The Perception of European Identity Through the Cultural & Educational Tourist Experience of Greek Students

Abstract

The research highlights the cultural and educational aspects of Greek students’ tourist experiences with other European countries and the way in which these aspects shape their perception of European identity, especially given the challenges of globalisation, such as the financial crisis, the rise in social inequality, and the recent refugee crisis. Without doubt, the more complicated social, political, and economic environment has increased the importance of European identity, which now can be seen as an internal transformation of identities through constant re-interpretation. However, the unstable global system has led to a crisis of European identity and has fuelled Euro-sceptic tendencies. In its place the potential for cultural and educational experience to develop and sustain the European identity has been argued. Cultural and educational tourism can also become an opportunity to challenge socio-cultural standardisation, due to its role in the visualisation, preservation, and even reaffirmation of an individual identity. Our case study focuses on students who have visited European countries as travellers or participants in the EU educational exchange program. Our methodology is based on pilot research using quantitative methods in which students especially from the Technological Educational Institute of Central Greece and Ionian Islands participated. Findings indicate that students’ cultural or educational experiences have a positive influence on the interpretation of European identity.