In front of the Aegean Sea before yoga and meditation at Cape Sounion
Author: Cael Losenegger | Majors: Information Systems and Political Science
I chose the AIFS Study Abroad program in Athens, Greece because the American College of Greece had great class offerings related to both of my majors: information systems and political science. Not only was I able to pick classes that were beneficial for each major, but I found courses that were also distinctive to the experience of being a student in Greece. During my time in Athens, I took Greece: The Birth of a Modern Nation and International Marketing.
Birth of a Modern Nation was a fascinating history class about the Greek Revolution and how the region where democracy was born fought to reinstate the democratic institution as the regime of an independent Greek state. My professor for this class was very intelligent about the history of Greece, the Balkan region, and the entire world. He is one of the most well-respected poets in Greece as well and has had the opportunity to meet many important people throughout the country, making for many interesting anecdotes scattered throughout his lectures. One thing that was different than most of the classes that I’ve taken at the University of Arkansas was that this professor did not use any sort of presentation and rarely even wrote on the chalkboard. Rather, the entirety of the class was made up of the professor lecturing on the topic of that day. International Marketing was a unique class to take while abroad. While I learned about the ways that marketing tactics change when companies plan on entering foreign markets, I also was able to hear the opinions of my Greek classmates and my professor about the way that American brands promote themselves in Greece. Something that was different about this class than the classes that I have taken at the University of Arkansas was that a lot of it was focused on group work and class discussions; in fact, some of the activities were done in the form of “competitions.” The setup of this class reminded me somewhat of the structure of a few of my high school classes. However, this structure was very conducive to helping me learn in this class. Our class, which was half Greek students and half US study abroad students, had open dialogue about marketing between Greece and the United States and this opened my eyes to the importance of recognizing cultural differences when marketing products in other countries. Because I want to go to law school and eventually work in government or public service, both classes were very helpful. While it is generally helpful to know more about the history of other countries, Greece is special because the region built the foundation for the same government, we use in the United States today. Additionally, understanding the way that business works between countries, like I learned in International Marketing, is beneficial when working in government. There are numerous legal and cultural factors that must be considered; I believe I will benefit greatly in my professional career and the remainder of my academic career from the opportunity I had to learn about how to analyze those factors during my time in Greece.
One of the best parts of this study abroad program was the way that it immersed me into Greek culture. While it was made to be a very easy transition, the program allowed me to be more than just a tourist; I was required to shop at local supermarkets, order coffee at local shops, and take public transportation. While this was one of the most interesting parts of the trip, it also helped me grow the most. Though I never had experience with taking public transportation, I figured out how to take the busses from our neighborhood to the closest metro station so that I could get to downtown Athens. Being able to take public transportation downtown was helpful as the middle of Athens was also the center of ancient architecture and art. Here, I was able to see the Acropolis, home of the Parthenon, and the religious center of Ancient Greece. I also watched a Latin musical at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, a theater from the 2nd century located towards the base of the Acropolis. It was common to eat meals very late; usually, an 8 PM dinner would be considered early! Dinners in Greece are eaten over the span of a few hours to enjoy conversations rather than rushing through the meal. It usually includes multiple appetizers and a main course, often with chicken, pork, or lamb. Dinner is almost always finished off with a dessert. The famous Greek dessert baklava is common and is made of filo pastry with nuts and honey.
I would highly recommend this study abroad program to any University of Arkansas student. The opportunities I had to learn and grow do not compare to any other experience in my life and I am certain that others would feel the same. Additionally, Greece is a beautiful country with a deep history and a rich culture. Between island excursions, trips through three-thousand-year-old neighborhoods, and delicious Greek meals, the program is full of chances to make lifelong memories. I would recommend keeping an open mind and taking advantage of every opportunity to meet locals and explore the city. Beforehand, I wish I would have known how many things there were to do and how helpful it can be to research prior to making the trip. If you choose to study abroad in Athens, I suggest finding the things that interest you most so you can make a plan that will allow you to accomplish it all!