What inspired you to travel abroad?
I've always been a very curious individual. I have visited Greece several times and I have fallen in love with the people and the culture of this extraordinary country. I wanted to have a deeper knowledge of the Greek culture and to get closer to the Greek people and realised that I had to learn the Greek language. I think that going abroad gives you the opportunity to live in the way the local people live, and to appreciate the landscapes and the traditions which constitute their way of life.
Why did you choose Alexandria Institute?
I have been travelling to Greece for years and I was looking for a Greek language program in Greece, and particularly in Peloponneso. I was looking for a program which would offer me opportunities to know the local culture. When I found the program offered by the Alexandria Institute in Methoni, I knew that it was what I was looking for. In addition, the teaching method that the program uses appeared to be particularly efficient, as it mixes classroom learning with exposure to local ways of life. (This was the first program I attended, after that, I attended five more in Chios, Nafplio, Andros, and Paros).
What was your favorite part about Greece?
I took part in six programs in Methoni, Nafplio, Chios, Andros, and Paros. However, I loved the island of Chios the most because it is not like the usual Greek island that is devoted to tourism. It is a quite big island with huge historical heritage; from the age of Homer, through the Middle Ages, to nowadays. History embodies the architecture of the villages.
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
I think that travelling abroad should be a mandatory experience more than an extraordinary one. Every trip abroad offered me at least one extraordinary experience. I enjoyed unique landscapes. I had the opportunity to meet new friends or meet old ones again. I attended concerts and visited archeological sites on a full moon night. With the other students, I acted in an ancient Greek myth play at the small outdoor theatre at the hotel in Andros. I was surprised how easily I could communicate with the local people and how I did not feel like a foreigner!
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
The course I took part in is designed to offer an experience that involves both academic and social activities. The experience was very rich even though the course lasted only two weeks. During this short period of time, you are never left alone unless you want to be. So I can say we received the support we needed from the staff when we wanted it. The teachers and students lived together and shared all the aspects of the experience. I learned a lot, I had a lot of fun and I always felt safe even though I was in a foreign country.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
I am fully satisfied with the experience I had with these Greek language and culture courses. I appreciated all the different aspects of my stay and I do not have regrets.
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
I would wake up every morning at about 8 a.m. for my courses. I had breakfast with fresh local products, and then, together with the other students, I walked to the local primary school building, public library, or to the garden for our lessons. After a 4 hour lesson, I would go to have lunch with the teachers and students. In the afternoon, I would do my homework, and then I would go to the beach or go sightseeing. In the evening, we had dinner in a typical Greek taverna. Sometimes we watched a Greek film.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?
If you consider free time, time outside of the lessons, and studying, I spent most of my time going on excursions. I also participated in several cultural activities like watching movies, visiting museums and archeological sites, and walking around in picturesque villages, and more. I enjoyed the opportunities I had to chat with the local people and trying to improve myGreek language skills. But, I will never forget the exhilarating time I spent with the other students and teachers, laughing around a table with rich food and ouzo, dancing, or just enjoying the beach!
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
It was a room in a family hotel. It was a simple and tidy room full of light, with enough space to rest and study. We had breakfast in the garden among a lot of flowers. In Methoni, the hotel was in the middle of the town and close to the shops and beach. Nevertheless, the room was very quiet and I slept very well and woke up well-rested and full of energy for the day! In Chios, the hotel was in a unique location inside one of the ancient Genoese farm houses surrounded by citrus groves. In Paros, the hotel is in the traditional Cycladic style. The family who ran the hotel was very kind, friendly, and always available for the guests.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
I was part of their first Greek language and culture program nine years ago as a sort of experimental program. Now, studying the Greek language and culture has become the most important part of my life. I discovered an entire world in which I hope to be part of and I met fantastic people who now are my closest friends. Since that first program, I attended five more and visited Greece by myself many times. The travel experiences I had with the program changed the way I travel now.
What is one thing every future participant should know about Alexandria Institute before their program begins?
The program is not just a language course based on the traditional methods of learning which you can attend from anywhere, even from your home. Of course, the lessons in the classroom are accurate, rigorous, and follow the most up to date techniques. But, they are only one part of the learning experience. This program not only gives you knowledge of a new language, but it also gives you cultural knowledge and experiences by interacting with the locals.
Would you recommend your program to others? Why?
I am 62 years old and I attended several of these courses. I met different people from all over the world, of every age. Time after time I got closer to the Greek culture and became more open-minded. Besides, the locations of the courses are not mainstream tourist destinations and you can taste the real flavour of Greece. Now I can speak the Greek language fluently (much better than English!) and I have a lot of friends in Greece, and in several parts of the world! That is why I recommend these courses to people of any age and from any country.
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
There are so many benefits travelling abroad can give for those of any age. When you are young, travelling opens up your mind to your future, and it makes your life longer. I think that travelling abroad should be a mandatory experience to obtain your full growth as a person.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
We live in the age of mass tourism which is damaging to many tourist places all over the world. This kind of experience leaves places in ruins, where thousands of meaningless photos and selfies are the outcome. I think that this kind of mass tourism is the opposite of real meaningful travel. Travel requires time, patience, contemplation and concentration to be fully immersed in the local culture. One should return home enriched by the memories he made, and not rich off a selfie or made-in-China souvenirs.
