 |
Brittany Consigli
Junior
Levermore Global Scholar
In the summer of 2008, right after my sophomore year of college, I decided to do my first study abroad in Greece—more specifically, the major Cycladic Islands of Greece. These consist of: Paros, Delos, Mykonos, Naxos, Antiparos, and Santorini. The program that I studied under was Hellenic International Studies in the Arts, a program and art school based on the island of Paros. The program was a two week intensive "creative walk through time." We studied the history and art history of the Cycladic and Greek people which was supplemented with rigorous hikes and inter-island travel to ruins and remote farm towns all across the Cyclades to further enrich our learning experience.
The program directors encouraged us to use whatever artistic means we preferred to express how we felt about our travels, what we were learning, and to make a relevant final piece for the end of our two week stay. We also learned other forms of art like book binding and mosaic making (the ancient Greek way)!
I lived on the island of Paros in the capital of Parikia—a town I have fallen in love with. The town by Metropolitan standards is small, but the people are very warm, welcoming, and protective. I have not felt safer in any other place (aside from my home) than when I was in Parikia. I lived in an apartment complex with the other students of the program—and actual residents—which was run by a small Greek family who took us in as their own. They provided us with any and all accommodations that they could; they were extremely giving. The warmth of the people of Parikia really struck me, since being a native New Yorker, I’m pretty used to people thinking it strange if a stranger in passing says good-morning to you. The local shop-keepers and restaurant owners looked out for HISA students and always engaged them in passing conversation.
 |
Our excursions included a walk down the Byzantine trail to a remote farming town, hikes across Paros, a driving tour of the marble quarries on Paros (Parian marble is considered one of the finest marbles), a weekend trip to Santorini, and visits to many different churches and museums all across the Cyclades. Some of my favorite sites included the Church of One Hundred Doors (which actually only has 99 openings), our walk through the village of Lefkes, the Red Beach on Santorini, and Kolimbithres beach on Paros.
One downside of my trip was an attack of food-poisoning during my second week. However going to lectures hosted by the Study Abroad office and being a well prepared traveler afforded me a speedy recovery. It is a little scary being so far from home and sick, but the friends I traveled with helped me through it.
Our main form of transportation were ferries, which are probably more exciting than any other form of travel I’ve ever taken because you get to mingle and meet so many different people from all over the place. They’re also a really great place to watch soccer games, a love I developed while in Greece. Aside from a love for ferry rides and sports I gained an immense love of Greek food, which is nothing like what you get in the United States. Their dishes vary from island to island and they’re all extremely good.
If there’s one thing I know for sure it’s that studying abroad has not quelled my wanderlust. If I have the opportunity to do it all over again, I know I will.
Brittany Consigli
Junior
Levermore Global Scholar
In the summer of 2008, right after my sophomore year of college, I decided to do my first study abroad in Greece—more specifically, the major Cycladic Islands of Greece. These consist of: Paros, Delos, Mykonos, Naxos, Antiparos, and Santorini. The program that I studied under was Hellenic International Studies in the Arts, a program and art school based on the island of Paros. The program was a two week intensive "creative walk through time." We studied the history and art history of the Cycladic and Greek people which was supplemented with rigorous hikes and inter-island travel to ruins and remote farm towns all across the Cyclades to further enrich our learning experience.
The program directors encouraged us to use whatever artistic means we preferred to express how we felt about our travels, what we were learning, and to make a relevant final piece for the end of our two week stay. We also learned other forms of art like book binding and mosaic making (the ancient Greek way)!
I lived on the island of Paros in the capital of Parikia—a town I have fallen in love with. The town by Metropolitan standards is small, but the people are very warm, welcoming, and protective. I have not felt safer in any other place (aside from my home) than when I was in Parikia. I lived in an apartment complex with the other students of the program—and actual residents—which was run by a small Greek family who took us in as their own. They provided us with any and all accommodations that they could; they were extremely giving. The warmth of the people of Parikia really struck me, since being a native New Yorker, I’m pretty used to people thinking it strange if a stranger in passing says good-morning to you. The local shop-keepers and restaurant owners looked out for HISA students and always engaged them in passing conversation.
|
Our excursions included a walk down the Byzantine trail to a remote farming town, hikes across Paros, a driving tour of the marble quarries on Paros (Parian marble is considered one of the finest marbles), a weekend trip to Santorini, and visits to many different churches and museums all across the Cyclades. Some of my favorite sites included the Church of One Hundred Doors (which actually only has 99 openings), our walk through the village of Lefkes, the Red Beach on Santorini, and Kolimbithres beach on Paros.
One downside of my trip was an attack of food-poisoning during my second week. However going to lectures hosted by the Study Abroad office and being a well prepared traveler afforded me a speedy recovery. It is a little scary being so far from home and sick, but the friends I traveled with helped me through it.
Our main form of transportation were ferries, which are probably more exciting than any other form of travel I’ve ever taken because you get to mingle and meet so many different people from all over the place. They’re also a really great place to watch soccer games, a love I developed while in Greece. Aside from a love for ferry rides and sports I gained an immense love of Greek food, which is nothing like what you get in the United States. Their dishes vary from island to island and they’re all extremely good.
If there’s one thing I know for sure it’s that studying abroad has not quelled my wanderlust. If I have the opportunity to do it all over again, I know I will.
|
