CREATIVITY
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How
much do the workshops cost?
When
should I arrive and depart for the Creativity Workshop in Europe?
Can
I extend my stay or arrive earlier than the official workshop dates?
How
do I get to the Creativity Workshop in Europe from my home town?
Do
I need a Passport or a Visa to go to the Creativity Workshops in Europe?
How
many people attend each Creativity Workshop?
How
much should I plan to spend on food each day?
Does
the Creativity Workshop plan excursions for participants?
Can
I bring a friend or family member with me who is not taking the Creativity
Workshop?
Do
participants attend the Creativity Workshop alone or with friends or family
members?
Can
family members and friends benefit from taking the Creativity Workshop
together?
How
long do classes meet each day?
What
language is the course taught in?
Do
I have to write in English?
Is
the Creativity Workshop material different when it is taught in different
countries?
Do
you have to draw or write well?
Do
participants do things together outside of class? Who
attends the Creativity Workshop?
Is
this workshop useful for participants in transitional stages of their
lives and retirees?
Is
the Creativity Workshop tax deductible?
Can
I obtain credits for professional development by taking the Creativity
Workshop in Europe?
Can
I take the workshop more than one time?
What
is the difference between the New York Creativity Workshops and the European
ones?
What
is the difference between staying in hostels, pensions, or hotels?
Are
the workshops handicapped accessible?
Are
rooms in the hotels you offer air conditioned?How
is the level of air conditioning? What
kind of clothes and other necessities should I bring?
Do
you suggest any particular travel books?
Do
you recommend to take travel insurance?
How
much do the workshops cost?
The workshops in New York cost $750. This price includes tuition only.
The workshops in Europe start at $1,750. This price includes tuition and
9-night accommodations. The prices vary depending on location and type
of accommodations. You will find the different categories and prices at
the bottom of each city page on the yellow rectangle.
When
should I arrive and depart for the Creativity Workshop in Europe?
The date you need to arrive is
the date stated as the first day you will see on the calendar and the
date you depart is the last day listed on the calendar. For example, if
you are attending our Creativity Workshop in Crete, it is listed on the
calendar as June 17 - June 26. If you are coming from North America you
will be leaving home on June 16. This means you will arrive in Crete on
June 17, which is a free day. The first day of classes is June 18. You
will leave Crete on June 26.
Can
I extend my stay or arrive earlier than the official workshop dates?
Yes, we will give you the contact info for the hotel you have chosen and
you will arrange and pay for your extra days directly to the hotel.
How
do I get to the Creativity Workshop in Europe from my home town?
You are responsible for making your own airline arrangements. We do have
an excellent search engine for the best
airline prices on our site. We will give you precise instructions in advance
of your trip on how to get to your hotel by bus or taxi. There will be
an orientation packet waiting for you at your hotel. The next day (the
first day of classes) our assistant will pick you up at your hotel and
take you to the classroom. After that, you will come to class on your
own. Almost all of our accommodations are within 5 - 15 minutes walking
distance to the classroom and some of the accommodations are on the site
of the classroom. If you choose the Hostel category in our Prague Creativity
Workshop, our least expensive accommodations, you will need to take the
Metro to get to class (about a 30-minute ride).
Do
I need a Passport or a Visa to go to the Creativity Workshops in Europe?
For US citizens, you need a valid Passport for all our European workshops.
You do not need a Visa to any of our workshop locations in Europe if you
are staying in the European Union 90 days or less.
For non-US citizens, please check with the embassy of the workshop location
in your country of origin.
How
many people attend each Creativity Workshop?
Classes are
about 35 people, in some locations less, in others more. There is always
a lot of opportunity to get to know fellow participants, as we do a lot
of collaborative exercises. People often comment about the intimacy of
our groups and the feelings of nurture and sharing that the teachers encourage.
The number of participants may vary due to hotel availability, meeting
room size, and when we have friends or family members taking the workshop
together.
Who
teaches the workshops?
The workshops
are taught by Shelley Berc and Alejandro Fogel or our staff of certified
Creativity Workshop teachers. Our select group of instructors have been
trained by Berc and Fogel. In addition, they have successfully worked
in creative fields for many years. For their bios please click
here.
We tell people to expect to spend $60 per day in general. If you do a lot of picnic-in and use local delis, you can expect to spend $50.
Does
the Creativity Workshop plan excursions for participants?
We do not plan excursions. Our assistant and your hotel will have good
information on various local travel agents and tours. Many participants
get to know each other in class and do sightseeing together.
Can
I bring a friend or family member with me who is not taking Creativity
Workshop?
Yes you can and many participants do. If they are sharing a room with
you, the additional cost per night per person depends on what hotel you
choose. The average extra charge for each person you are bringing and
sharing a room with averages from $35 - 70 per night.
Do
participants attend the Creativity Workshop alone or with friends or family
members?
Many people come to the workshop on their own but many also attend with
fellow colleagues, friends, or family members. Each workshop is a mix
of people who come alone (about 60%) and people who attend together.
Can
family members and friends benefit from taking the Creativity Workshop
together?
Absolutely. We've had friend, families and colleagues work with us and
they have had great experiences. We are careful that they don't end working
together all the time and that they are part of the whole group, rather
than a sub-culture unto themselves. Families and friends have told us
they learned wonderful things about each other that they never would have
known had they not taken the workshop together.
How
long do classes meet each day?
They meet
for 3.5 hours each day for the first 6 days of the package. The last 2
days are free for you to explore the area on your own and apply the skills
you have learned.
What
language is the course taught in?
The Creativity Workshop is taught in English.
Do
I have to write in English?
No. You can write in your mother tongue—it is actually more
beneficial to do so. Also, for non-native speakers, it is more important
to comprehend English than to speak it well.
Is
the Creativity Workshop material different when it is taught in different
countries?
The basic material stays the same but there are some variations
in exercises that involve the location the workshop is given in.
Do
you have to draw or write well?
Not at all. The aim of the Creativity Workshop is
to help people use drawing and writing to expand their creativity. Writing
and drawing are tools to that end, not techniques to master in this workshop.
There are no group critiques and the emphasis is on the pleasure of self
expression.
Is
there homework?
Some
days yes, some days no. Plan an average of 30 minutes a day for homework,
most of which can be done while sitting at local cafes, parks, or in your
room.
Do
participants do things together outside of class?
We don’t organize any outside activities,
but lots of participants get together outside class, because we prefer
natural, impromptu activities for participants. However, we have several
group exercises that often lead to people getting together outside of
class. Many participants share meals and do sight-seeing together. Past
participants often comment on the wonderful friendships they have made
while taking the Creativity Workshop.
Who
attends the Creativity Workshop?
People from all walks of life and professions, all
ages, and many different countries, though the majority are from English
speaking countries. Our participants include educators, business people,
artists, homemakers, psychologists, health professionals, scientists,
and university students.
Is
this workshop useful for participants in transitional stages of their
lives and retirees?
Yes! People in life transitions (job changes, health
changes) often take the Creativity Workshop as it deals with new and innovative
ways to reinvent one's self.Many people give up their creative hobbies
or endeavors to raise families and then want to go back to them during
their pre and post retirement years. So many of our participants who are
50 plus tell us that they are taking the workshop because they finally
have the time and money to explore their creative side. Combining a Creativity
Workshop with travel to a foreign location is very attractive to people
who are curious and explorative in nature, but don't want a physically
demanding workshop. The class meets only 3.5 hours a day, leaving participants
the rest of the time to explore the cities or countryside where the Creativity
Workshop takes place.
What
is the payment schedule?
The
payment schedule varies depending on the workshop. You will find a payment
schedule on each individual workshop's page, at the bottom, inside a yellow
rectangle.
Is
the Creativity Workshop tax deductible?
For
individuals using the Creativity Workshop for professional development,
the workshop (and travel to it) is considered tax deductible under most
circumstances. The best thing is to check with your accountant.
Can
I obtain credits for professional development by taking the Creativity
Workshop in Europe?
Through
an agreement with The University of Iowa, participants taking the Creativity
Workshop in Europe can obtain 3 credit hours.
For
more information please click here.
Many educators taking the workshop receive help from The
Fund for Teachers to attend our summer workshops in Europe. Recipients
receive up to $5,000 each. Also, there maybe financial help from your
school district or university. Contact your Professional Development office.
We also offer credit hours for our New York City workshop through the
University of Arizona. For more information please click
here.
Can
I take the workshop more than one time?
Yes. Many people take the Creativity Workshop several
times. The Creativity Workshop is a series of exercises that are that
make taking more than once very inspiring to some people. The type of
exercises remain the same from workshop to workshop, but there are always
interesting variations in the talks the instructors give and in the specific
exercises they do with participants.
What
is the difference between the New York Creativity Workshops and the European
ones?
The Creativity Workshops in New York have many less
contact hours than the Creativity Workshops in Europe. Therefore they
do not cover as much ground or give you the same amount of time to let
new ideas sink in. The Creativity Workshops in Europe are more comprehensive
and offer many more exercises. Our workshops in Europe also give you the
opportunity to experience a foreign, cultural, historical and natural
environment of the workshop location. The longer Creativity Workshops
give you the chance to get to know members of the workshop as you spend
many more days working together. And of course, you have the opportunity
to explore Europe!
What
is the difference between staying in hostels, pensions, or hotels?
The
difference has to do with the amenities they offer. The less expensive
choices tend to have fewer services and amenities. Almost all of our accommodations
are within 5 - 15 minutes walking distance to the classroom and some of
the accommodations are on the site of the classroom. However, if you choose
the UMelunu Hostel in our Prague Creativity Workshop, our least expensive
accommodations, you will need to take the Metro to get to class (about
a 30-minute ride). Our assistant will escort you to class from the hostel
on the first day of Workshop.
Are
the workshops handicapped accessible?
Our workshops in New York are handicapped accessible. European hotels
may not have the same amenities as U.S., such as elevators and handicapped
rooms. If you have concerns about walking, the availability of elevators
or need special accommodations, the workshops located in the U.S. may
be more appropriate.
Hostels
Hostels are no frills places in which you often have to share bathrooms
and showers, although you will see that some of our hostels offer private
rooms and private bathrooms. Hostels often offer the opportunity to meet
fellow travelers from all over the world. Hostels usually do not have
phones, TV, or A/C in the rooms though their public rooms usually have
phones and sometimes Internet access and TV. It is imperative that you
arrive before 7 PM at the hostel in Florence to get checked in for the
first night. There is no check-in time limitation at our other hostels.
Nikbor University Residence, our hostel option in Barcelona, can be very
hot in the summer. The rooms do not have fans and the city can be humid.
It is better to choose one of our other accommodations if the heat bothers
you.
Pensions
Pensions are a step up in the accommodations world. They are often small,
family run affairs. There may be some language challenges between you
and the management as some do not speak English. Most pensions have fans
but no A/C (though our Greek pensions do offer A/C for an extra nightly
charge).
Hotels
Hotels (standard and superior) usually have A/C, in-room phones, and various
other services. You’ll want to check each of our listings for what
the hotels offer. There is a big difference in the luxury factor between
standard and superior hotels, though both will typically have English
speaking attendants, A/C, and telephones in the rooms.
To get a better idea of the differences, please go to our accommodations
page.
Are
rooms in the hotels you offer air conditioned?
Only if it is stated in their description that they
are.
How
is the level of air conditioning?
Air conditioning in Europe is a complicated subject.
That's why we have this note on the subject on our web site:
"We cannot guarantee the quality, cooling level, or functioning of
the hotels' air conditioning. Air conditioning in Europe is seldom up
to American standards of cool."
This applies even to superior hotels, although the chances of getting
better air at a superior hotel are much better.
What
kind of clothes and other necessities should I bring?
Casual comfortable attire, good walking shoes. Travel
light. This is the most important thing. If you are missing an article
of clothing, you can always buy it there. Hand washable clothes are a
good idea, as are natural, breathable materials such as cottons and linens.
Shorts and pants are popular. Bring a light sweater for the evenings.
A pair of good walking shoes and sandals. For Dublin workshoppers—the
weather should be in the 50s so you will want to bring jeans, t-shirts,
sweaters, possibly a light jacket and definitely an umbrella. Bruges could
be also cool and rainy.
VERY IMPORTANT: Do bring a suitcase with rollers—especially in Crete
where many of you will be staying in the all pedestrian Old Town and you
may have to roll your suitcase from taxi to pension. Make sure you bring
any medications or supplements you are taking—they may not be easy
to get away from home.
Do
you suggest any particular travel books?
There are so many good ones! We like the Lonely
Planet and Rough Guides. Lonely planet does a good job making light weight
books focused on the various cities, islands, and provinces in which we
hold our workshops. We suggest you spend an afternoon in your local bookstore
and see which guides suit your personality and interests, as many guidebooks
are specialized for either arts, history, or nature touring.
Do
you recommend to take travel insurance?
Travel
insurance is highly recommended when you take a trip abroad.
The Travel Insurance Store (in business since 1989) is a company of travel
insurance experts. They sell policies from 5 different travel insurance
companies including Travel Guard. They work on salary and not commission
so they are focused on finding you the policy most appropriate for your
individual needs. They are very clear and patient about answering questions
on the phone and they have a very informative site.
You can go to their site: tripinsurancestore.com
or call them at 1-888-407-3854.
Any
Questions?
Call us at: 1 (212) 922-1555
Creativity Workshop
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