Testimonials
“After arriving on the gorgeous island of Crete, I was greeted by the staff at the Regional Press Institute and I instantly felt relaxed and excited to be there. When classes began, I contemplated how much I could learn in just ten days; the amount of information and techniques that I grasped exceeded any estimate I had come up with. The professors shared not only their knowledge but their experience. Experience is a key ingredient with writing. To become a better writer one must practice the craft and our professors allowed us to practice freely. I learned to keep it simple and how to incorporate scenes that illustrated my point. Some of the most surprising things about Crete happened outside of the classroom; the beauty of every destination and the generosity of each native surprised me. My only disappointment was leaving my friends, who became my family for ten days.”
Patrick C. O’Brien, Boston University, USA
“It was a very interesting and useful summer workshop. It was well organized and it may become a quite important, annual media workshop. The lectures of Professor Ureneck, a really skilled and experienced media person, were absolutely inspiring. The excursions offered the material needed to produce quite good stories, I think. Overall, I was surprised (that’s what my final piece was about) by the fact that Crete or at least the wider district of Chania doesn’t seem to face the economic crisis that badly… At the end of the day the participants, the professors, the Cretan hospitality and the marvelous landscape of Crete made the Crete Writing Workshop a memorable experience.”
Michalis Goudis, journalist at TVXS.gr, Greece
“It has been a wonderful experience, exploring Crete and our writing abilities, interacting with new friends from all around the world and getting a new perspective for ourselves as writers.”
Rania Margari, freelance journalist, Greece
“Crete didn’t surprise me at all. It was so similar to Turkey; as if it was part of my country. Especially, Cretan people were so hospitable. It was easy to see the satisfaction in their eyes. They strived to make everyone happy. So, I felt like home. “
Elcin Demiroz, writer, Turkey
“Land of great historical legacy, beautiful landscapes, delicious food and good wine. Crete was a great temptation and inspiration for young journalists and participants of the Crete Writing Workshop. Everyone (in class) was noticing different things and details.The writing lessons helped us a lot by teaching us to focus and express our experiences using words with impact.”
Milka Domanović, graduate student, Belgrade University, Serbia
“On my way to the Institute in Crete I wasn’t sure what to expect. However, as soon as I met the professors, the staff and my fellow journalists from four countries (Greece, Cyprus, Turkey and USA) I felt like home. The workshop really inspired me to write from a different point of view. I was equipped with new writing techniques thanks to the professor Ureneck, Alankus, Skamnakis, Leandros, Bakounakis and Meimaris and enjoyed the fabulous scenery of Crete. We visited Chania, Elafonisi, Samaria, Knossos and Milia village. The people, the nature, the food and the culture of Crete were strong factors of influence. I feel really lucky that I was part of the 2011 team.”
Yiota Argyropoulou, journalist, Greece
“Beyond the aesthetic appeal of the natural beauty of Crete, the Crete Writing Workshop allowed for me, an American citizen, to understand Crete and its Greek culture on a deeper level that most tourists would not be able to see. I witnessed Crete’s strong cultural and traditional roots that still play a major role in today’s society firsthand, an experience I would not be able to find in any guide book. But between the rich, flavorful traditional Cretan meals and excursions to the most significant areas in Crete, historical and otherwise, I found that the conversations that I had between Greek, Cypriot, and Turkish people gave me a fresh, unique perspective on politics, environment, mass media, and economics that gave me a greater understanding of Mediterranean life. These conversations are what set the Crete Writing Workshop rise above and beyond any expectations I could have had.”
Elizabeth Hansen, USA
“The 2011 Crete Writing Workshop challenged me to deeply examine myself and my American upbringing through Cretan cuisine, history, and environment. Through this, I discovered the convention of story telling as a way to preserve life for future generations to explore. The island of Crete provided a setting, rich in hospitality and ancient culture, that made it easy to cherish the simplicity of life. As a writer, I treasured the unique landscapes of the Samaria Gorge, Mediterranean and Libyan Seas, ancient ruins, and port villages that have sparked my desire to write creatively about my experiences.”
Alayna Eberhart, USA
“The opportunity to workshop your personal narratives one-on-one with an expert is amazing, and you have the freedom to develop your own ideas in a way that isn’t usually offered in writing or journalism courses. The program also allows everyone to experience so many different aspects of Crete and its unique culture, in a way that most visitors to the island never could. The island inspires, and the program helps you channel that into great writing.”
Erin McNulty, USA
“Being in Crete was a different, yet very familiar experience for me. It was good that such an inspirational workshop was hosted there. The most valuable thing I got out of CWW was a lecture on media and their responsibilities towards people. I would like to thank all lecturers for sharing their knowledge and leading the way on creative writing.”
Varsan Basyildiz Cekic, Turkey
