The training took place at the French Institute of Athens and was attended by about 25 participants from different countries and institutions. The aim of the training was to increase participants' awareness and skills in the application of AI technologies in education. Each day was dedicated to learning how to use a new tool. The atmosphere was informal, everyone was able to ask questions, share their own experiences and immediately practice what they had learned, both individually and in groups. Seminar staff were able to discuss with participants from other countries the ethics of using AI, its benefits, legal nuances and data analysis.
In addition to new knowledge, it was possible to explore the centre of Athens, take a guided tour of the Old Town and Acropolis, visit various churches and temples, the beautiful National Park and the impressive Acropolis Museum. Athens was beautiful and bustling, with delicious pastries in cosy little cafes on every street and rich Greek dishes in welcoming restaurants already decorated for Christmas. Every day after class, people went out on the town or took rental cars to explore the local area. Among the many exciting options, the monasteries of Corinth and Meteora were chosen as destinations. In Corinth, the archaeological museum was visited, and on the way back there were stops in several small towns, a visit to the Corinth Canal, which connects the Ionian Sea with the Aegean, and a stop in a small port for a coffee break and to get to know local life.
On the last day, we made a long drive to the town of Kalampaka, which has 6 different monasteries on the cliffs along the coast, commonly known as the Meteora Monasteries and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The athletic effort along the rocky and winding road, accompanied by a Greek winter rain shower, was well worth it, and on reaching the top of the cliffs, monastic life could be seen up close.
The trip to Greece offered many impressions and experiences, and perhaps most of all the time spent together with the seminar team, the shared meals, the evening prayers and walks and conversations.
The seminar staff hope that such international trainings will continue in the future, providing opportunities for sharing knowledge and experience and for self-development. As well as spending time with their own team, new acquaintances and interesting contacts were made, and exciting opportunities for collaboration are in the air.