Summer: Rutgers- Lifestyles of the Mediterranean
The Program
Come experience the culture of health and wellness that define the Mediterranean lifestyle!
The course Lifestyles of the Mediterranean combines theoretical lectures with experiential activities to cover the fundamental principles and components of the Mediterranean lifestyle, i.e., the adoption of the Mediterranean diet, the promotion of a physically active lifestyle, and other lifestyle habits that have been found beneficial for health (e.g., adequate rest, hydration, conviviality during meals and exercise).
Some days will be devoted to theoretical lectures, followed by relevant experiential activities or study and research in libraries of local institutions. Other days will be devoted entirely to field trips, excursions and interactive educational activities, including visits to monumental sites, demonstrations of Mediterranean lifestyle practices by local community members, cooking classes and tasting of Mediterranean recipes in traditional food-service establishments, as well as collective sports activities in nature (walking, cycling, hiking, etc.).
Program Locations
Greece
Leros
In Greek mythology, Artemis (Diana to the Romans) was the goddess of wild animals, vegetation, and the hunt. This fertile land of green low hills & plains was her favorite island, and she was much revered by the locals, who built her temple in the Partheni area, in the north. Today, the local agricultural produce includes olives (+oil), citrus, figs, other fruit, and vegetables. Visit this Eastern Aegean Island and discover a place where daily life follows a leisurely pace, and the famous Greek hospitality is ever-present.
Greece
Kos
Kos is a breathtaking Greek island located in the southeastern Aegean Sea, famous for its rich history and stunning natural beauty. Kos serves as a living museum where ancient ruins, like the birthplace of Hippocrates, sit alongside miles of sun-drenched beaches and crystal-clear waters. With its vibrant coastal towns and scenic mountaintop views, the island offers the perfect setting to experience an authentic, outdoor-focused Mediterranean lifestyle.
Academics
Experiential Learning & Wellbeing-Leros and Kos Islands, Greece
The traditional Mediterranean lifestyle, a cluster of habits and practices that have been associated with various health benefits, is the heritage of millennia of exchanges of people and cultures of all countries around the Mediterranean basin. With a view to spreading the core constituents of the traditional Mediterranean lifestyle and passing on knowledge regarding its beneficial effects on health, the program «Lifestyles of the Mediterranean» aims to introduce this traditional lifestyle pattern to students of the modern era, through observing traditional practices and undertaking experiential activities.
The program will take place in Greece, where the Mediterranean lifestyle has been implemented for thousands of years. Lectures, workshops and other educational activities will cover the fundamental principles of the Mediterranean diet, a dietary pattern that has been recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and recently proposed as a health promoting diet in the 2015-2020 USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The program will also address other Mediterranean lifestyle practices, including: 1) consumption of fresh, minimally processed, local, seasonal and eco-friendly foodstuffs, 2) frugality and moderation in relation to energy balance and body weight, 3) use of herbs and spices to introduce a variety of flavors and palatability to dishes and allow for a reduction in salt use, 4) adequate hydration with emphasis on water and traditional herbal infusions, 6) adoption of a physically active lifestyle, 7) conviviality concerning the social and cultural value of meals and physical activity, and 8) stress relief and adequate rest during the day.
The program’s educational activities will take place on the islands of Leros and Kos, Greece, in the Aegean Sea.
The program will begin with 10 days in Leros. While in Leros, students will study the production, nutritional properties, and health benefits of traditional Mediterranean foods and spirits, familiarize themselves with the concept of a Greek breakfast, taste traditional Mediterranean recipes, and participate in several interactive educational group activities. The program will then continue on the island of Kos.
A three-day study trip to Kos offers students the opportunity to explore the connection between health, wellbeing, culture, and the Mediterranean lifestyle through direct experience. Students can combine academic exploration of ancient approaches to medicine at the Asklepieion, associated with Hippocrates, coastal walks, swimming, and other outdoor activities. Visits to local markets and tavernas provide insight into Mediterranean nutrition and sustainable food practices, while group activities encourage reflection on how environment, culture, and lifestyle influence wellbeing. The trip provides a dynamic learning experience that takes students beyond the classroom and into the everyday life of the island.
During the 2-week program, some days will be devoted to theoretical lectures, discussion sessions, or workshops on the scientific and cultural themes of the day, followed by studying in local institutions. Other days will be devoted entirely to field trips, excursions, and interactive educational activities, including visits to monumental sites and cultural places of natural beauty, demonstrations of Mediterranean lifestyle practices, as well as collective activities in nature.
Fulfills 3-credit upper-level elective for Exercise Science and Sport Management majors. Please speak to your major or minor academic advisor to determine if/how this can fit into your academic plan.
Learn more about the program here: https://youtu.be/qmca_U0bf9Q and https://youtu.be/8nxbEdwYVZQ- LEAVE IN
Housing and Meals
Students will stay in hotels, breakfast and most meals will be included.
Financial Information
Program Costs
| NJ Resident | non-NJ Resident | |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | $3,920 | $4,300 |
| Graduate | $4,150 | $4,520 |
Program Cost includes:
- Tuition
- Housing
- Most meals
- Excursions
- Administrative Fees
- Emergency Medical Access Abroad
Out-of-Pocket Costs
| Airfare | $1,100 |
| Meals | $150 |
| Personal Expenses | $200 |
| Total | $1,450.00 |
Out-of-Pocket Cost includes:
The above costs are estimations and represent the known out-of-pocket costs students encounter during their time abroad.
Some of these expenses will be paid for prior to going abroad, such as an airline ticket, while some of these expenses, such as meals and personal expenses, will be paid in-country as part of your daily expenses. As you plan, you will need to budget these costs and spend wisely throughout your time abroad.
Scholarships
Faculty Leaders
Dr. Sidossis is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Health. He is a native of Greece and has spent the past 30 years researching the role of lifestyle factors i.e. diet and physical activity in the prevention and treatment of various diseases including obesity, insulin resistance and dyslipidemias.
Joanne Hunt has been teaching at Rutgers University for more than 20 years. She has a Master's Degree in Therapeutic Recreation from New York University and A Bachelor of Science Degree in Community Recreation from Pennsylvania State University. Joanne has a long professional career in non-profit and community recreation programming, grant writing, international program development, and corporate training and recruitment.
Nancy Goldberg is an instructor in Department of Kinesiology and Health. She has a BS in Community Recreation from Pennsylvania U and an MS in Recreation and Resource Management from NYU. Nancy is an avid volunteer in the community and enjoys travel and exploring the world.
