Day 12: Academia at it's Finest!

Tuesday, August 5th

Today, we’re fortunate to have two travel journals for you!

The first blog entry comes from Mae in Ms. Hrvatin’s English class.

Ten minutes before curfew, and only three people have sunk a ball

Technically we were supposed to be signing in at that point, but somehow we ended up gathering around the pool table like it was our personal arena. Chalk dust clung to our fingers. One cue was broken. Everyone huddled around the table like it was the Olympic finals. This wasn’t part of the itinerary, but it was the heartbeat of the day. 

 

Cafe Classrooms and Greek Supermarket Runs

On Tuesday, August 5th, we started our day with a buffet breakfast at the Aeolos Hotel. Class kicked off at 8:45 am, but classes here are far from traditional. Depending on the subject, students meet on patios, by the pool, at cafes, or even on walks. Today our group took a short walk, just 5 minutes down the road, to NERO, a quiet, scenic, waterfront cafe. This is funny because “nero” means “water” in Greek, and yet I still ordered an iced coffee. So, technically, I was hydrating. The whole class fit into one area, which was perfect for our Tempest quote analysis. Even with coffees in hand and an ocean breeze all around, we were focused. We analyzed an example, then worked through our own, learning how to balance structure with original insights. 

At 12:45 pm, lunch break started. Some people grabbed food, some stretched out in the sun, while others made their way back to the pool table, now an iconic meeting spot. After that we had our afternoon lesson on the patio. We focused on imagery and descriptive writing, practicing writing one sentence using all 5 senses in it. After the last period we read in our rooms and took power naps. We then got ready for, and had, dinner followed by sign out for the evening. After signing out most of us walked through a new part of town that we hadn’t yet seen. We walked up to an overlook of the town; it was beautiful. 

 

Standout Moments

One major highlight was having class in a local cafe. The location, the energy, the sea view, they all made the literature feel more alive. Reading The Tempest while literally sitting beside a somewhat tempestuous sea? Peak atmosphere. 

Another unforgettable moment: our pool table game (unofficial, of course) right before curfew. The pool table wasn’t just a game though. It became a magnet pulling us in, day after day, a symbol of routine in a place where no two days are exactly alike. 

One minute we were analyzing Shakespeare by the sea, the next we were watching someone try to sink the 8 ball for the tenth try. That’s the kind of day it was, equal parts academic and fun. 

 

Learning Abroad

I found that there’s something special about learning outside of a regular classroom. Sitting within a church, by the sea, even next to a bunch of Greek coffees in a cafe, it turns abstract lessons into something real, something we can taste, hear, and remember. I found myself paying attention in a new way, especially during the imagery lesson. It’s one thing to read sensory language within a novel. It’s another to feel it while watching waves crash up against the sand or tasting a local gyro you just bought 10 minutes ago.

 

Another Perspective

While our day was filled with a waterfront cafe, quote analysis, and pool games, the other classes had entirely different experiences. Simon described how his photography class visited the local church, the Church of Panagia Evangelistria, in the morning, where the peaceful atmosphere and detailed architecture made for great photos. He spent part of the day editing those pictures, capturing the quiet beauty. 

Callie shared that their day was much more debate focused, literally. Their class (Ancient Civilizations) split into two teams to argue whether Athenians or Spartans were better. The debate got competitive, but in a fun way, with everyone discussing historical facts. According to Callie, the discussion went on for hours, and it was one of the most engaging activities they’ve had so far. 

 

Why it Matters 

This program is about more than academics. It’s about building a connection with each other, with history, and with ourselves. Today taught me that learning is stronger when it’s lived, not just studied. From quote analysis to cue ball shots, it all counts.

 

What’s Next…

Tomorrow we’ll study inside the Church of Panagia Evangelistria, an icon of spiritual devotion before hiking to Koumaros, the island’s third highest peak. All I know is that there’s a sunset involved and a well-earned dinner waiting for us when we’re done. If today was about balance, tomorrow feels like it’s about elevation, in every sense. 

 

Our second blog entry comes from Chris in Ms. Amelio’s English class.

The alarms went off at 7:30 a.m., with sunlight streaming in. Breakfast was available between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m., with a menu that included eggs, bacon, bread, and both water and juice. Students were quiet, some still half asleep but already showing they were prepared for the day ahead.

Class started at 8:45 a.m., focusing on travel writing. We began with a Connections game to activate our mental processes. Afterward, we read a brief work by Dinty W. Moore titled Writing the Travel Essay and completed writing exercises. The questions addressed tone, language, and personal reflection techniques in travel writing. The author demonstrated how to use sensory details and personal reflections to create a compelling narrative, which in turn challenged us to think more deeply about our own personal experiences.

When class ended, several students took a brief break, walking down to the beach. The water was tranquil and the sun shone brightly. We stayed for about 45 minutes, with most people swimming and others sitting on rocks near the sand.

We returned for lunchtime, placing our food orders at the pool bar. The food delivery took an exceptionally long time to reach me. We ate beside the pool, sitting on poolside chairs, and the atmosphere remained peaceful.

After lunch, our teacher led a meditation session based on Circe, the novel we’re reading. We sat together on some rocks near the water and listened as she read a short section from the book. She asked us to close our eyes and focus on the words. It was a short session, but it helped everyone connect with the book and reflect on it.

Independent reading time was from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. I spent about an hour reading, while other students stayed with their books for the entire period. As I read, the sound of the sea in the background matched the story perfectly.

We gathered at 7:15 p.m. for our scheduled announcements. The staff confirmed that breakfast would be available from 8:00 to 8:30 a.m. and classes would start at 8:45 a.m., as usual. They also announced that we would be taking a sunset hike the next day, which was met with genuine enthusiasm.

After announcements, we headed to dinner. The meal included pork with potatoes, salad, and water, along with choices of pop and juice. The food was basic but satisfying and tasted quite decent.

Following dinner, we completed the sign-out process. A number of us decided to go back to the beach before darkness set in, while others chose to explore the town. The sunset painted the sky with orange hues that reflected on the boats at the horizon. The wind from earlier brought cooler air to our surroundings. Most of us decided to swim, and people took some photographs.

When we returned to the hotel, several students played pool, while some chose to head to their rooms early before sign-in. Room checks were at 11:00 p.m., after which we went to sleep.

We’re looking forward to our village tour and sunset hike tomorrow!