"Thank you again for inviting me to the Summer Institute. I think you all did a great work: Students were excellent and I think we all enjoyed the unique atmosphere of continuous interaction, scientific and social, between students and teachers. I really had a great time and I learned a lot in Xylocastro. I have already told Andy that I would be ready to come back next year to teach "memory and the frontal lobes". Anyway, I think that the Vivian L Smith Foundation for Neurological Research made an excellent choice in supporting the Summer Institute. If not yet, I am sure that everybody will soon know about the uniqueness and the remarkable scientific level of the Summer Institute in Xylocastro. If there is anything I can do to help you, please let me know.

Thank you again and congratulations!"
 - Dr. Gianfranco Dalla Barba, INSERM


"Participating as an invited speaker (as you of course know), I would like to congratulate the principal organizers as well as you on this marvelous concept of a Summer School. I found that the students selected were participating with great enthusiasm and discipline, had an extraordinary good background in general neuroscience (and particularly neuropsychology) and were socially interacting among each other in an exemplary way
considering their background from various countries and their speaking a number of different mother tongues.

I also found the local people very friendly and helpful. As an example, I mentioned to the owner of the hotel, I stayed in, that I (and a few students) would like to climb on the top of the highest mountain in the area (Mount Ziria), and instantaneously he offered to ask the mayor for a bus bringing us to the bottom of that mountain what happened then during the next weekend.

I have participated in several Summer and Winter Schools, and think that the present one is particularly worthful due its length, the good selection of teachers and students and the place which for one is small and “remote” enough to have the students stay for the lectures, but on the other hand provides stimulating and environmentally very satisfactory
surroundings ­ above all the flair of ancient Greece.

Wishing to see many more Summer Schools of this kind happening."
 - Dr. Hans Markowitsch, University of Bielefeld



"I would like to say that the summer school was very well organized by the Vivian Smith Foundation. I think the setup of the program, with ample space between the classes allowed for time for integration and contact between students and between students and professors. The help I received from you before and from Mary and Christina during the course was very adequate. The fact that the students could choose their own combination of courses seemed to be both a weak and a strong point; on the one hand, it meant that each student could have a course load tailored to their interest, on the other hand, it meant that certain students did not get the chance to meet straight away because their courses did not overlap. Luckily, there were enough social events and occasions outside the classes at which all the students could meet.

The fact that the professors were put up in the same hotel worked fine as well: there was time and opportunity to discuss each other's courses and to judge if there was overlap between the subject matter.

Thanks again for the opportunity to lecture in the 2003 summer school and many thanks for the help."
  - Dr. Ysbrand Van Der Werf, McGill University



"Hi, Andy. There were several students from New Zealand who came to the Berlin meeting and sang the praises of the institute.  You have done a phenomenal job, for which we are all indebted to you.  You have single-handedly changed the landscape of training in the neuropsychology world."
 - Dr. Robert Bornstein, INS



"I would like to congratulate the organizers of the Institute for their well-organized and developed program in Xylocastro this summer.

The level of the students was high and allowed professors to give lectures in more depth and detail. Participation and interest in discussion about topics was fruitful. I think it was very important for students to have social time in which they made professional contacts as well as personal and human.

My best to the organizers. I feel satisfied with my participation and would be happy to collaborate with you in the excellent program and organization of the Vivian L. Smith summer institute any time in the future. My qualification of the program for this year is very high and I am counting on the continuity of the Institute over the next years and that it continues to benefit so many professionals coming from all over the world."
Thank you."
 - Dr. José León-Carrión, University of Seville, Spain



"In general, my experience in the Summer Institute was very positive. Given the complicated trans-continental logistics and a site with no university or library, the organization was excellent. I could deliver my lectures exactly in the way I would deliver them in Detroit. The quality of students varied but in general, I was impressed by their maturity and their interest in the topic of my class. Most of them were active participants in class discussions. I conclude that student selection process was effective.

Arranging high-speed internet access was very important and I hope that in the future this aspect will be expanded. Adding a couple of printers and a scanner will be a welcome addition. The organizers did very well in accommodating the needs of the faculty in that respect.

The accommodations were very good and the stuff at the hotel was very helpful as were almost all residents of Xylokastro with whom we had contact.
Free Greek lessons was a great idea (Thank you, Thaskala Marina!). The understanding of rudimentary grammar and some useful vocabulary helped those of us who were ready to make a minimal effort to get some taste of the local culture.

In sum, if I would be asked by a colleague invited to a future Institute whether to accept the invitation, my recommendation would be definitely positive.

Thanks again for this opportunity to visit Greece and to interact with distinguished colleagues in a friendly atmosphere. I believe that Andy Papanicolaou and his staff deserve a round of "high fives" for their performance."
 - Dr. Naftali Raz, Wayne State University



"Everything worked out perfectly for me."
 - Marina Tzakosta, University of Leiden



"I have just returned from the summer school and wanted to say how much I enjoyed it and what a worthwhile experience I thought it was/is for the students. Such a great opportunity for them to meet one another and meet the teachers. It was a rewarding experience for me too. The organization went very smoothly and I was sorry to leave.
I want to thank you all together with Mary and Christina for all your hard work."
 - Dr. Barbara Wilson, Medical Research Council



"My comments are that the Institute was a singularly successful academic event, alike for students and faculty.  I was impressed by the sustained, unflagging interest and participation of the students: far more and far greater than one naturally expects.  My attendance was 100% throughout, except for one day for one student.  After the first day or two, they warmed up well and participated eagerly, with many appropriate questions and comments. 
 
The faculty were equally impressive in their dedication. Personally, I found it to be an excellent opportunity to collect, organize, and develop the subtopics associated with my topic, in a way that is seldom possible in the usual academic situation.  Your dedication to this being a faculty-centered rather than director-centered institute paid off in the faculty each taking strong responsibility for their courses and students--again more so than is usual or typical in academia.
 
I hope I can do something like this again some time.  It was quite the most wonderful experience." 
- Dr. Frank Wood, Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center