Who said learning can’t be fun?

To get around Greece, participants will need to know the basics – both lingually and culturally. That’s why participants will attend Greek language classes and Culture Seminars throughout the span of the program.

Today, the participants split in to two groups, Beginners and Advanced. Over the course of the next two weeks, they will learn Greek, enough to get them around and enhance their existing knowledge. David Lilla, although he did not know any Greek, was fascinated. “I think Greek, as a language, is very unique. Being someone who doesn’t speak Greek, I’ve found that some words are similar to English and some completely different. Our classes have definitely helped me recognize common phrases, allowing me to better communicate with the locals.”

Knowing the language though is one half of the equation. They need to also know the context in which Greek culture was created. That’s why Dr. Gregory Katsas, a professor of Sociology at Deree, presented what modern Greek culture is.

He started by asking the participants, “What do you want to learn?”, to which the participants responded with a flurry of questions, ranging from history, ancient and modern, to the recent crisis and how modern Greek culture was affected by it. Before anyone knew it, the two-hour lecture was over. Everyone left wiser, Greek and Greek – American culture better defined in everyone’s mind. Dr. Katsas shed light on every day, mundane things, such as why Greeks love their coffee and spend so much time appreciating it.

An integral part of a Greek culture is the infamous souvlaki. The participants were treated to their first souvlaki, at a local restaurant called Tsi Tsi. Influenced by the Dr. Katsas’ Greek Culture Seminar, George Costidis, was intrigued by the differences between the two countries. “Culture in Greece is different to culture in America. People here are much more willing to enjoy the company of others, sitting at the cafe for hours even after they have eaten their food or drank their coffee. Growing up in America leads you to believe that life is meant to me lived fast, with no tolerance for anybody or anything that slows them down. But in Greece, you are expected to slow down and enjoy life.”

Culture comes in many ways and forms. From every day interactions, to ancient artifacts. Join us tomorrow as we delve into the ancient Greek world, through one of the most unique museums in the whole of Greece. The Acropolis Museum. Stay tuned!

Shh! Class is in session!

Greek Culture Seminar by Dr. Katsas

Our First souvlaki!