What inspired you to travel abroad?
I love Greece and Greek culture. I have studied Ancient Greek and the Greek Classics as well as philosophy for a long time and wanted to extend my knowledge to Modern Greek. I have been coming to Chios for a number of years (sometimes twice a year!) for the same course and improving my knowledge and fluency every time. Studying Greek in Greece with native Greek teachers is certainly the best way to study and spending time on this beautiful island is just a wonderful bonus.
Why did you choose Alexandria Institute?
I have known Andreas through online lessons for a couple of years before I first joined the program at Chois. He is an exceptional teacher and extremely knowledgeable about all aspects of Greek language and culture.
Also, spending a couple of weeks on a Greek island and learning about its history and nature is irresistible. I also knew that I will spend time with other students like me who are passionate about all-things Greek, including Greek music, food, and history, and that we'll share similar interests.
What was your favorite part about Greece?
Greece in general is stunningly beautiful and welcoming, and has a rich cultural and intellectual history. Chios has all of these things and more and is a very special place with its unique Masticha trees and products made from Masticha.
The people are very friendly, which makes it easy to practice my language skills with them and learn more about their life and local customs. Also, there's a great mix of beautiful beaches and majestic mountains. But possibly the best part about Chios is the food! Truly one of the best culinary experiences I have had.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
The teaching staff was phenomenal. I feel that I progressed rapidly and became more fluent in the language easily and systematically. They care about each student individually, even when you study in groups.
The quality of the teaching combined with the beautiful setting of Chios (especially the Kambos area where we stayed), the great food, the culture, and the trips to visit different parts of the island made this experience extraordinary. So much so, in fact, that I come back every year!
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
The local staff was very friendly and knowledgeable. Any language learning program is not easy. There is a lot of new information to take in and learn. There's a lot of practice and reviewing of lesson material that needs to happen.
The staff was always attentive to each student individually and sensitive to each person’s personal pace. They would also take time to work on specific issues that I might have at various points in the development of my knowledge in the language.
The staff was also very knowledgeable about Chios in general and always had good ideas on where to go for good food, good vistas, and good music!
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
Learning a new language with a private teacher is one thing and learning in a group has its pros and cons. For me, the most difficult step was to go out and start speaking Greek to strangers who do not know me.
It took time for me to take that step and have enough confidence to start speaking with ordinary people. In fact, it took me a couple of years before I could take that step. In hindsight, I should have started practicing speaking much earlier and not worry about how people might respond.
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
We would have breakfast around 8:00 a.m. The breakfast at Voulamandis was always a treat and they went the extra mile to make it different every day, using local products. The breakfast was served in their beautiful patio and was a great time to catch up with other students.
We would then start class in groups or individually, depending on one's level and the program one signed up for. By around 12:30-1:00 p.m. it would be time for lunch, for which there were different options available (I would usually go to the nearby village or to the beach) and oftentimes there were optional excursions available in the afternoon-evening.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
I mostly enjoyed the beach and walking about in the area around Kambos, where we had our classes. I had time to read and study and also spend time with old and new friends visiting the area or going into Chios town.
Overall, there was a lot of time to relax and even though this was a language course with a lot of information to digest, it also managed to have a feeling of vacation and relaxation. Of course, I enjoyed discovering new places to eat and try out new restaurants and tavernas on the island.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
The stay at Voulamandis was fantastic. Over the years I have come to feel at home there and as part of the family. They have beautiful, clean, and quiet rooms and are very attentive to the wishes and requests of their guests and overall extremely friendly.
The rooms have everything one could wish for, yet are simple and cozy. They also have a good WIFI connection, which was very important for me. But arguably the best part of the stay at Voulamandis was the breakfast, which was a feast every morning!
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
The time abroad in Chios and studying the Greek language and Greek culture there has opened up a new understanding of Greece for me. I now make sure to keep updated about Greek news—which I can now read and understand fairly well and continue to improve my knowledge and proficiency even while I am not in Greece.
I always make sure to spend as much time as I can in Greek-speaking places; not just in Chios, but also in Athens and other parts of Greece that I now visit to extend my knowledge of Greek culture.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
The main thing to know about this program is that it is a fun and accessible way to study and improve your knowledge of Greek, whether it is Classical or Modern Greek. Future participants should know not to be shy about speaking Greek, even while making many mistakes! And trust that the teaching staff and the friendly people in Chios will correct them in a non-judgemental and friendly way.
So a good idea is to let one’s guard down and just go with the flow, take it easy, and enjoy the experience!
Would you recommend Alexandria Institute to others? Why?
I certainly would recommend this program to other and I am constantly encouraging people to join this program. In fact, I have already convinced several of my friend to go and some have been there with me. The reason is simple: the quality and patience of the teaching staff and the flexibility of the curriculum—but also the location!... You can't beat the stay at Voulamandis and everything the island of Chios has to offer in terms of history, culture, and culinary experiences. This combination is perfect for anyone seeking to improve their Greek!
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
The biggest benefit of travailing abroad is meeting people from different cultures and, especially for language programs, interacting with native speakers of the language you are learning. It is also impossible to truly master a language without experiencing it firsthand.
