The 2025 Journey to Greece Program is well on its way this year, with the students participating in several incredible experiences this week, and more to come before finals next week.

Beginning with an amazing three-day trip last weekend to the Cycladic island of Naxos, they traveled on a high-speed ferry to Tinos, Mykonos, Syros, and Paros before arriving at Naxos. From there, the students explored the town’s rich history, with the Venetian castle just a short hike from the hotel. The nearest beach, Ag. Georgio was also a 10-minute walk from the hotel, and the students enjoyed its white, soft sand and shallow waters.

The first evening, the students were treated to dinner in the nearby village of Aghios Prokopios. After dinner, there was a “Greek night” with live music and dancing, and the next day, the they had a free day to do whatever they wanted. Some decided to explore the town of Chora, while others went to the beach. The last day, after breakfast, they walked to the archaeological site of “Portara” (Temple of Apollo), where the famous door that characterizes Naxos is located.

Upon returning to Piraeus, a chartered bus waited for the students at the port to take them back to the Athens center, and when they returned to classes, they were treated to an outdoor theatrical performance entitled, “Medea and Friends I Met Along the Way.” It’s a comedy in English about a British tourist who comes to Greece, falls, hits his head, and loses consciousness. When he wakes up, he’s in ancient Greece and comes across characters from the ancient Greek tragedies and mythology. The performance took place at the Webster Athens Cultural Center rooftop in the Plaka area, located behind the Roman Agora and below the Acropolis.

On Monday the students visited the Center for the European Parliament that recently opened in Athens, where a visitor from the AHEPA Paris chapter spoke to the students about the EU Parliament giving them a tour of the facility. This weekend, the students have free. Some are traveling to visit family, others are traveling to the islands, and some are staying in Athens to explore.

Next week will be busy, starting out with the optional one-day three-island cruise to the nearby islands of Aegina, Hydra, and Poros. They’ll have a pre-departure meeting and farewell party on that week, preparing for another exciting adventure and to say goodbye when it’s all over. Dina Skias, Director of Student Affairs, and Study Abroad Coordinator said, “The students are embracing the experience and have developed friendships that I believe will be long-lasting. They are already talking about reunions when they return to the States.”