"Being surrounded by individuals who were eager to learn and experience the culture was infectious, so that even I, who was not foreign to it the way others were, discovered a newfound appreciation..."
I had traveled to Greece many times before participating in the Mediterranean Humanities program. As a Cypriot who returns to my native island every summer, Athens– and the Greek islands, of course– are a popular layover spot, where we often spend a few days before our short connecting flight to Cyprus. It is because of this very familiarity with the land, this familialcomfort, that I can say this program defied my expectations in every manner.
I could not explain the sensation that had overcome me– after all, I had made that beautiful (and tiring) trek to the marble base of the Parthenon, I had swum in the crystal blue Mediterranean waters, eaten countless mouth-watering gyros, and gotten lost in the side streets of Monastirakisince my early childhood.
Nothing about it was technically novel; however, as a then-Freshman who had never participated in any study abroad before, it was frightening right up until the moment that I actually arrived. I had considered not joining the program at all because I wasn’t quite sure what it would entail, but in hindsight, what scares me more is the notion that I might have actually missed out on those experiences. I could not even imagine it because I can honestly say that this shifted the way I approach opportunities. It was the beginning of a summer of “saying yes” to everything, even if it scared me (and especially so).
From the second that I stepped out of Athens International Airport and into the warm air, navigating my way to the train towards Exarchia (which would be our home for the week), I was filled with an overwhelming sense of excitement that was sustained until the very last moment of the trip. I could attribute this, I am sure, to many aspects. Perhaps it was the friendships that formed in that one week, which are just as strong today as they were on those late-night gyro runs and card games on our balcony; the plethora of museums and tours and information that indulged every curiosity I had about Athens in both antiquity and modernity; the incredible Professors Zanou and Kakkoufa that guided us through the entire experience with a genuine desire to show us all a memorable time. And maybe most significantly, an understanding that weall wanted to be there, so that these academic ventures that for the longest time growing up mighthave been considered “boring” were treated and experienced as incredibly intellectuallystimulating, and just as entertaining as the pottery and acting classes that we indulged in.
Being surrounded by individuals who were eager to learn and experience the culture was infectious, so that even I, who was not foreign to it the way others were, discovered a newfound appreciation– so much so that although my Major is currently Creative Writing, after both MedHum and this summer program, I am considering incorporating a Mediterranean Studies minor.
I am no stranger to the sheer exhilaration of travel– and in fact, traveling is the true joy of my life. It is a state of mind. I cannot recommend it enough, and this program was such a secure way to go about it. We were independent and had the freedom to go out and explore, but we also had this incredible group of peers and Professors there to support us.
