Stone & Compass is excited to partner with the University of Southern California to offer an immersive study abroad program to Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, and Turkey. This course was developed and will be taught by Professor Terry Church.
May 14 – June 3, 2022
Los Angeles, California
University of Southern California Undergraduate Students
info@stoneandcompass.com
We will take a late afternoon/early evening flight from LAX to Sofia Bulgaria. This will be an overnight flight with a stop in one of Europe’s large cities. Arrival in Sofia, Bulgaria is on the afternoon of day 2 taking into account the 7 hour time difference.
Arrive in Sofia, Bulgaria and check-in to hotel. In the late afternoon, explore the ancient city of Serdika.
Roman Conquest and Blood
Roman City of Serdika
Explore Sofia; Communist Era tour, Nevsky Cathedral, St. Sofia Catacombs, Vitosha Blvd. National Archaeological Museum. Enjoy Lunch at the famed Museum restaurant. During lunch enjoy meeting local Ministry officials who will discuss current events in Bulgaria and give background on politics, health care, and more. In the late afternoon head to Thessaloniki Greece! Check into our hotel and enjoy a traditional Greek dinner. In the evening head out and explore the city.
Greek Medicine, Mystics, and Oracles. Galerius Palace, Rotunda, Acropolis, Agora, & Byzantine Baths
Free exploration city of Thessaloniki. Visit Aristotelous Square, the Ladadika District, and incredible museums. In the evening meet up for a special dinner celebration.
While traveling to Bansko Bulgaria we do student presentations. Check into our boutique family-owned hotel and head out to dinner with views of the mountain!
Today we learn about the healing power of water and air. We head up 8,000 feet to the Alpine Lake and fields and yes for those who are brave enough we swim! Enjoy lunch among the clouds. In the afternoon we head to the Stone and Compass Center. In Bulgaria water is everything. From Roman times to modern times the mineral springs and lakes have long been used to heal ailments. Modern day Dr’s still write medical patient plans based around using the natural water resources found throughout Bulgaria.
Folk Medicine and Sustainable Practice. Local healers will visit the center and discuss the history of folk medicine. The Roma culture will also be discussed.
Bulgarian for Beginners (Stone and Compass will provide instruction in beginning Bulgarian and useful phrases)
Bulgarian Culture and Customs
The day will be spent learning about Honey, Lavender, and Healing Herbs
“Beekeeping 101”
In the late afternoon we head to a special oasis that is known by locals who swim there and believe in the water’s healing powers. The evening is spent enjoying a truly amazing dinner at a traditional village restaurant.
In the morning head to Veliko Tarnovo, the ancient capital of the great 10th century Bulgarian Kingdom. Visit the largest castle in Europe, step back in time and walk the cobble stone roads. In the afternoon head to Necopolis AD ISTRUM an ancient Roman city and learn about how Romans built health care systems and created markets to sell remedies that are still used in Bulgaria today! In the evening when we return to the Stone and Compass center, we will enjoy a buffet dinner along with Folk Music and Dance.
A lecture on Music as Medicine will also be provided
Student Presentations will take place in the morning after breakfast before we all head to Varna. Along the way we will stop at the Stone Forest an ancient natural wonder. After checking into our hotel we will head out for free time in the evening.
Today we will learn all about the Prehistoric Peoples of the Balkans and visit the Necropolis of Varna and Cultural Museum of Varna. Students will get to glimpse the famed Thracian Gold Horde as well as view the oldest hand wrought gold in the world found in 2018 on a dig fully funded by Stone and Compass.
Free exploration city of Varna
While traveling to Bucharest Romania Student’s will do presentations. We will also stop at the famed Balchik botanical gardens and palace.
Gypsies and Folktales
Old Town Bucharest, Museum of Romanian History
Free exploration of Bucharest, Romania
Or
Optional Curtea Veche, Dracula Castle, and Transylvania. In the evening we meet for dinner and student presentations.
This morning we hop on a plane and head to Istanbul. We head to the hotel upon arrival and then spend the rest of the day getting a guided tour of the traditional living areas of the city.
Sultans, Spice Trade, and Empire
Sultanahmet Archaelogical Park (Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace)
Markets and Remedies
Grand Bazaar and Taksim Square
Free exploration of Istanbul, Final Dinner and Student Presentations
Awaken to one last breakfast together before we all fly home.
Payment may be made in full or by following the payment schedule below.
$3,975
$1,975
Due: February 15, 2022
$2,000
Due: March 15, 2022
