About the Aegean Center

The value of a wholly autonomous program specializing in small group and individualized study is immense. Looking beyond the academic model toward a vision of lifelong learning, the Aegean Center does not require outside institutional affiliation. Not being bound to the limitations, requirements and orthodoxies of larger more generic programs the Center is free to create courses of exceptional quality and independence. This freedom was indeed one of the founding principles of the Center over half a century ago and remains so to this day. Due to our self-determination, small size and educational philosophy we are able to address the strengths and weakness of each individual student, simply because we have the freedom and commitment to do so. We are able to interact with each of our students as unique individuals not as a statistical data point.

Each session is organized around a format of intensive small group and one-to-one instruction with our full-time resident teachers, visiting lecturers and artists. Also, it is from our long committed experience of specialized teaching in distinctive cultural environments as well as influence gained from a constant flow of new students that we garner the inspiration and ideas to further develop and improve our courses, and indeed ourselves as teachers and humans on an ongoing basis.

Also immensely consequential to our program design is the sense of place, where the students find themselves and how they are integrated into the local environment and culture. Our student apartments are very near the Center in the heart of the village along pedestrian walkways. The Aegean Center has been a part of the life and texture of Paros for many years and we are proud to be included in its rich history. The discovery of place imparts a tremendous influence on the students. This discovery is pivotal and crucial to a their individual growth and learning while at the Aegean Center. It’s also important to mention the island is not just about the school or the past or the ancient, it is also a remarkably lively environment reflecting contemporary Greek culture and thought. In large part this is due to its close proximity to the mainland and being a major hub for passenger boats serving the Cycladic Archipelago.

Students are encouraged to explore and expand a personal vocabulary while being immersed in the classical disciplines from which the Western tradition of art and thought has emerged. Students will commit to a primary course of study as well as choose from a weekly options. Each student will also have weekly one-to-one consultation with their teachers in their subject of concentration.

Students are further encouraged to choose their own projects, define their own goals and achieve growth on real terms, not through regimented goal seeking and other means most commonly found in a traditional large school environment. They pursue these projects and individual goals with careful and attentive mentoring by our staff. It is also important to note that students will be learning by way of direct example from those teaching and advising them. It is required that all our staff be practicing artists, scholars and practitioners of the course work they are responsible to teach.

I invite you to contact me directly with any questions you have about The Aegean Center and our course offering. At your request I will also provide you with a list of alumni that you may contact directly as well. We invite you to read about our philosophy on education.

I want to thank you for visiting our pages and encourage you to read their content carefully, hopefully with interest and pleasure. Again, I invite you to contact us with any questions you may have.

Warmly,
John Pack
Director

THE AEGEAN REINVENTED