Our trip to Athens has been a wonderful experience filled with many cultural learning moments and historical discoveries. I didn’t understand everything we would do when I first signed up for this study abroad. I knew I wanted to visit Greece, but I didn’t know all the learning moments I would have or how they shaped my view of global leadership.
History has always interested me, and Athens has more than quenched my thirst. I have visited Athens in the past, but the monuments you visit are just ancient stones without the contextual help of a tour guide. I would not have known the little details that make the historical sites so unique and vital to understanding how significant the Greek influence was back then. Several times, the tour guide pointed out something I would have never known or went somewhere I would never have visited. An example is when she points out Simon’s house in the Agora. Simon was a cobbler, but it is also believed that he was Socrates’ good friend. At the Temple of Hephestus, she pointed out bullet holes left over from battles with the Ottomans. Many of these stories and examples were given around the Acropolis and inside its museum. In my opinion, that’s what made the trip so special and helped me see how rich the culture was.
The global leadership aspects I learned also mainly came from history. We did several classes that helped narrow down the massive influence of Greece, which included government, philosophy, logic, warfare tactics, business, and so much more. Being able to stand where they discussed the creation of democracy and walk through massive monuments to their gods that even modern engineers would have trouble replicating shows just how advanced they were.
The other most eye-opening aspect of this trip was the cultural differences between Greece and the US. I first noticed the differences between our cultures when I went out to find dinner. Most restaurants were closed because they eat dinner much later than we do in the States. The second difference was how cheap everything was. I could get a good meal for under $5, practically unheard of in the States. The currency difference was also an interesting change because I had to remember it wasn’t the same value as the US Dollar.
Athens was a fantastic destination to learn all about ancient history, global leadership, and the differences that cultures can have. I look forward to visiting other countries to learn about their history and culture.
