Last July, I had the unforgettable opportunity to travel to Greece with Global Summers Academy for their Classical Civilization program. I spent three amazing weeks studying the ancient Greek and Roman worlds while visiting some of the most beautiful places in the country—Athens, Crete, Syros, and Santorini.
Our days were filled with enriching classes focused on ancient societies, mythology, art, and architecture. But what really made the summer program special was how much time we had to explore after class hours. We were always in groups of four, which made it easy to bond with new people and share incredible experiences. Our teachers weren’t just academic mentors—they were our go-to guides for all things local. Whether we needed recommendations for dinner, wanted to know about events happening in town, or were just looking for something fun to do, they always had the best suggestions.
One of my favourite places we stayed at was the island of Syros. Our hotel rooms were perched on the side of a massive hill, giving us the most stunning views of the little town below and the nearby beach. The beach was only a five-minute walk from our hotel, so during our lunch break, my friends and I developed the best routine: tanning, swimming, playing beach volleyball, and strolling into town for the best gyros I’ve ever had. The town was full of locally owned spots, and every day we tried a different place.
Evenings on Syros were just as memorable. Our hotel had a tennis court tucked away behind the building, and as soon as the sun began to set and the heat mellowed out, a group of us would head over to rally and hang out. It was such a simple activity, but those evenings are some of my favourite memories—music playing from my speaker, chatting and laughing as we played, and the sky slowly shifting to pink and gold over the Aegean.
Outside of Syros, exploring was probably the biggest part of our free time across all the places we visited. Our hotels were in busy, vibrant areas with easy access to nearby towns; Crete was my favorite for wandering. Our hotel was right in the heart of an outdoor shopping district, with a seemingly endless maze of small streets, boutique stores, local artisans, and charming cafés. Every day, we’d pick a new route to wander down and we were never disappointed. The evenings always brought something new, from live music to pop-up markets. My group made it a mission to find a different kind of dessert every night, from loukoumades to gelato.
Crete also offered some of the most amazing historical sites we got to visit. Seeing the Palace of Knossos in person felt like stepping into the pages of our textbooks. When we weren’t soaking in the sun or searching for sweets, we were on the lookout for museums or historical landmarks. It felt surreal to walk through places that held such deep ties to the past, and it really helped solidify everything we were learning in class.
Looking back, my time with Global Summers Academy in Greece was more than just a study abroad program, it was a full cultural immersion! The free time activities, from spontaneous beach hangs to ancient site explorations, made every day feel like an adventure. I left with a deeper understanding of classical civilizations, lifelong friends, and memories that I know I’ll carry forever. Everyday I wish I could go back!
Thank you to our Student Ambassador, Kayla H. for writing this blog!
