My time in Athens has unfortunately come to an end! I have thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this trip. I have made so many new memories and friends and have learned so much in and out of the classroom. I have been able to visit the Acropolis, Agora, the Acropolis Museum, the Temple of Zeus, the Olympic stadium, and so much more! I was also able to figure out how to navigate the metro and bus systems by exploring cities down by the coast and finding different ways to get back. In my free time, I’ve been able to travel outside of Athens, discovering more authentic food, local culture, as well as different beaches and islands. I loved how walkable the city was and how the city was built around monuments in order to preserve the history. I also appreciate the abundance of cats in this city. One of my favorite sites we visited would be the Pnyx Steps. I loved learning about how people in Ancient Greece were had the freedom to bring up and discuss any issue they felt was relevant at this location. It also has the best view of the Acropolis in my opinion! I also enjoyed visiting Aristotle’s school where we saw where he walked and lectured, and learning about Plato and Socrates and how the three influenced their societies. We were also able to have speakers come to us from the American Embassy in Greece, which was a very insightful experience where I learned more of what it meant to become a diplomat and how they managed relationships between the two countries as a part of their job. Being outside of the country and gaining new experiences and perspectives has opened my eyes to whole new world. Cultivating cultural intelligence is vital for success as a global leader, and I sense my cultural awareness is growing every day I’m here!
