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Students travel abroad to study the Cyprus conflict and EU accession process

March 13, 2006

The study group tours the ancient ruins of Salamis in the north.

Students attend panel discussions on the Cyprus conflict with Greek and Turkish Cypriot representatives.

After meeting the Mayors of Nicosia, the group poses outside the Arab Ahmet Cultural Center.

Cyprus' accession to the European Union on May 1, 2004 signaled a colossal tide of change for this small country of under a million people. Enlargement opened the gates to a single market of twenty-five member states while granting 450 million citizens certain indisputable rights. Cyprus is a divided country without a political settlement and therefore poses intriguing challenges for implementing basic European acquis.

This year's study tour of the European Union and Cyprus provided students with the unique opportunity to learn not only the substantive foundation of international relations, but to experience the art of diplomacy. During the three-credit course, offered by Professor Gokcekus, students maintained a demanding itinerary. Students assessed the economic, political and social impact of EU membership on Cyprus while visiting and interacting with both Greek and Turkish Cypriot representatives from the public and private sectors as well as civil society organizations. Representatives included the former president of Cyprus, George Vassiliou; the Minister of Finance, Michalakis Sarris; and the president of the Turkish Cypriot Businessmen Association, Ozalp Nailer. Students also met with the U.S. Ambassador to Cyprus, the Head of the European Commission Representation and representatives of the UN Envoy. In addition, students had the opportunity to witness first-hand the Cyprus Conflict and tour parts of the Green Line maintained by UN Peacekeepers which divides the island.

Students are graded on their active participation in the class and study tour, their study tour journals, two oral presentations and an assessment report. Study tours are open to both graduate and undergraduate students. For more information, contact Professor Omer Gokcekus.

Click here for a daily journal from our students

Click here to see our trip on the Embassy website