Me with the program directors, Dr. Daniel Levine and George Paulson, at the Acropolis of Athens.
Author: Elise Wilkin | Majors: Classical Studies, Anthropology | Semester: Summer 2025
“Κέφι” (or kephi) is roughly translated as “passion” or “zest”, but to Greeks it means much more than can be expressed using mere English. It’s a sudden, overwhelming sense of joy. It’s singing and dancing, carelessness, the sun, and connection with other people. After spending
four weeks studying abroad in Greece, I can confidently say “Εχω κέφι!” – I have kephi! Growing up, I was always interested in ancient civilizations. When I got to college and realized that there was a whole department for that, the decision to add a Classical Studies major was a no-brainer – and so was the decision to study abroad. The moment I learned that Dr. Levine
was leading the Classics in Greece program over the summer of 2025, I knew I had to be there. Studying in Greece – the place where it all happened – with a Homer scholar and a modern Greek enthusiast is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I was not going to pass it up. Now that I’ve returned, I’m so glad I didn’t! My education, and life as a whole, would not be complete without it.
The program was quite rigorous. Over 28 days we travelled all over the country,
including the mainland, islands, and Pelopponese. We never sat down in a classroom or received
a traditional lecture. Instead, Greece was our teacher! Along the way, we visited 30 museums and
45 sites. Our leaders were better than any tour guide, and their extensive knowledge combined
with the presence of important artifacts was invaluable. I had read about these places and
artworks for years, but actually seeing them is an experience that I can’t describe. I learned more
in four weeks than I ever did in my two years of college classes. Additionally, each of us
delivered a site report, so we had the opportunity to learn from each other. I presented my report
on burial customs at the Armeni Minoan cemetery, which seems a little more fitting than Kimpel
Hall or the Science and Engineering building.
Between scampering on Venetian fortresses and translating ancient inscriptions, our
itinerary also included several cultural experiences. Since Classical Studies necessarily focuses
on the “ancient” part of Greece, I haven’t had the chance to learn much about modern Greece
amidst my classes on language, law, and mythology. It can be easy to forget that Greece
continued existing post-Byzantine Empire, but that does a disservice to the country. To remember
modern Greece, we had a traditional dance lesson, cooking class, and olive oil tasting. The
cooking class and olive oil tasting taught me a lot about Greek agriculture and production, but I
liked the dance lesson the best! All in all, it was much more interactive than my classes in
Fayetteville.
Although we spent a lot of our time working, we spent just as much time playing.
Because this program was so short and action-packed, I was surprised by the amount of down
time. I was able to explore cities, find museums that interested me, and try new foods. The best
part was that I got to do everything with my friends.
All in all, I can’t recommend studying abroad more. I sang, I danced. I was careless, I
roasted under the sun, and I formed deeper connections with everyone around me. Greece was a
perfect location for my degree plan, but everyone is different! Κέφι is personal. Although the
word is Greek, I think the concept is universal. Study abroad, find your κέφι!
“Κέφι” (or kephi) is roughly translated as “passion” or “zest”, but to Greeks it means much more than can be expressed using mere English. It’s a sudden, overwhelming sense of joy. It’s singing and dancing, carelessness, the sun, and connection with other people. After spending
four weeks studying abroad in Greece, I can confidently say “Εχω κέφι!” – I have kephi! Growing up, I was always interested in ancient civilizations. When I got to college and realized that there was a whole department for that, the decision to add a Classical Studies major was a no-brainer – and so was the decision to study abroad. The moment I learned that Dr. Levine
was leading the Classics in Greece program over the summer of 2025, I knew I had to be there. Studying in Greece – the place where it all happened – with a Homer scholar and a modern Greek enthusiast is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I was not going to pass it up. Now that I’ve returned, I’m so glad I didn’t! My education, and life as a whole, would not be complete without it.
The program was quite rigorous. Over 28 days we travelled all over the country,
including the mainland, islands, and Pelopponese. We never sat down in a classroom or received
a traditional lecture. Instead, Greece was our teacher! Along the way, we visited 30 museums and
45 sites. Our leaders were better than any tour guide, and their extensive knowledge combined
with the presence of important artifacts was invaluable. I had read about these places and
artworks for years, but actually seeing them is an experience that I can’t describe. I learned more
in four weeks than I ever did in my two years of college classes. Additionally, each of us
delivered a site report, so we had the opportunity to learn from each other. I presented my report
on burial customs at the Armeni Minoan cemetery, which seems a little more fitting than Kimpel
Hall or the Science and Engineering building.
Between scampering on Venetian fortresses and translating ancient inscriptions, our
itinerary also included several cultural experiences. Since Classical Studies necessarily focuses
on the “ancient” part of Greece, I haven’t had the chance to learn much about modern Greece
amidst my classes on language, law, and mythology. It can be easy to forget that Greece
continued existing post-Byzantine Empire, but that does a disservice to the country. To remember
modern Greece, we had a traditional dance lesson, cooking class, and olive oil tasting. The
cooking class and olive oil tasting taught me a lot about Greek agriculture and production, but I
liked the dance lesson the best! All in all, it was much more interactive than my classes in
Fayetteville.
Although we spent a lot of our time working, we spent just as much time playing.
Because this program was so short and action-packed, I was surprised by the amount of down
time. I was able to explore cities, find museums that interested me, and try new foods. The best
part was that I got to do everything with my friends.
All in all, I can’t recommend studying abroad more. I sang, I danced. I was careless, I
roasted under the sun, and I formed deeper connections with everyone around me. Greece was a
perfect location for my degree plan, but everyone is different! Κέφι is personal. Although the
word is Greek, I think the concept is universal. Study abroad, find your κέφι!