My Semester in Greece Essay -- How Education Has Changed My Life

I had so many experiences that I feel as though I lived an entire chapter of my life in Greece. My adventure began in Athens. I took a three week class entitled "Discovering Ancient Athens on Site." The professor was excellent, and I was able to visit some of the most important historical sites in the western world. Imagine seeing a machine used to allot fair and impartial juries over two thousand years ago. Or standing in the room in which Socrates drank hemlock to end his life. The foundations of western society, both governmental and cultural, were laid in ancient Greece. I am very curious in the governmental and economic structures in the world today, and I found studying ancient Greece to be helpful in understanding the world as it is today. In addition to studying ancient Greece, living in Athens for three weeks is also an immersion into modern Greek culture. One of the first things that struck me about Athens (and in fact, in all of the traveling that I have done) is the pollution. I have heard that Athens is considered the most polluted city in the world. I would be surprised if there is a more polluted city on earth. I was slightly depressed when I could not seethe sun on a cloudless "sunny" day. Aside from the pollution, I loved Athens. I will discuss Greek culture later, but it is worth a mention even in Athens (as are the clubs). The daily life in Athens is ... ...ance to the junta, and today's life in Greece. She had seen friends executed by German soldiers, and she is living today simply because a friend did not speak even under terrible tortures. Along with Maya Angelou, she is perhaps the most dignified woman I have ever met. After my time on Paros, I spent three weeks with a family on the island Kephalonia. My family has lived on this island for over a thousand years. I am incredibly proud to be Greek, and I feel that my experience this summer has made me a richer person able to contribute more to the world. I feel that I have connected with my past and my history, which in turn makes me better able to see the future consequences of my actions.