Posted On
Share
International Studies major Juan Torres ’28 knew that he wanted to study abroad as part of his Emmanuel experience. He accomplished that goal over the summer through a study abroad program, an internship, and a little help from a Gilman Program scholarship through the U.S. Department of State.
Torres visited Rabat and Tangier in Morocco, Rome, Athens, and Crete over four weeks in June through the Emmanuel College Eastern Mediterranean Security and Diplomacy Summer Program. He then spent another 10 days in Crete learning about the politics of freshwater allocation through an internship with the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute in Chania. Overall, he said it was a unique and unforgettable learning experience.
“Each place offered unique perspectives on the geopolitics of energy and globalization,” said Torres “I love to travel; I think it is the best way for one to learn and educate oneself outside of the classroom.”
Torres’ journey started through discussions with Associate Professor of Political Science Dr. Petros Vamvakas. Torres, who is pursuing a degree in international relations with a concentration in sustainability, was interested in the travel course, but also looking into Boston-area internships for the coming summer.
A regular visitor to Crete, Dr. Vamvakas recognized the agronomic institute’s work as a great match for Torres’ interests and helped arrange an internship there.
“They offer a variety of programs dealing with sustainable agriculture for local communities and also graduate programs for students from the Mediterranean basin,” said Dr. Vamvakas. “Their work is exemplary, and a number of other institutions also field interns there.”
The Gilman scholarship was an important piece of making the trip a reality. Torres received a key assist from Emmanuel Director of Fellowships Dr. Laurie Johnston there.
“I have volunteered several times on the selection committee for the Gilman scholarship, so I understand what they are looking for,” said Dr. Johnston. “When I saw that Juan had started an application, I reached out to him to offer to help with his essays.”
As Director of Scholarships & Fellowships, Dr. Johnston helps students identify and pursue opportunities that match their interests. The assistance was greatly appreciated by Torres.
“I owe a lot to her,” said Torres. “She helped me sharpen my essays and overall application; she was very helpful.”
Studying Politics of a Precious Resource
For the internship, Torres was based at Ntounias, a traditional taverna in the village of Drakona that grows most of its menu on an adjoining farm. It’s a unique mix of old and new: a traditional kitchen that runs without electricity alongside university interns hoping to learn how this time-honored model for food security is adapting to changing conditions.
Agriculture has long been the dominant user of Crete’s limited freshwater, but that arrangement has become more contentious in recent years, through a combination of recurring drought and rising demand. As an intern, Torres was working with other international students to collect water data to help inform that discussion.
“What I specifically looked at was how the tourism industry has been impacting the agricultural sector on the island over the past 20 years,” said Torres. “I got to be fully immersed in comparative research on that topic, and to speak with farmers from rural Crete — as well as local politicians — to see what the mindset was on both sides of this rapidly growing issue.”
The group also spent a week at the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute, meeting with faculty and experts on the topic.
“It was incredible to attend their lectures and see the work they have done so far to try and fix the crisis,” said Torres.
That sort of firsthand experiences abroad help students build self-awareness, empathy, and greater understanding of the world, said Dr. Vamvakas. He credited Dr. Johnston for doing important work to promote those opportunities and make them accessible for students.
“We often speak of transformative experiences,” said Dr. Vamvakas. “In the 15 years that I have guided students in study abroad, there hasn't been a single participant who hasn't felt transformed by studying abroad.”
Looking ahead, Torres is weighing his options. He’s thinking about graduate school and studying to become an urban planner. But he’s also interested in the outdoors; he’s currently employed at Norrona, a Norwegian mountaineering company with plenty of room for upward mobility. Whichever direction he chooses, Torres appreciates the opportunities provided by Emmanuel and the Gilman Scholarship program.
“I think it’s extremely important to see other parts of the world; it will only add to your depth as a human being,” said Torres.
