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 Study Abroad 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’s courses include olive production systems, viticulture, air, water and wastewater treatment, Greek culture experience, and Greek language. Dieleman says, “On campus, there are several olive groves and a vineyard, so I’ve 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.”
Dieleman says, “The 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’s next on my schedule.”
He says Thessaloniki is known for its food and he has not been disappointed. “The 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.”
In photo at top: From left are CALS students Brennan Welch, Abe Dieleman and Jake Burress holding an ISU flag in front of the Nile River in Cairo.
