πιστεύω ότι το πρόγραμμα του θερινού σχολείου πετυχαίνει να συσφίξει τις σχέσεις των ομογενών μαθητών από Αμερική, Αυστραλία, Καναδά και Ρωσσία με την χώρα των προγόνων τους, ισχυροποιώντας τις γλωσσικές ικανότητες τους και την ελληνική τους συνείδηση. Έχοντας την εμπειρία και άλλων εκπαιδευτικών προγραμμάτων που αφορούν ομογενείς μαθητές, μπορώ να πω με βεβαιότητα ότι το πρόγραμμα αυτό εκπληρώνει, καλύτερα από κάθε άλλο, τις προσδοκίες βελτίωσης της ελληνικής γλώσσας και γνωριμίας με τον ελληνικό πολιτισμό». (Ειρήνη Στούμπου: Δασκάλα - Τορόντο).
This program, organized by the University of Peloponnese in Kalamata, the Pan-Messinian Federation of the United States and Canada and the Municipality of Kalamata has been underway now for approximately three weeks and has been an extremely worthwhile experience for me. This being my first visit to Greece, I have thoroughly enjoyed staying in the beautiful city of Kalamata - one of the many ideal places to spend a Greek summer. It has been a wonderful experience to attend the University of Peloponnese and to further my education in Greek history, culture, and language. It has also been a great pleasure getting to know other students and teachers from countries such as America, Canada, and Russia, of whom I will be sad to say goodbye to in a week's time. This program has provided the ideal combination of learning and pleasure, with many of our history and culture classes taking place on location, at rich historical sites such as Ancient Messini, Pylos, Mycenae, the Epidaurus Theatre, Mystras and various local cultural museums. At the same time, this program has allowed me and fellow students the time to take advantage of Kalamata's beautiful beaches and tavernas, as well as the chance to travel locally and meet family, which has been the highlight of my trip. Overall, my first visit to Greece in conjunction with this program has been an unforgettable one, and I look forward to enjoying every minute of my final week on this program.” (Michael Koklas- Αυστραλία)
The classroom, hotel, field trips and facility were amazing!
This program has been the best part of my life. It was amazing and I feel a lot more pride in my heritage. Thank you so much for this unforgettable experience.
The program’s mission of giving young Messinians and other Greeks from abroad the opportunity to connect with their roots has been faithfully fulfilled.
Thank you for Everything!
