My experience is Greece was nothing short of amazing, must be one of the best countries I have visited in Europe. My favorite Island in Greece was Kalymnos because I could go either hiking up to the most famous rock-climbing spots in the world or dip my feet in the cold Mediterranean Sea just a few feet from the hotel. I also enjoyed the tasty food. I could believe all the new foods I got to try. My favorite had to be tacos. We were at this restaurant on the Island of Rhodes, and we got to try duck tacos., I never thought I that’ve been something to eat there but I’m glad we had had it. I also enjoyed the Greek festival we were invited to on Kalymnos because it was full of Greek life and dancing and fireworks that lit up the night sky, it really made for a spectacular night.

I also enjoyed taking the ferries to other Islands as well because that’s something we don’t have here in Florida. I remember one of the days that got windy and there were huge waves rocking the ferry and causing it to crash into the waves splashing everyone on the top deck, which I thought was quite comical. I also couldn’t believe how crystal clear the water was there, and believe me it was so refreshing, although it took me a minute to get used to the water with it being so cold, I even brought my own inflatable tube from home, so I could just relax after walking around all day long. I also love visiting old castles that were built between the 13th century and 15th century. Overall, my experience in Greece was far better than I expected and would do it all again in a heartbeat. – Benjamin, SPC Greece Study Abroad Program, May 2024

From the two weeks I spent in Greece, I can firmly say that it is a truly beautiful country, and this past trip is something that I will continue to remember for years. For a man of the Florida gulf coast such as myself, the mountains and valleys are a welcome change of terrain. Traveling past Mount Parnassus on the way to Delphi where the central pagan oracle was located, you can see why the ancient Greeks considered the area to be a sacred place and even the center of creation itself. However, the most excellent natural feature of Greece that I saw was the Aegean sea: the clarity of the seawater is incredible, and the deep blue of the ocean that envelops the archipelago is absolutely sublime.

To be in a region with so much history was staggering: No matter where you turn in Athens, Aegina, or any of the other locations we visited, you’ll see buildings from a distant or not so distant past; even the smaller isles like Kalymnos, Symi, or Halki have reams of history and lore behind them. While the classical sites such as the Acropolis of Athens or the temples of Delphi are the best-lauded features of Greece’s storied history, it should not discount sites such as the castles of the Knights of St. John that checker the Dodecanese islands or the mosques and buildings constructed by the Turks. Even modern sites such as the monasteries of St. Nektarios and St. Savvas hold a deep significance to the people of Greece and form a part of Greek history, despite their 20th century origin.

Putting it succinctly, it was just wonderful to be in Greece, a country of great places that I had always wanted to visit (and would love to return to one day), and I saw plenty of less-known places that are just as wonderful, like the beautifully quaint island of Halki. Furthermore, I am glad I traveled with the wonderful group of people we had, I was worried there would be issues and division between everyone, but fortunately that wasn’t even close to being the case. My utmost thanks to the other students on the trip, to Professor Moutsatsos, to our guide George, and to the organizers of the trip. I’m sure I speak for everyone in saying that the memories of this will be treasured for years and years to come.
– Tyler, SPC Greece Study Abroad Program, May 2024

If you are thinking of studying abroad, just do it! It was one of the best decisions I
ever made & worth it. Get out there & go experience life! Do not let anyone or anything hold
you back! It will truly benefit you in every way & things like this are & can be a once in a
lifetime opportunity. This opportunity truly benefited my personal & academic enrichments
with everything I experienced throughout my trip. The beauty in Greece is absolutely
unreal! One of my best & most favorite experiences was when we went to the Cultural
Museum of the Lyceum of Greek Women.
As a Greek young woman myself, this place was very empowering to me. Greek
women throughout mainland Greece & its surrounding islands, have an empowering story
of strength & determination. While we sat in the museum & heard the stories that were
being told about the challenges that Greek women faced back then, it was truly something
to hear. For one, their husbands & sons would often embark on long journeys away from
home for dangerous work risking their lives for sometimes months on end. While there was
no way of contact back then, no one was ever sure if they would return home safely. This
physical separation highlighted the authority of Greek women back home. This history
serves as a reminder that Greek women had to rely on their strength, perseverance, &
determination, not only for their survival but to also ensure their families were protected.
Greek women played a crucial role in shaping Ancient Greek society.
– Konstantina, SPC Greece Study Abroad Program, May 2024

While visiting Greece I felt a great sense of sonder. Looking at all the little souvenir shops in athens, the pistachio markets in aegina (which also serves the best pistachio ice cream ever), the bars in rhodes, the restaurants in Kalymnos, you begin to realize that this isn’t just a dreamy vacation spot in the mediterranean. It is so much more than that, it is people’s entire lives, their careers, how they provide for their families. It truly is a humbling experience. On top of that, walking through places like the acropolis in Athens, or old town in Rhodes, you realize that you are walking through the lives, dreams, and failures of many Greeks dating back to the middle of the 5th century BC. And within all of those ancient ruins, are the MANY cats who call these historic landmarks their homes.
Going into this trip I felt quite apprehensive as I never met anyone in this group before, and I thought I was not going to befriend anyone. I was quite foolish to think that, as we persevered through the steep steps of Lindos and the acropolis, we united together and a great sense of esprit de corps was formed.
While island hopping the Aegean sea, each place was another portal for us to explore the Greek culture. Moving from the bustling streets of Athens to the quiet and tiny Halki, emphasized the different lives experienced in the small towns versus the big cities. Nonetheless we were welcomed with warmth from the animals and people.
All in all, this is a magical experience that I got to enjoy thanks to the study abroad program. My advice? Just do it! Especially if you like cats.
– Izela, SPC Greece Study Abroad Program, May 2024

What I’ve tried to make most during this trip was to connect. Connecting to my past, to other people, to language, to food, to customs, to a culture that has been isolated from me for my twenty-years of life. I felt this connection at its strongest when being out in the Aegean Sea during the ferry rides. Having the salt, sun, and air go through my hair and face while wondering without a thought at the many islands, rocks, and mountains on the coastline made me feel like I was something more than a stranger in a strange land. The sea had a welcoming characteristic; the light blue reflected to the eye a sense of calm and collectiveness, rather than a dark abyss one might see in any other ocean. The wind gave a sense of adventure, like I was Odysseus coming home, and the sun felt like a blanket for comfort, and less like an oven. The salt wasn’t dehydrating to me, but instead a connection to nature, and the tiniest atoms and molecules that built this beauty.
Seeing the islands and coastline along the way, one cannot stray away to wonder about the stories the rocks and soil hold. How many people have cried, laughed, triumphed, and failed on the land? How many lived to tell the tale, or didn’t to tell at all? Because as a student of history, we don’t often hear the stories from the people who were caught in the crossfire of the legends of empires, war, and tyranny. We never will know what the reign of Tyrants, Sultans, Pashas, Basileus, or Emperors was like for the humble Shepard or fisherman who dwelled on the island, or how their decisions affected them, but we will always remember those who ruled them. I never got to hear those stories from my great-grandparents, or grandparents, but basking in the same sun, swimming and exploring in the same waters, as they did, truly was a keystone to that connection. – Nicholas, SPC Greece Study Abroad Program, May 2024

I had always dreamed of studying abroad in Greece, and it was a dream come true for me. Since I was young, my mother and I often discussed the idea of going abroad, and her top choice was always Greece. This greatly influenced my decision to join the study abroad program and visit Greece, which made the trip even more enjoyable for me. Throughout the entire journey, our exceptional professor and tour guide were able to answer all our questions and impart a wealth of knowledge. I had the opportunity to learn about many things that my mother and I always wanted to know more about.

During our time there, we explored numerous places and encountered countless unique ruins, artifacts, and cities. The trip was a tremendous learning experience for me. My favorite part of the study abroad trip was undoubtedly the opportunity to explore various places and parts of Greece instead of confining myself to Athens. This provided me with insights into the diverse lifestyles in Greece. The city life in Greece is vibrant and fast-paced, while life on the different islands we visited was more serene and laid-back. I was also extremely grateful for the chance to visit all these different islands because each one had its own unique atmosphere, and they were all amazing and distinct from each other.
– Jessica, SPC Greece Study Abroad Program, May 2024