| Stepping into Athens felt like walking into a living museum. After barely a week of living in Greece, we toured the Acropolis—something I’ve only seen in textbooks and movies. Standing in front of the Parthenon, with views stretching across the city, was an incredible and humbling experience and quite overwhelming. There’s so much history in the air, and I’m learning quickly how Greeks treat their heritage with deep respect. Within this first week, one of the first cultural differences I noticed is how relaxed and relationship-focused Greek people are. Meals are slow, and there’s an emphasis on enjoying the moment. All locals are incredibly friendly and hospitable. Our welcome dinner at Mavromatis showed that beautifully. We sat for hours, enjoying shared plates, fresh food, and lots of laughter. It was my first taste of Greek hospitality, and I already feel more connected to this country. The campus at ACG is quite modern and impressive. I noticed it’s much quieter than CofC’s, with fewer students during summer, but it’s set against lush greenery with mountains in the distance. Professor Mueller has definitely emphasized and encouraged us to look beyond the classroom and to consider what marketing means in a global context. It’s exciting to connect what we’re learning to the culture surrounding us. I’ve started practicing basic phrases such as “kalimera” (good morning) and “efcharistó” (thank you). It’s a small gesture, but locals really appreciate it. I’m already seeing how even small efforts to respect another culture can be so helpful. I’m learning quickly how Greeks are known for their friendly smiles and genuine warmth, making visitors feel immediately comfortable. I’ve seen this in how we’ve been offered food, drinks. Locals are happy to share their knowledge of local attractions, restaurant recommendations, and insider tips. They are also very eager to assist us with directions, and finding information which has been so helpful navigating the metro into Athens from Agia Paraskevi. One local explained to us how the concept of ‘xenitia’ plays a role in Greek hospitality, which refers to the feeling of longing for one’s homeland when away, and Greeks strive to help alleviate these feelings for tourists, which is such a beautiful aspect of their culture. I can’t wait to experience more this month in Greece! |
