Today we had the first of our experiential language learning classes. As a beginner in the Greek language, I felt a bit nervous to test out what I had learned, but also proud at what I had accomplished in under one week. We ordered coffee and cookies, completely in Greek, and then listened to a lecture about Greek culture and society. After the discussion, we hopped on the bus, and headed to the train station to catch our 6 hour train to Thessaloniki. The train was a great opportunity to catch up on any sleep. After arriving in Thessaloniki, we checked in to our hotel, had dinner at the hotel, then went out for a stroll along the boardwalk. The city was packed with people, cafés, kiosks, and lively squares. The boardwalk offered a beautiful view of the city and the Aegean Sea. We had a little bit of free time to shop around, but a lot of us sat down and played guitar and sang by the water. It was a great way to end the day and a great start to a weekend in Thessaloniki!

– Marissa Morrow