Hello! I’m Melody Wauke, a Holy Cross Classics major from Athens, Georgia, currently studying in Athens, Greece, for the first semester of my junior year. I arrived here on August 31, just over a month ago. In the short time I have been here, I have already had countless opportunities to learn, explore, and interact closely with my surroundings and the people within them.
A typical day in Athens for me entails the familiar routine of going to class and doing homework, but also the new and exciting prospects of walking around my neighborhood, finding good cafes, riding the metro, and constantly having revelations about the derivation of Modern Greek words.
My adventures thus far have even spanned outside of the city of Athens. Our program recently went on a several-day-long trip to Crete, during which I was able to see several archaeological sites and learn more about the island (which a professor interestingly described as the “Texas” of Greece).
I am constantly amazed and comforted by how welcoming the people I have encountered here are. While most of the people in Athens do speak English (and very well, at that!), they are always very encouraging when I practice my Modern Greek and so excited when I express interest in learning more. As I begin my second month here, I look forward to exploring more both within and outside of the city and learning as much as I can about the people and culture that surround me.
