Sixty degrees, two-dollar coffees and a wonderful view of the city. Sound like Cleveland? It wasn’t but I experienced the same this spring break when I went to Athens, Greece, as part of a study abroad opportunity through Case Western Reserve’s classics department.
The last time I was in Greece, I had just finished my freshman year. I could not stop talking about Dr. Paul Iversen’s “Archaeological and Epigraphical Field School” summer course. I ended up having an amazing experience participating in an archaeological dig in Corinth, Greece, for three weeks. It was my first time studying abroad and I loved it.
When I saw that Dr. Mark Hammond, lecturer in the classics department, was offering his annual course titled “Athens: City in Context,” I knew I had to take it. Not only had I enjoyed Dr. Hammond’s past courses, but the chance to study abroad again before I graduated was an opportunity I could not ignore.
On Site
Fifteen students, across various disciplines, committed to the trip. Our week in Greece was filled with visits to various ancient sites such as the Acropolis and the Temple of Poseidon to churches to Kolona Hill on the island Aegina. We also went to sites within the city, like the Roman Agora and Monastiraki square—a shopping hotspot.
Our day was filled with on-site lectures from Dr. Hammond and Dr. Timothy Wutrich, a senior instructor in the classics department. At the site of the Temple of Poseidon, Dr. Hammond showed us Lord Bryon’s name etched into one of the pillars. At the Theater of Dionysus, Dr. Wutrich highlighted how drama and theater as we know it today started there. As students, we were asked to consider “What is our Athens”?
Our trip did not stop there! While heading to the area of Sounion, on the southern coast of Greece, our class stopped at a temple dedicated to Apollo Zoster. At this site, we were able to do something you are rarely allowed to do at sites of antiquity: go inside. That’s right! We were able to step inside an ancient temple and walk around as the ancient Greeks would have done.
As a classics major, it is an extremely rare occurrence to be able to go inside a site–you become so used to learning from afar. To be able to step inside is truly incredible.
So, if you’re wondering how to spend your next spring break or summer, consider going to Athens or other amazing locations. Our class learned and visited sites outside of the standard tourist checklist. We explored the city together, visiting shops, restaurants, and hiking up hills to overlook the city. We even taught Dr. Hammond and Dr. Wutrich how to take “0.5x selfies.” Our group chat is still busy, even three weeks later.
To answer Dr. Hammond’s question of what is my Athens? That is my Athens.