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