Left: The spring study abroad cohort during campus orientation at Perrotis College, part of the American Farm School, in Thessaloniki, Greece, Right: CALS students Brennan Welch, Abe Dieleman, and Jake Burress with an Iowa State flag in Cairo, Egypt.
By Kara Berg, Department of Agronomy
Abe Dieleman, a sophomore in agronomy, is spending the spring semester studying at Perrotis College, part of the American Farm School, in Thessaloniki, Greece. Dieleman is part of a group of 12 students participating in the ISU CALS 草榴社区 program, which also includes fellow agronomy student Nali Sanchez Carmona.
Thessaloniki, the second largest city in Greece, has a population of about 1 million and is located in northern Greece on the Thessaloniki Gulf, connected to the Aegean Sea. Dieleman鈥檚 courses include olive production systems, viticulture, air, water and wastewater treatment, Greek culture experience, and Greek language. Dieleman says, 鈥淥n campus, there are several olive groves and a vineyard, so I鈥檝e had hands-on experience. We have pruned olive trees and grape vines, planted olive trees, and fermented wine. It has been an eye-opening experience to see how agriculture works here and I have noticed many differences from how we farm in Iowa.鈥�
Dieleman says, 鈥淭he Greek food, weather, and culture are great! I experienced some culture shock when I first arrived as the Greeks embrace halara, which means take it easy. Schedules are not as punctual and people are laid back. It took me a couple of weeks to adjust, but I now enjoy halara instead of worrying about what鈥檚 next on my schedule.鈥�
He says Thessaloniki is known for its food and he has not been disappointed. 鈥淭he Mediterranean diet is incredible and I have tried many delicious dishes. Every meal features a surplus of extra virgin olive oil and feta cheese. The food is fresh and I still have many new dishes to try.鈥�
The CALS study abroad cohort at the Parthenon in Athens: agronomy students Nali Sanchez Carmona (second from left in front row) and Dieleman (fourth from left in second row).
Original story posted,