Oftentimes mistaken for the film of a ‘greaser’ and good girl’s “summer lovin’ adventures,” Greece, the country, is full of history, food and once-in-a-lifetime experiences that Dr. Vonder Bruegge’s (VB’s) class got to witness first-hand this past summer. The Honor’s Program students spent the year researching specific historical sites, including ancient Corinth, the ancient citadel of Mycenae and Delphi. The three-week excursion was from May 13th to June 3rd. The students got to be the tour guides for the group of the historical site they researched.
After thoroughly researching her site, Junior Norah Beekhuizen said, “Visiting the site of Mycenae was one of the most exciting and validating experiences I have ever had.” Junior Meredith Sundberg said, “Everything was so much bigger and grander in person.” Sundberg, being involved in Northwestern’s Orchestra, enjoys that her research site, Delphi, “Has one of the only theatres that doubles as an amphitheater which orchestras perform in.” The class also got to visit ancient Corinth, the very place in which the apostle Paul wrote letters to the Corinthian church. Senior Brandon Englin says that “To finally be at Corinth after researching it all semester was incredible.” Englin and many others had the chance “To be immersed in what they had learned.” There were so many opportunities for the honors students to sightsee and explore how difficult it was to choose how to spend one’s time.
Englin knew that he would “Never be able to experience all the towns, museums and sites Greece had to offer.” These traveling Raiders experienced both planned and spontaneous hikes with views well worth the challenge, operas in historical amphitheaters, museums and food. The students nibbled all sorts of traditional Greek dishes: Spanakopita, Baklava, Moussaka, Greek yogurt, Tzatziki, Taramosalata, Chicken Schnitzel, goat and Gyros. Not only did they experience food of a different culture, VB’s class also lived with people of a different culture, “From a different corner of the world,” as Beekhuizen said. Sunberg said, “It is so fun to see other people in other cultures and just exist with them.” Sundberg loved “Seeing all of the historical sites and all of the people living around these amazing historical sites.”
Beekhuizen said that they were able to “Essentially walk through a history book and see things that were built thousands of years ago,” and she says it is something she will never forget. When asked if any of these students would recommend studying abroad, they gave a resounding, “Yes!” Englin says, “Yes, do it! Just do it! I could not recommend studying abroad enough. It was such a cool experience.” Englin “Learned so much, experienced a new culture, and had a great time with classmates!” For Beekhuizen, “Studying abroad showed me just how many opportunities there are around the world to learn.”
According to Beekhuizen, “We are connected to other cultures (specifically Greek culture) in ways you never would imagine, and it is so cool to make those connections but also to learn about a culture that’s different from your own.” Study abroad, as it is “Truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I will remember for the rest of my life,” according to Englin. Study abroad and “Make lifelong friendships,” Beekhuizen said.
Students enjoy studying and exploring Greece
