Wild International

In response to the assignment, Greek and Roman culture have had an enormous and far-reaching influence on Western culture. If we even look at language we can see how medicine, law, botany, physics, and theology are rooted in Greek and Latin. Given that consideration, romance languages such as French, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese are rooted in Latin. English borrows heavily from Greek and Russian is an evolved form of ancient Greek.
The major Greek philosophers Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle continue to teach students of intellect and history how to think, and that it is important to question life and the world. Modern government and democracy are extensions of ancient Greek and Roman invention, and a quality city life itself is owed credit to Roma.


Reading through everyone's postings is very nostalgic and brought back good memories of a trip that already feels far away.

Arriving in Greece was disorienting. For a first time international traveler, I felt that something extraordinary was about to happen, yet driving from the airport to Athens, I was reminded of southern California.
Traffic signs were in Greek and English, and I remember seeing more signs for businesses in English than there were in Greek. This both saddened and frustrated me.
I found that Athens is largely tourist driven city and that it was the tourist attractions that were taken the most care of, whereas the rest of the city was left to vandalism.
I also struggled with not knowing any of the Greek language at all. I wanted to be respectful of the culture and of the lands that I was visiting,and be as humble as I could be, but Greek was very difficult for me to learn. Luckily, English was understood by most people, though I feel like the dumb American for relying on that convenience.



Something that occured to me, and that I mentioned in one of our class periods, was that this travel experience symbolizes a catharsis for me in my own life, and that catharsis mirrors the self-actualization that is discovered through personal "tragedy" (tragedy being used in the form of losing personal footing, recovering, and becoming stronger for it).
We all move through struggles, that is nothing new to report. What was important to me was realizing that my own personal struggles are not only typical of the human condition, but in that process of moving through a tragedy, and overcoming it, I become something greater, and wiser than I was before.
This class helped me to understand that, not only about myself, but that great minds thousands of years before me, and through out all of human history have gone through the same process. That made sense, and was comforting.



That understanding also helped me to appreciate the value of comedies and tragedies in literature; something that I never cared about before. They are tools to help us better understand ourselves, and human nature.



It is absolutely mind-blowing and awe inspiring to think about how much has been thought, and planned, and built, and destroyed, and then built over again, over and over, for thousands of years. The Greco-Roman history is so vast and complex that it is almost a joke to write an essay about how it affected Western culture; it's enough to find where to begin.
Listening to our tour-guides communicate their thoughts to us in English was also overwhelming. Understanding that these people not only speak multiple languages, but that they are thoroughly educated in world history, and it's normal to them. I felt so far behind in my awareness and education. But I am so thankful that I met them and now have a thirst for linguistics and history. It's all connected.



Know thyself. When I think about this now, it holds different meanings to me. Know who you are, and what you are capable of. Also know that you are capable of change and accomplishing great things. Know that you are responsible for your actions, and reactions. Know your limits, and know when to push them.



Returning home was a relief, I was so exhausted, and I still had so much to do. Returning to work was not fun, talking about my travels with co-workers WAS fun. Catching up on my homework has been difficult, but I am so happy to have had this opportunity that I don't mind at all.

I am beginning a new chapter in my life, and this class was the end of the last chapter. I am still working through the old crap that has bogged me down for so many years, but I know that it is normal and it is a process.
Thank you all for the time we spent and I hope to see you again some time. Maybe I will see you again in Europe! I will definitely be returning to Itala, and when I return I will speak only Italian, and I will treat myself to a new Italian wardrobe.
Ciao,
Geof

resopnse to the highlights

Great blog! I really liked what you talked about in this blog about what Nina said “Know thyself” and about the quote from Oedipus the King “Let us be sure of our beliefs”. This trip did just that for me; it helped me to better understand myself and stand firm on my beliefs. I’m a psychology majour and one on f the main resin I choose this major was to better understand my mind’s why of thinking and learning style because I have Dyslexia and ADHA. I know my strengths, weakness, learning style and what I’m passionate about. I know who I am ,what makes me happy and I don’t want to miss out on what I was put here on the earth for. I love to travel, learn about other cultures and religions. That is what I am going to do, I’m dyslexic and I think God I am because I now truly see that dyslexia is freedom to one’s mind, it makes me how I am. My beliefs, I’m a Christian and I believe that there is an afterlife and that all things are possible throw Christ who strengthens me. I also believe that what Jesus Christ said in the book of Matthew 22:36-40 One of the Pharisees tested Jesus with a question, "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" (Matthew 22:36 NIV). Jesus replied, " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments" (Matthew 22:37-40 NIV). I know that this is what I must live by because one day we will all die and I don’t want to live my life on for things I cannot take with me when I die such as money and materialistic things. But rather love and worship my God no matter where I am on this earth and partake in the joys in life that come from loving your neighbor. This earth we live on is just one big neighborhood and all are our neighbor whether their Americans, Greeks, Italians or of any other nationality and religion. I want to see this whole world learning, teaching and helping others. If I can do just this I would have lived an extraordinary life. I don’t just want to live for a paycheck but rather enjoy my carrier and life.

Explorations of Classical Greco-Roman Culture: The Highlights

Explorations of Classical Greco-Roman Culture: The Highlights: "This was my first educational trip and I must say that I enjoyed it and learned much from participating in the program. Initially I had a to..."

michael's responce to the highlights

Great blog! I really liked what you talked about in this blog about what Nina said “Know thyself” and about the quote from Oedipus the King “Let us be sure of our beliefs”. This trip did just that for me; it helped me to better understand myself and stand firm on my beliefs. I’m a psychology majour and one on f the main resin I choose this major was to better understand my mind’s why of thinking and learning style because I have Dyslexia and ADHA. I know my strengths, weakness, learning style and what I’m passionate about. I know who I am ,what makes me happy and I don’t want to miss out on what I was put here on the earth for. I love to travel, learn about other cultures and religions. That is what I am going to do, I’m dyslexic and I think God I am because I now truly see that dyslexia is freedom to one’s mind, it makes me how I am. My beliefs, I’m a Christian and I believe that there is an afterlife and that all things are possible throw Christ who strengthens me. I also believe that what Jesus Christ said in the book of Matthew 22:36-40 One of the Pharisees tested Jesus with a question, "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" (Matthew 22:36 NIV). Jesus replied, " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments" (Matthew 22:37-40 NIV). I know that this is what I must live by because one day we will all die and I don’t want to live my life on for things I cannot take with me when I die such as money and materialistic things. But rather love and worship my God no matter where I am on this earth and partake in the joys in life that come from loving your neighbor. This earth we live on is just one big neighborhood and all are our neighbor whether their Americans, Greeks, Italians or of any other nationality and religion. I want to see this whole world learning, teaching and helping others. If I can do just this I would have lived an extraordinary life. I don’t just want to live for a paycheck but rather enjoy my carrier and life.

An Awesome Experience: An Awesome Experience

An Awesome Experience: An Awesome Experience: "Blog By: Ellen Harris-Harvey Our journey across the Atlantic Ocean to another world and culture was an awesome, enlightening and eye-openi..."

Explorations of Classical Greco-Roman Culture: An Awesome Experience

An Awesome Experience

An Awesome Experience

An Unforgettable Journey

An Unforgettable Journey

The journey we all took to Greece and Rome is one that is difficult to put into mere words; in fact, there are no appropriate words to express what an amazing experience this was. It was truly a blessing to go and I am very thankful for it; this trip happened during a difficult time (my grandmother had a major stroke and had to make the fast decision of her moving in with us), and I really wondered if I was making the right decision in going. But thanks to God and my wonderful family, I was able to make my way to Greece and Rome! However, I think the difficulty of getting there made it all more worthwhile. There are some major experiences which truly impacted me and made my journey unforgettable.

The first experience, in both Greece and Rome things go slower--except for the cars and scooters--eating is like taking a whole day of relaxation and socialization; food and company is greatly enjoyed as this routine could last up to two hours or more. Food is served in courses which I find to be a lost art; although this may seem time-consuming, eating in courses at a steady rate allows food to properly digest, we are able to savor the food, and it also creates a friendly social environment. The timing of eating is also something I appreciated while visiting Greece and Rome; in America, we tend to have a light breakfast (if any), a sizable lunch and large dinner. however, the Greeks and Romans have a proper breakfast, large lunch (hence the many meal courses) and a light dinner; this is actually very good for people's health. Even coffee takes an hour or two to enjoy--not like me sitting here drinking coffee in order to stay awake through my studies. If you say, "Let's go for a coffee" in Greece and Rome, it s a time to sit, enjoy the nature around you and the people you are with and enjoy the drink: coffee is not meant to keep you awake in the car! I really enjoyed it and appreciated the lesson this cultural tradition taught me: here in America, meals are mostly rushed, eaten alone, or on the go such as in the car. In Greece and Rome, eating is an event: everyone sits down together, talks socializes, enjoys every bit of food and drink, sometimes lasting up to two or three hours giving people the chance to converse, enjoy and digest their food. Food prepared in courses is adventurous, discovering a new course which allows people to relax and slow down. Likewise with coffee, you savor the moment, the people you are with, and the flavor of the drink; unlike us who gulp down the coffee to stay awake. Honestly, some of my favorite times spent in both Greece and Rome were sitting in a little cafe, relaxing, drinking coffee, eating food and socializing with friends.

Another amazing part of both Greek and Roman culture is the historical significance. The Parthenon which is thousands of years old still stands strong in Greece today; as does the Temple of Poseidon and many others. Seeing those historical monuments, hearing the stories which have shaped and passed through them and listening to the wind blow through those columns made me stop and think: I and all of us as a group were walking the same ground and listening to the same wind which was once trod and heard by people many years ago. Also, standing before these incredible structures below (the one on the left is The Parthenon and right is The Temple of Poseidon) ,

brought to mind the plays and literature passages we have been reading in this class; we had the opportunity to be in the places where the myths took place! Being in these places made Oedipus' kingdom and the terrain come alive and even helped in gaining a stronger understanding of the characters and the play itself. Historical and ancient monuments which were built hundreds of thousands of years ago are still there; although these structures are in ruins, these ruins, these ruins still represent the strength, beauty and uniqueness which is as strong today as it was in ancient times. Likewise in Rome, years and years of ruins are still standing and being discovered. According to one of our tour guides in Rome, the Roman people--once their city was conquered, or falling into disarray--would rebuild a new city on top of the older or "first" town. In fact, there are twenty years of ruins yet to be discovered since Rome is a town built on top of a town and another town...layers of towns. This is so different compared to America: here, when something new is going to be constructed, the old is torn down and the new is erected. Nothing is preserved, valued for its worth and saved; therefore, many of us do not have much historical significance in the everyday life. Whereas in Greece and Rome, history is not only valued but valiantly preserved. You cannot turn around without coming upon a building or construction which was and still is a part of the country's history and culture. Both the Greeks and Romans built around, next to, or on top of thousand year old buildings and the thought of tearing it down would force you to wear the "all seeing eye" for protection! Below is a visual example of preserving history, while reconstructing the necessary areas for modern day life:

The Corinthian columns are still intact as well as the original stones which make up the wall. You can also see to the right and left of this building are the modern structures; if I remember correctly one of our tour guides explained that this building was used for stock brokers. The third major experience was really meaningful to me was the Sistine Chapel. Since we were not able to take pictures inside the chapel, this is the only picture evidence that I have that shows I was actually there:

Sistine Chapel holds a special meaning for me on many levels: first, as I am a Christian, stepping into the chapel was incredible. The depth of the Christian faith and spirituality is truthfully depicted by Michelangelo. He painted creation, the history of the Old Testament, Jesus Christ and his life, death, and resurrection; the New Testament, history of the apostles and the Christian life, faith and struggle is all there in one room beautifully painted in every corner of the chapel. Walking in took my breath away: the colors, the details, and the meaning behind it all made me feel overwhelmed and I felt like crying and was so happy to be there all at the same time. As I gazed on that painted room, I felt the Lord's presence with me there as I pondered all that He has done for me; seeing Christ's life and love upon those walls is impossible to fully describe but I'm so thankful to have had this opportunity to be there, and recalling the verses I have read in the Bible. Also I loved how Michelangelo accurately illustrated creation, the history of the Old Testament, New Testament, and Christ, His birth, life, death and resurrection. Also, the Christian life today and the Lord's Holy Spirit: for example, in the area of the Last Judgement, we see a strong man ascending into heaven holding a human skin of a full human body in his left hand. While this may seem disturbing, the significance behind it is that of the "new and old man". The old man represents the person before believing in Jesus Christ, still in bondage to sin and wickedness. The new man is the person's salvation in Christ; as we see the "new man" looking to be in heaven, he is putting off the old man which is now dead being dropped towards the earth/hell. He is a new man in Christ. I learned this in the art history class at Ohlone College and I really enjoyed it; everywhere we went in both Greece and Rome, I studied in that class. It was really amazing to see everything I had studied, observed and worked on come to life and become a reality for me! It was incredible! I really had to pinch myself and remind myself that I was really in these places, to be in the moment as it would soon be over. I believe that we here in America have the Greeks and Romans to thank for art, architectural styles such as the arch, dome, theaters, and columns. I will never forget my journey to Greece and Rome; it was a life changing experience, my view of the world has been expanded and I want to keep expanding it. I am so thankful that I was able to go...thank you Matt Bellino, Dr. and Mrs. Lowe, Dr. and Mrs. Clugston for your tireless work in making us feel comfortable, safe, letting us feel free to truly learn, explore and have fun. You gave us an irreplaceable gift that we will never forget! I will cherish the time spent in Greece and Rome and the memory always.

Journey of a lifetime

Before I went on this trip I hesitated about whether it was the right thing for me to do. I had just started a new position at work not long before signing up for the course and had to negotiate to take the time off. I was beginning to think it was silly of me to even have tried enrolling in such an endeavor, because of the a few roadblocks. But, after getting the go head and pleading case, I am very happy that I had attended. I knew I would learn many things on my journey.



I had read many pieces of Greek and Roman literature in the past, but there was always a disconnection until I really was and able to experience the grandness of everything for myself. In Greece we all visited many things but a few things really stuck in my mind. One was the emphasis relaxation and communication. Everywhere we went they had 4-6 course meals. No one was taking their food to go because they were too busy enjoying life and each other’s company. This is something I could learn to use in our western world, where everyone is always on the run. Another thing that made an impact on me was their respect for history. Nina, our tour guide, admitted to being required to do a project about the ancient cultures to just graduate high school. The city also had all of its most important monuments on higher grounds, such as the Parthenon and the old church that overlooked everything. You couldn’t go anywhere without being reminded of where they had come from. They also had small monuments along the road dedicated to not only those who died in car and motorcycle accidents, but also for those who had made it through. In American we tend to only memorialize the losses, but rarely take time and effort to be thankful for those who have made it through a tragedy. Lastly, in Greece, I took away the note that “individual meant idiot” and no one would want to separate themselves from the rest of society due to the fear of being an individual. I noticed that although many things have been modernized, many people had the same style and they didn’t try to stand out from one another. Looking around they had similar hair styles, clothing and even vehicles. This to be was somewhat disturbing, as I tried to imagine myself living in the country, as I enjoy American culture where a positive attribute to be unique.



Italy was the more of a spiritual place to me. It seemed as if the city was planned to accommodate the many churches and they had a theme that ran through the city. Unlike Greece, there were a few key architects, sculptors and artists that created most of the famous places we visited. Everything seemed to be built more illustriously than the buildings in Greece. The tour guide pointed out several houses that were privately owned, with family seals on each one. I felt as if they liked to show off their wealth which eventually brought about the downfall of the Roman Empire. I could see how these capitalistic views carried into modern day as wherever you went people lined the streets wanting to sell you whatever trinkets they could. I was shocked that even inside of the churches there were gift shops. But, overall both countries abilities to restore things older than about anything in our country was really amazing to see in person. I am glad I brought my sister along as well for the experience that took us out of our everyday routines and brought allowed us to experience the cultures of a world almost too different to imagine.

The Highlights

This was my first educational trip and I must say that I enjoyed it and learned much from participating in the program. Initially I had a tough time figuring out the purpose of the study as it relates to history as we got further into the trip I bagen to understand the meanings of the readings and the stories that were discussed. The highlight of trip in Greece was actually visiting Delphi. Visiting the city on top of the mountain gave me better understanding of the emphasis they placed on their thought, their ideas about truth and where it came from (if this makes sense) Delphi was like the center of their world, a place where all things were made known. I see them as a people that fought and struggled to keep these beliefs strong even to this day. When Nina said "know thyself" it meant you should first be sure about what you stand for, or else get sucked into everything else. In Oedipus the King there was a line that really struck me among many "Let us be sure of our beliefs". This is so true in every sense, in everything we do we must understand the core of who we are, what drives us, our own personal truth. I got a sense through the readings also that Delphi was a place where people went to find truth, if it could be found it would be found there, I saw the need of the people to put these beliefs in human form through literature and plays what better way to signify who you are than to make it a reality, to make it a touchable form of art, thus the need to create temples and arenas.
Rome was equally great, the highlight for me was visiting the Vatican and seeing the Pope. The form of expression that the Romans used to express themselves was painted art and sculptured art. I saw that many of the influences came from the fact that they had so much to draw from. In both places it was clear to me that there was some struggle to find an identity that was their own (meaning in both Greece and Rome). Yes Rome may have began with an attempt or honest attempt at the belief in mythology, but what seemed to have ultimately won was christianity, as the Roman catholic faith and practices is the example and foundation of many catholics and catholic churches around the world. When I say won I mean it literally, as they persecuted christians in the same arenas that they often used for their pagan exercises or games. This is the influence I would say that these two cultures have had on western civilization, games and the participation on a big scale. I view of these two cultures is that they had a rich view of life and it was expressed in their art and culture. It is a trip that I would certainly do again.

Response to Jennifer

Jennifer,
I also enjoyed seeing the areas where democracy was developed and liked the description of how it evolved from Greece to Rome from the tour guides. I was surprised to see how the Greeks and Romans shared their culture (and gods) but maintained thier seperate identity (the gods changed names for ther Romans). I was impressed how the buildings were in such good shape when they were used as other things such as churches or politiacal buildings. One of the best things I saw was how open the catholic church was in seeing the Pope at a local church in Rome. Seeing the hisorical sites of ancient Greece and Rome allowed for contrast and understanding of the similarities and difference of two cultures.
Julie Krainick

Response to Deanna

Once again, Blogger is being irritating and not letting me comment on individual posts, so I'm once again responding as such...

Deanna-

I very much enjoyed watching Eat, Pray, Love. I have only seen the movie but am planning on reading the booka s well. I think that each step we take, each place we visit whether in our home town or abroad is a step towards regeneration. It can only happen if you want it to happen, and your willingness allowed it.

I agree that literature is a great thing all cultures have taken from Greece and Rome, without the use of written language and stories many legends and epic adventures would have never been sustained and without that many morals would have fallen by the wayside as well.

I believe Delphi was an intense moment for everyone, with each person taking something different way from it. I personally was amazed at the shear magnitude of it, and the ability for a group of people to build something like that with so many tiers on the side of a mountain. I think that is something American's lack, a place of such significance and a place to gather. The best I can think of in America that brings upon those feelings of resolve and awe would be Gettysburg, but it brings those emotions from tragedy instead of life like in Delphi. What do you think is a place like that in America or is there one?

I enjoyed reading your post.

Jennifer

Response to Michael

For some reason the blog won't let me directly comment to people so I'm doing it this way...

What was your favorite part of the trip? For me it was Delphi, I think it was a mixture of the surroundings as well as the immersion into the past by way to seeing the temple area and the museum. I am amazed that so much of our culture has come from the time period that we studied and yet many of the similarities I never picked up on. You spoke alot about your dyslexia, do you think that the originial schools of thought with Socrates and Plato, ect., were better suited to teach people of all learning types and backgrounds. or do you believe that the school systems that are in place now are more sucessful in teaching? It was a blast getting to know you, I hope that we can do another travel studies again!

My Experience in Greece and Rome

My second travel studies adventure with Ashford University proved to be just as enlightening as the first. Although the course design contributes to the experiences we have on the trip, it is the unexpected and unscheduled events that I find most memorable.

The Greek culture is very deeply based on philosophical thinking which was expressed to us in Nina's discussions at all the archaeological sites but was felt most intensely at Delphi. During the bus ride to the site, as Nina described the history and events surrounding the ruins, I was especially drawn to the inscriptions that had been on the entrance of the temple - "Know Thyself" and "Nothing in Excess". I was struck by how relevant these statements are today and how they will be just as pertinent hundreds of years from now. As I reflected on how the Greeks relied on mythology to help them understand life's important and difficult ideas, I came to understand how the stories such as Oedipus give us, even today, a view into concepts we many not be able to clearly understand or comprehend.

As we explored the various archaeological sites in Greece, Nina would, on more than one occasion, tell us about how the Greeks were survivors. I came to see what a proud culture they are and how they have held on to the lessons of the past to help shape them into the people they are today. Although the same could be said of our American culture, we are a relatively new culture compared to that of the Greeks. They have held on to important believes but have also moved into a modern age, finding a balance between yesterday and today.

The experiences in Rome were equally profound but, for me, held a stronger connection than that which I felt in Greece. I was awestruck by the art and architecture everywhere we went. The paintings and tapestries at the Vatican were like nothing we find in our country today. I had to wonder if there is an artist today who could be known to have the skill and talent of Bernini or Michelangelo. The works of Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel exceeded my expectations as our tour guide told us of all the hidden meanings and details behind the beautiful works of art. The walking tour of Rome with our Italian guide was again enlightening with the stores behind the sites we visited. His reference to Bernini validated my new found appreciation for this legendary artist. I was again in awe of the age of the buildings, fountains and sculptures we had the opportunity to experience. The Italians have taught the world about the beauty of art and how it should be preserved and adored for all and for generations to come.

I'm struggle to find anything in American culture that has left me with the same sense of awe as I had in Greece and Italy. Perhaps natural sites such as Yosemite or Lake Superior have the same impact on me, but I do not get the sense of amazement and significance associated with the history we observed in our explorations.

I walked away from this experience with a sense of appreciation for art and history that I had not had prior to the trip.I also came home with a sense of adventure to explore the art and history that is moments and hours away but to also learn more about the artists I came to know in Italy.

Greek Right brain thinking!!!!

This trip was amazing and I would go again in a heartbeat. I learned so much and I was able to see how the traditions and thought of the modern world. While at the temple of Athena our tour guide Nina talked about how in the ancient Greece it was the duty on every Athenian to speak their mind. Because if one has a brain and it thinking then they must say what’s on their mind. If they choose not to then that makes them an individual, they must be stupid and uneducated. The Geeks had philosophy which was a way of thinking that tended to look outside the box. They also had a strong infuses on theater with was used to teach about Greek mythology. The Classic Greek plays where so impotent that the States would pay for those who could not afford to pay for themselves. I have Dyslexia which is learning disability that affects one’s cognitive development of language based skills such as reading, writing and spelling. I learned while in Greece from Nina that the word dyslexia came from the Greeks and is a combination of to word’s that means difficult with words. Dyslexic’s think in images and it’s almost like a not stop movie in our heads. This is because dyslexics are right brain dominate. The modern western culture has changed completely from the ancient Greek culture. There is not a strong appreciation for thinking outside the box, day dreaming, speaking what’s on your mind and visual teaching. We live in a culture where everything is valued on written language and left brain thinking. Our travel study class was teaching on the works of philosophers, Greek mythology, classic dramas, we visited temples that where created by sculptures and looks at many works of art. All of these things are due to right brain thinking but in this modern culture when a child tries to express their mind and created thinking they are seen as dumb and label as educationally challenged. I asked our tour guide Nina if Plato and socorteses wrote down their own thoughts or had some one else write down what they were saying. She said that they most likely had some one else write down their thoughts for them. I was really nice to see that there was once a culture that was based on a right dominate form of thinking. I have done a lot of acting both film and theater and I love it. My mind’s thoughts never stops racing it’s like theirs a none-stop movie in my head this make it hard for me to write down my thoughts. There’s an old saying that says “a picture says a 1,000 words”. The way our modern world deals with this is with medication such as adderall. I have started taking adderall to help me focus and concentrate so I could be able to write papers and get my degree. But I have realized that it affects the way I think I don’t daydream as much and I feel like I have had to give up a big part of who I am just to gain a college degree. I wonder how life would have been if I had been born in to a culture like the ancient Greeks, that would have seen my way of thinking in positive way. This travel study’s class has made me look at my life in a different way and gave me hope for my future and gave me a better since of pride in the way my mind works.

Respose for Georgene

Georgene,
Greece was a beutiful land surrounded by the majestic sea and grand mountains. I can see why the ancient Greeks decided to place their significant buildings near such impressive natural areas. Italy by contrast was easier to place building in the same area and it was nice to be able to walk to different significant sites. I really appreciated not having to travel for hours to go to a historical site and van see how that may have impacted to more pragmatic thinkin of then Romans. All in all the travel study was a way for me to understand how the ancient civilizations may have developed.
Julie Krainick

Beyond My Expectations!!!

As I flew into Greece, I was astonished to say the least. No amount of reading prepared me for what my eyes beheld. Talking about compartmentalization, mountainous regions and the sea! I had envisioned a somewhat smaller city with meager sub-divisions to say the least. Both the Greek and Roman culture have influenced Western culture-govermental structure, architecture style, art, etc. I have to say that I believe that the Greeks have the most influence because they filtered into Rome and also influenced the other peninsula people that interacted with the Romans. I think the the two similar, yet very different structures that got my attention was the Temple ruins in Greece and the Churches in Rome. The Temples in ruins were destroyed, yet there are elaborate reminders of the splendor and awe they once held. Some of the Churches we visited in Rome appeared to be dilapidated in appearance from the outside; almost uninhabitable. Upon entering the sanctuary, I was in awe. The cement columns that surrounded the upper half of the church is amazing. I cannot fathom in my mind how this was accomplished. The craftsmanship and detail definitely classic Greek. I am grateful to have the experience. Thanks Dr. and Mrs. Lowe, Dr. and Mrs. Clugston and cheers to you Matt and your staff for a well planned trip. I'll treasure the memories always!!

12 day program that changed my life!

First I must say I wish now I would have paid better attention in Art, History and Geography classes. Taking the few things that I do remember growing up or my earlier years in college were now experienced first-hand. This travel study trip not only enlightened me to the degree that Greece and Italy has had on our culture today but it has given me a better understanding of folks behaviors that I know from Europe. It also has effected my life and the pursuit of happiness.

I would like to start off with Greece, not only do the Greeks have much pride in being Greek but to know that ancient Greece is one country that goes back to as far as 5,000 years ago. The many islands and majestic mountains brings this country to life within itself. The remnants that remain from the Bronze Age still have an influence on the country today. Honoring the gods such as Athena, Apollo and Zeus still hold many mythical stories being told not only as history but as a way of life in which Greece was built. When one sees the ruins of the Parthenon or any of the other ruins that still stand from the fifth century B.C. on the Acropolis you could not deny that this place is for real and that some stories from history are true. I can now look back at something as simple as two movies with a Greek foundation and see how they took real life Greece and brought it alive in today's and age. Two examples; My Big Fat Greek Wedding. One part of the movie the father in the show (Gus) says; "Give me a word, any word and I will show you how the root of the word comes from Greek" Our guide basically used the same type of the example when giving us a interpretation or definition of a word in relationship from Greek to English. And the next example is the movie, My Life in Ruins, which took place in Greece. One part of the movie they go up to Delphi and ask the oracle questions. Never realizing until our visit to Greece the history behind the oracle and that something such as this actually existed.

I think Rome had the most influence and impact on me personally. I can surely see why Rome had such an influence in the world when it came to art and architecture. To think of buildings in the US that were influenced by ancient Rome but cannot compare to the magnificent structures we saw as a group. As we were explained the logic behind many of the drawings done by Michael Angelo in the Sistine Chapel opened up many thoughts to my Christian walk as well as a better understanding being raised in the Catholic church as a child. There is no doubt that the Roman Catholic Church has a major influence still within the world today. I am still at awe at the massive buildings and still cannot imagine how they were constructed back then. Their attention to detail, craftsmanship and coloring makes one realize how much they took pride in their surroundings, religion and emphasis on the important things in life back in their time. It surely wasn't a fully loaded SUV like today.

I would say however my biggest take away is how as American's we seem to be spoiled and have become blinded to the simplicity of life. Bigger is not always better, the travel studies experience has made me come home and take things a little slower; enjoy the simpler things that life has to offer. Most of all I am thankful for the beautiful history, cultural, art, philosophy and architecture that these two countries have brought to the world back then and now. I do have to say the take away from many of our discussions within the class room and outside has really made me think outside the box and those 12 days will remain with me forever!

The Trip of a Lifetime

Trevi Fountain & Hadrian's Arch and Zeus' Temple


Never in a million years did I expect that I would go to Greece and Italy and get to experience so many amazing things that I had only read about. It was interesting to learn all of the cultural background and ideas that we deemed as our own, were actually variances of Greek or Roman culture. I personally believe that these similarities are best represented in democracy (even though the Greeks aren’t doing so well right now), architecture.

Democracy has been utilized in almost every civilization since ancient Greek times. Greece began the idea of democracy through the ideas of Socrates and Plato. Socrates brought along the idea that it is possible to “find an ethical or moral meaning to life” (Clugston R. , 2011, p. 13). As a student of Socrates Plato was able to expound upon the ideas of an ethical meaning to life through higher orders of reality such as justice. It forced people to not just feel if something was right or wrong but know that it was through deductive reasoning.

These theories lead to many of the Roman ideals on democracy. In Rome they made sure that one single person had all the power. It was distributed throughout many individuals that were “qualified” for the positions, one could not move to the next level without having been to all the lower positions first. “Republican government thus combined a sort of popular base with arrangements that left the exercise of power largely in aristocratic hands while also incorporating some measures of checks and balances” (Clugston R. , 2011, p. 6). This differentiation allowed the Roman culture to expand as well as sustain its cultural personality.

Being immersed in both of these cultures allowed me to realize that although the United States has formed democracy to fit the country and its people to the best of their abilities, this could not have been accomplished without taking into account the history of the Greco-Roman cultures and utilizing the strongest aspects of each culture.

The architecture of Athens and Rome were like night and day in the modern era. I was amazed at how horribly urbanized Athens was with very little of the expected small confusing roads. Now, I did get lost NUMEROUS times in Athens but it was always in a 10 block area around Plaka and Monastiraki. It was depressing to see the lack of sustained ancient culture. So little of what I expected was left, or at least inaccessible. I believe the best part of Athens was the meticulous Metro. On the other hand Delphi was one of the most amazing places I have ever been. The natural beauty worked perfectly with the temple area. I would go back to the Delphi area in an instant!!


Delphi Theater, Temple and valley & Coliseum

Rome is the architectural city of arches. Everywhere you look the Romans has outfitted their buildings with some type of arch which were used as structural support as well as decoration and airflow. After arriving in Rome, it was what I expected a city with so much ancient history to look like. Although the roads were much smaller and twisting than Athens, it was much easier to get around; I believe that this is due to the invention of the square blocks that are prevalent in the United States thanks to the evolutionary city planning of the Romans. I was consistently amazed at how much of the ancient Roman culture was preserved and how much archeologists are still finding.

The entire trip was fantastic and I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. I enjoyed meeting everyone as well as the hands on learning. The extra information the class received from the guides was unparalleled.

L to R: Christina, Mike, Jenn, Geoff

My Greco-Roman Experience

After I got home from the trip I rented the movie, Eat, Pray, Love. Julia Roberts' character made a profound statement while experiencing the ruins in Italy. She said, "ruins are the road to transformation." It hit me that my trip to Greece and Rome had been decided after a very tragic time in my life. I love ancient history, and I have always wanted to travel to the places that I have read so much about. This trip was just one small bit of my regeneration. Even though the ancient ruins we saw were just remnants of the grand buildings they use to be, they are still there for all to see. They stand in the midst of modern buildings, and the locals live their lives around them everyday. They are like Middle Eastern standing stones - reminders to the locals of their heritage and a spirit of perseverance. This made me think of my daughter's grave stone in a different way. It is no longer a sign of the destruction that took place, but it will forever be a reminder of my strength and fortitude.

My Greco-Roman experience is something much more than tourist sights, good food, and travel to someplace new. It is a beginning to my future and the transformation that is taking place in my life. History and literature are very dear to my heart, and standing in the places that I have studied so much about, for so long, is indescribable. My worldview does not change, but it is expanded. An experience like that cannot be fulfilling, in fact it leaves me hungry for much more. Every night the Feifers, my husband, and I would go out to a local cafe' for coffee and sit for an hour or more just talking. I can honestly say that it was among the most enjoyable parts of the trip. A time to just sit and visit - a time to wind down after a hectic day. I call it taking a little bit of Greece with us where every we go.

The greatest influence that the Greco-Roman culture has had on Western ideology is literature. Literature is a transmitter of culture, and as long as we read and reference these works we are influenced by the authors' thoughts and ways of life. I feel very fortunate to have these works to read and enjoy. The depth of their thinking and the breadth of their knowledge is impressive. I am humbled by their intelligence.

The last experience I wish to share is about Delphi. Standing on the side of the mountain in the midst of the ruins of that ancient holy city, I felt for just a few moments what they must have felt. They did not have electronics, electricity, or the sounds of modern life assaulting them from all sides. They lived simple lives compared to us, and because of that they were able to see the magnificence of the natural world. The beauty of that place was astounding. I could not even begin to describe it, and my pictures could not fully capture it. The center of the world - the navel. The most holy place in all the world to the Greek people. They could see the design and order that most of us fail to see. We might call them fools for believing in myths and tall-tales, but are we not as foolish to believe in the maker of those myths and tales?

Deanna Braggs

(I am submitting this without images, because I cannot get it to work. I will continue working on it, and see if I can add them later. I was running out of time.)

Blog assignment

Exploration of Classical Greek-Roman Culture


The coast of Greece

At first the lessons were in reading about ancient Greece and Roman culture but it was not until I actually saw the area and walked the historical sites did my understanding begin to deepen. The adventure began in the land of Greece with mountainous regions surrounding towns and cities and the sea surrounding the land. The landscape of the country gave me some insight into the development of the ancient Greek culture. Greece is a country of small islands and about 75% of the land contains mountains. I saw that limited opportunity to farm the land mat have led people to the bountiful sea; the mysterious and unpredictable sea may have lead the ancient Greek to discover new lands and different cultures, whether they planned to or not. The mountainous region did not allow for significant temples to be placed in close proximity and a long bus ride (or few days walk in ancient times) was needed to convey important religious or cultural information. The long boat voyage or distance to travel on land would lead the mind to wonder, if for no reason to ward off boredom. It is a natural occurrence for the mind to wander to areas of particular interest and I could see how the ancient Greek were able to come up with the deep thoughts of philosophy, study of nature and the need to use plays in order to convey learned information to the larger community.

At the temple at Delphi

Next the travel was a short flight to Italy. A short flight is also a day or less ship voyage; if you know where you are going. The ancient Greeks learned to study the stars to guide their ships and traveled to southern Italy where they were later conquered by the ancient Romans. I saw in Italy that the Romans could used the geography of their environment to help develop their culture as well. I saw that Italy has fewer mountains and is connected to a larger land base so the need to travel the sea was not as necessary. Because of larger available land for building, the important religious and cultural centers could be build within close proximity of each other decreasing the need for deep thought to ward off boredom. I enjoyed the fact that the major historical sites were within walking distance or short ride and I was able to get back to take care of daily activities easily. I think that less need to travel contributed to the more practical thinking of the ancient Romans. As the Romans sought to expand their empire they built roads, the roads were later used by travelers and merchants to get to Rome. As the old saying goes, all roads lead to Rome.

A Roman traveler

As the people came to Rome I could see the need for managing a large population became a priority so the Romans focused on creating a large population environment that included aqueducts for water, a grid pattern for streets to allow easy travel and the Latin language in order pass information along in a vast empire. I was impressed by the creativity ability of the ancients Romans to create systems of government, roads and buildings that we use today. If necessity is the mother of invention then the ancient Romans must have had quite a need. Roman Aqueduct

The ancient Greek and Romans never let lack of technology stop them from finding a way to fulfill a need with their available resources and how to use use natural abilities to maximise outcomes. Western culture has benfited from the Greeks literature, advances in math, medicine, and science. The Romans proved the basis for democratic government, grid systems for roads, and the Latin language as well as food, wine and a woderful history to explore from both cultures.

I enjoyed learning about art and culture of the ancient Greek and Romans because it was a way for society at that time to convey important information and serves as both information and beauty. The ability to take a look around and feel the thoughts of how life may have been was an experience that can't be gotten from a book. I will use the information I learned to teach my children of our Italian heritage and to deepen my understanding of different cultures and traditions as my work as a psychiatric nurse. I believe that learning never ends and there is always more I can learn and this travel study has deepened that belief in a positive way. I enjoyed sharing information with my daughter on this trip and the experience has both increased our understanding of other cultures and given us a shared experience to cherish.

Izzy and I at the Trevi Fountain

Welcome!

The "message" in the medium.

In the 1960's Marshall McLuhan, an English professor at the University of Toronto, wrote a book on communication theory, arguing that media are "extensions of man."And that, their ultimate significance is not in the content they contain or in their form per se--but in the "message" they convey. Thus, his memorable phrase, "the medium is the message." 

In my experience of being at the Acropolis in Athens, observing (unavoidably aware of the limits of my own imagination) and listening to descriptions of its size and artistic features, I was struck by the still palpable evidence of the massive structure's "message," even though its structural magnificence is so significantly diminished.

In one of his sonnets (#116) Shakespeare celebrated the permance of love, in a similar perspective:

"Love's nnot Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks

Within his bending sickle's compass come;

Love alters not with the brief hurs and weeks,

But bears it out even to the edge of doom:--

If this be error and upon me proved,

I never writ, nor no man ever loved."