Greece 2022 Study Abroad - Whittier College

Jai Battle Start Date: Dec 20, 2021 - End Date: May 28, 2022

My Travel Story

by: Jai Battle Start Date: Dec 20, 2021 - End Date: May 28, 2022
Whittier College Study Abroad - 
Since I can remember, I have used the powerful yet lyrical prose of classic Greek literature as my bridge from a contemporaneous reality to places synonymous with a different time or place. These classic texts have permitted exploration of the tumultuous, wine dark seas of The Iliad to the transcendental clouds of Olympus. The captivating language of Ancient Greek texts has only bolstered my fascination and curiosity for the heavenly places and cities it depicts. Simply, this faculty-led program sanctions an opportunity to fully immerse myself in the place this literature is synonymous with, cultivated and inspired by. It is an immeasurable occasion to garner cultural community and knowledge. If given the chance, I am committed to embracing this culture with nuanced perspective as well as historical understanding, in order to maximize the cultural capital that is found from the marble steps of the Parthenon to the cyan rooftops of Santorini.

In addition to a life-long sensationalization of Ancient Greek literature, I believe I am equipped with the necessitous collaboration and communication skills needed in order to optimize this trip to the fullest. In Spring of 2020, I was selected for the Rustin Fellowship Committee as a student representative. In this position, I had to thoroughly articulate comments and concerns about potential candidates to a board of English department faculty members. In addition to displaying responsibility, this experience has been instrumental in forming higher-level collaboration skills. My ability to ebb and flow in a group dynamic also derives from my time as co-president of the Active Minds mental health club. In this position, I worked closely with a student-led board to correlate innovative meeting topics surrounding mental health as well as engage my fellow Poets with mental health awareness. As a final testament to my communication and collaboration ability, I have been a member of the women’s lacrosse team since freshmen year. Through traveling to various tournaments and attending routine practices, my participation on a collegiate sports team has fundamentally instilled a sense of community and respect for my peers and the experiences shared together. Ultimately, I believe that these experiences position me as an ideal candidate for this program and will allow me to study, travel and even live comfortably and seamlessly in group environments.

Greece: Sailing the Wine-Dark Sea: Why the Greeks Matter
(Professor David Hunt)
This course will explore Greek history, culture, and...beaches with stops in Athens, Delphi, Olympia, Sparta, Mycenae, Naxos, and Santorini.