Submitted by Olivia Malinowski on the 2020 winter session study abroad program in Athens, Greece sponsored by the Department of English…
Throughout the week, I have visited many more places filled with Greek history and culture. I’ve tried new food, tried to speak more of the language when ordering coffee or food, and grown closer to the people on the program. One place we visited that stood out to me was the Greek Parliament. My study abroad group got the chance to tour this building and learn more about its significance. Not only is it architecturally beautiful, but it is the supreme democratic institution. I felt very lucky to have been able to not only learn more about the history of the building, but also to get a tour and be able to sit in the rooms where the members of Parliament come together to make decisions. Being able to learn more about Athens’ government was really interesting and I enjoyed the experience because it was different than the places we have been visiting that have mostly consisted of archaeological sites and museums. I appreciated the chance to learn more about the entities that impact the daily lives of Greek citizens in the present. This has helped me better understand Greek culture on a larger scale and I am very excited to see where this next week takes me!
