Student Dialogues - Program Experiences

1. Student Dialogues - Program Experiences Please also view the student dialogue on the sites and the program highlight presentation

2. Claire Smith Studying abroad in Greece was an eye-opening experience. It allowed me to emerge myself into a different culture while also relating the information that I learned in class to what was going on in the country around me. It was amazing to see how each part of the country was so different from each other but at the same time think about how they were all at one time so much more similar than they are today. Overall I am glad that I was able to have so many different experiences and would not trade this opportunity for anything.

3. Candice Gibson When I first decided to do the Study Abroad Program in Greece, I was most excited about the hot weather, beautiful people, and great beaches. As soon as I actually got to Greece the experience gave me so much more than just that. After being here for a month, I can honestly say that I gained a new perspective on Greek culture and even my own way of life. We visited so many monuments such as the Agora, Acropolis, and Mycenae – which opened up my eyes to the vast culture that began thousands of years ago, and the global influences that continues today. I was exposed to new foods like Moussaka and Pastitsio, but I was also able to try authentic favorites such as Gyros and Souvlaki. In many ways, being in Greece for such an extended period of time allowed me to grow as a person. I’ve had to adapt to not only embracing a different culture, but also to being in a group of people with such differing personalities- and I am proud to say that I have succeeded in that area. Greece gave me more than beautiful beaches; it gave me an appreciation for history, a newfound love for Greek cuisine, and insight as to who I am as a person and my ability to adapt outside of my comfort zone.

4. Carolyn Smith My time studying abroad in Greece was absolutely amazing! I tried new foods, met new people and went to new places, allowing me to step out of my comfort zone and into the world. The various historical sights of Greece are breathtaking and being up close to them and learning the history was remarkable. Being immersed in a different culture was an eye-opening experience and it really gave me a different perspective of the world. I am so glad that I took advantage of this opportunity and I feel that studying abroad is something that every student should experience.

5. Bianca Bernardez My trip to Greece was awesome. I would definitely have to say without a doubt that I have expanded my horizons. I have engaged in conversations with people I normally wouldn’t and found it was very refreshing for I took lessons away not just from this country but the people and classmates. Greece has become like another home for me. I feel like I have been here for a long time even though it’s only been a short month. During this trip I have travelled around Greece ate at Greek restaurants, cruises, museums, stadiums, theaters, and this widened my scope a whole lot, for I learned about the history, the culture and a little bit of the Greek language. Overall I enjoyed my experience here in Greece. I believe I am a better person for it and if I could do all over again, I would. I got the taste of Greek I was seeking for when I applied for this program and I am 100% appreciative, grateful, and thankful for this opportunity.

6. Jack Tomaselli This month I participated in the Study Abroad program in Greece. It has been wonderful. In these four weeks, I have been all over Greece, studied business on an international level, and met some really amazing people. We stayed in Glyfada, made frequent forages into Athens, and took trips to Delphi, Corinth, Mycenae, Cape Sounion, and Hydra, just to name a few. Out of all the places we saw, my favorite most definitely has to be the top of Mt. Lycabettus. Mt. Lycabettus. is the tallest point in Athens, and I went up to the top twice. To say the view was breathtaking would do it an injustice; it was phenomenal. From the top I could see all of Athens, spread out in front of me like a toy city. Through this program I have been able to see the economy of Greece first hand, and has gained insight into not only how they do business, but what they have already done in the past that so greatly influences our lives today, both in and out of the business world.

7. Dana-elle Martin Growing up I loved movies like Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants and Mamma Mia. The beautiful scenery, the rolling mountains, and the angelic waters were places that I one day hoped to visit. When the opportunity to visit Greece presented itself during my junior year at Stony Brook I realized that I had to live out my fantasies that I created from watching these movies by partaking in this study abroad program. This opportunity was perfect for me because as a Business Major they offered courses like International Business and Entrepreneurship that could be used to satisfy my graduation requirements along with providing me the opportunity of a lifetime to see places that I’ve always wanted to visit. Learning Greek mythology and the rich language was fascinating as we visited ancient ruins of Delphi, Mycenae, Epidaurus, Acropolis, Corinth, Cape Sounion, and the Agora, I was able to walk in the footsteps of historic philosophers like Aristotle, Socrates, and Plato where they discussed government and politics. I have been able to shop in the Plaka and practice my own trading skills. I have been able to see the shrines dedicated to Aphrodite and the tomb of Agamemnon. But, the best part of my entire trip has been visiting the Greek Islands that my dreams spurred from. During our one day cruise to Hydra, Poros and Aegina I rode a donkey through the tiny alleyways and quaint streets of Hydra touching blue and white houses and admiring the beauty of it all. This was miniscule to others but to me it was everything I had dreamed of and hoped to experience. My ultimate highlight was visiting Mykonos and seeing the culture of the communities that made up these beautiful tourist destinations. I took pictures of beautiful blue top church houses and slept in a quaint guest house overlooking windmills and the majestic waters of the Aegean Sea. I must say this trip has been everything I hoped for and more I’ve learned so much about international business and Greek culture and I will never forget the lasting memories and friends that I made here.

8. Jennifer Hanrahan Visiting Greece has been a humbling experience. The sheer size of the monuments and the fact that there are many of them is enough to make anyone appreciate how grand it must have been to live here in ancient times, and the beauty is enough to take ones breathe away. Most of them are situated in such beautiful places, albeit hard to get to, for instance the Parthenon is on the Acropolis, or highest point, and the stones after so many have walked on them are slippery. The Temple of Poseidon is situated on a finger of land jutting out into the sea, such a mesmerizing view, but again, tiring to reach. The islands I've seen have also been beautiful, Hydra was my favorite, but that might be because that's where we rode donkeys. It fascinated me that on this island that was the primary source of transportation, it might have been a show for us tourists of course, but even the baggage to be brought up to the hotels was strapped to donkeys and brought up that way. This trip has given me a taste of Greece that has made me hungry for more, I'm definitely coming back.

9. Jenny Wu Greece was a wonderful experience for me. I learned a lot here and met so many awesome friends. I did a lot of things I normally wouldn’t do such as riding a donkey for the first time when I was in Hydra and climbing a mountain in Delphi. I would definitely come back to Greece in the future because I feel like there is so much yet to see.

10. Julieana I. Magriz In brief, my experience in Greece has been grateful and fruitful. From admiring the Acropolis, to being captivated by the beauty of Hydra, I can go back home with an everlasting memory of my stay in Greece along with the Business Program at Stony Brook University. The excursions are worthwhile, and I came back to a spacious, and clean hotel – which made such a substantial impact on my stay at Greece. My outlook on life will not be the same, because of the cultural and industrial difference between Greeks and Americans. I am absolutely coming back to Greece next year, and encourage everyone to tour Greece once in his or her lifetime.

11. Ryan Ong The Greece study abroad experience gave me the opportunity to experience living in a different culture, making new friendships, and see what the world has to offer. With its scenic mountains, ancient ruins, and beautiful beaches, Greece made me realize that there are still so many things in life that I have yet to see or experience. Being a history and architecture buff, I really enjoyed visiting all the ruins; I am amazed how the ancient Greeks had the knowledge and capabilities to build such splendid sculptures and temples. Aside from that, I also had a blast tasting different kinds of dishes that I would not normally eat back home. But most of all, I feel that the most important thing about this study abroad program are the friendships and memories that made the trip even more memorable. Without a doubt, this Greece study abroad program is the highlight of my summer.

12. KimayahFroston Greece has been the first country that I have had the opportunity to travel to for Study abroad. This trip has given me numerous memories to have for a lifetime. I have enjoyed the variation of meals we have been given from the gyros, to the lamb, to the souvlaki chicken. The pastries and desserts are amazing and I must admit that after eating a gelato for the first time, I almost wish I could take a huge tub of it back home with me. While being here I have had the opportunity to climb several mountains, one of them being Parnassus, the second highest mountain in Greece. We also visited the Parthenon, which was beautiful to see up close. The temple of Poseidon was another location that had an amazing view of mountains and the Aegean Sea. Coming to Greece has been an amazing experience for me and I am glad that I decided to partake in this study abroad program.

13. Nicole Altimari As someone who has never left the country before, I was really excited to go to Greece. Considering this was the first year that this program was running, this study abroad trip has more than exceeded my expectations.  Coming here to take business classes was enlightening because the professors incorporated the current events and economic uncertainty that was affecting Greece.  It wasn't just all about business either, throughout the trip we visited historical sites and well as several beaches, which made the program very well rounded.  Between climbing huge hills to reach the ancient sites of the Parthenon and Delphi, hanging out at the beach or hopping on the tram to visit Athens for the day, the experience I had was amazing and I definitely recommend this as a trip worth taking.

14. Steve Song • I had a wonderful opportunity when I got accepted to Stony Brook University’s The College of Business Study abroad in Greece program. Not only did I learn about important cultural aspects but I picked a once in a lifetime experience that will stay with me for the rest of my life. Every day we had the opportunity to travel within Greece to many monumental structures and historical sites of the country. We had the chance to learn the business aspects and cultural differences of Greece that could be extremely useful when dealing with international business. We had two great professors/advisors along with us during the trip which added to the enjoyment of learning and living the experience. I personally loved the atmosphere and cultural difference in Greece, enjoying their food, lifestyle and people. It really makes a difference to visit a country than to just read about it online or in a book, because the experience here gave me an entirely different opinion compared to my original one in the beginning. Overall I met new friends, learned important skills and about the Greek culture that will stay with me for the rest of my life.

15. Study Abroad Summer 2012 We’re going back!

16. Please also view the student dialogue on the sites and the program highlight presentation