Documenting Cultural Heritage: Artifacts and TraditionsA service learning course in Paros, Greece

The island of Delos, Greece is home to many fascinating historic archaeological wonders and while many of the islands ancient temples and structures are of Greek origin, there are also a few sites on the island of Delos that were actually built by other cultures who visited the island during ancient times. On the island, there were temples dedicated to Egyptian gods and statues of roman soldiers, heroes, and kings, etc. This has proven that the Greeks on Delos were open to allowing others who visited their island to practice their own cultures and religions.

There is a story about how the island of Delos became lush with vegetation and how the Greek gods first discovered it and man settled on the island. The legend says that Zeus had a secret affair with a mortal woman and Zeus’ wife (the queen of the Greek gods) became jealous and tormented the mortal woman by not allowing her to give birth and by not allowing the god who would deliver the woman’s children down to earth from the heavens. However, after nine agonizing days and nights, the other Greek gods showed the mortal women mercy and allowed her to give birth on the island of Delos to her two children, who also happened to be the Greek gods: Apollo and Artemis. When the children were born, the island was filled with lush flora and fauna which also attracted men, women, and children to settle on the island and name it Delos. The island of Delos was mainly dedicated to Apollo with the ancient Greek Delians worshiping this god by building numerous temples and large statues in his honor. However, as the Athenians continued to conquer the island of Delos as well as many other islands of the Cyclades numerous times from the Delian people, the temples of Apollo were re-built in different spots around the island over and over again. Today, the island of Delos has remained an amazing historic site where archaeologists, historians, and tourists come from all over to see this beautiful island and all the rich history it has to offer.

In addition to being a cultural and religious hub for Greece and many other countries, during ancient times, the island of Delos had also become a huge, and very successful, commercial and economic center for both the Cyclades islands as well as many other countries who came to Delos to buy, sell, and trade goods with other merchants. During our tour, we were shown how the people of Delos setup their economic and commercial systems. Each country’s and/or culture’s shops and stands were setup in small quadrants around the island where the merchants and traders from that country could open stores and small markets to sell or trade their goods. There were a lot of these quadrants all over the island for regions like Athens, Venice, Rome, Delos, Paros, and some Middle-eastern countries as well.

Nick White

I’ve craved travel for as long as I can remember. When I was a kid I used to watch streaming videos from different places all over the world, watching people go about their days, wondering what it was like to be in another city, state, country. I ‘liked’ and ‘hearted’ internet friends’ posts as they traveled abroad through work and school. When the opportunity came for me, I was elated. It came at a time when I desperately needed change in my life.
As the plane took off from Indianapolis and landed in Charlotte, then from Charlotte to New York, New York to London, and finally London to Greece and I took my first step on foreign ground, I found myself terrified. After an exhilarating and whirlwind of a 2 day period, everything I knew and loved was five thousand five hundred and sixty six miles behind me. I had the change I wanted and suddenly I didn’t know what to do with it, and yet at the same time there was nowhere else I’d rather be. It was an exhausting and confusing feeling. The people I traveled with, who I initially thought of as school friends and classmates, quickly turned into people I consider family as we navigated the globe together. We’ve leaned heavily on each other with each new flight and city, celebrated our successes, shared our difficulties, and grown together throughout the course of this trip so far.
Throughout my life, ‘home’ has meant many different things, and sometimes it’s been difficult to decide when and where ‘home’ is. With my first experience abroad, I’ve realized what home is. Home is where I can grow and learn. Home is where I can sit with people I love, laugh and cry together, share the good things, let them help me carry the bad things.
In short, I am home.
Until next time,
Elise Walker

Salutations!

There are many times in life that I have wondered whether or not I am good enough for what lies ahead in my future. Countless times in my childhood, I have been told that I am such a nice and smart person. It always appeared to be so insincere; merely an attempt to shut down further conversation. I once thought that everyone only tolerated me out of biological or social obligation. I was sure everyone hated me and was talking horrible things about me behind my back, refusing to let me get feedback so that I would actually improve.

Never have I been so wrong.

The day started with me being late for class, as I needed to replace some scarves I lost. I tie up multiple of these scarves to make a cape, so it was worth the extra costs. Then I took more time to check on a gift for my sister and ended up getting an extra gift for my father. I was getting other people gifts on my birthday.

Class was simple enough, it was merely about watching the 3 videos, coming up with improvements, and sending them to the hard drive. I was even allowed to go back early because everything was said and done.

I spent the rest of my time talking with those in the villa and helping Alcey design the poster. We then went to dinner, where (almost) everything went splendidly! I ate an entire fish and salad! Over a dozen people simultaneously celebrated my existence and I didn’t even have to bribe them. On the contrary, they wanted to buy food for me.

Time in Greece has been very interesting. Things that would have left me heartbroken don’t even hurt. Discussions I would have found droll are invigorating. Such a new perspective and sights all around me. It truly allows me to see the bigger picture and evaluate myself in earnest. Perhaps I truly am the intelligent and kind man others have considered me.

Sincerely, Shamus! ♧

5 flights, 4 friends, 2 overnight layovers and countless memories briefly describe my travel to Paros, Greece. I don’t even know where to begin when talking about this study abroad trip – nothing I have ever experienced could ever compare.

I have spent the last 12 days on this small Island in the middle of the Aegean Sea, and these 12 days could be compared to months. In the time I have spent here I have biked around the circumference of the Island to watch the sunrise, hiked up some large hills, tried some new foods and created countless friendships. This has easily been the best two weeks of my life.

I am not one with words and in a class room setting, I am often the quiet one. This trip has broken me out of my shell professionally and socially, and I couldn’t be more thankful to be with all my classmates and amazing professors.  The moment I stepped foot on Paros, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. Any stress seemed to be left at home, and I instantly felt more like myself. I love change, I love new experiences, and I love challenges. Studying abroad has brought to me all three of these opportunities.

I would consider myself a picky eater, but something I have been trying to be more intentional on is trying new foods since being here. One of my first few days here, I tried a gyro. That may not sound like much, but it is a food I would have never tried if I were not here. Realizing that gyros are the best food in existence, and I can eat them for only 2.50 euros a day had me hooked. Since then I have had at least 6 gyros and still love them. But I couldn’t stop there, I had to try more. Since then, I have tried Octopus and was surprised. Trying new foods is all part of the Greek experience and I am so glad I stepped out of my shell and did something that scared me.

My key takeaway from this trip is to create and form friendships. Don’t be afraid to speak up and get to know those around you. Being surrounded by my classmates for this trip has been a unique experience with the vastness in personalities and it has helped me grow so much as a person. I have become close friends with people I would have never known otherwise, and I credit that all to this trip. Studying abroad has been my time to shine, my time to give my energy to those around me while also focusing on myself. I couldn’t recommend international travel more and I suggest any student to study abroad with IUPUI.

Autumn Eastom

A year ago, I achieved what I’d originally deemed impossible when I arrived on the Island of Paros for the first time in my life. It was only one in a series of firsts that lead me down a path of growth and opportunity for the better. It was the first time I’d traveled alone, been on a plane, gone over seas and taken care of myself in such ways. Now only a week ago I achieved another feat I originally thought unattainable and returned to the Island of Paros yet again.

My experience was in many ways a trial by fire and journey of self-discovery. Not only did I complete the course with new and valuable skills and a new family of lifelong friends, but I began to realize the potential in my abilities as a person. With the right attitude, work ethic and determination the possibilities were limitless. Before I returned home, I made a silent vow to return to Paros someday in the future. But little did I realize that future wasn’t so distant.

In December of 2018, Albert approached me about returning to the program as a teaching assistant and student leader. There was no question in my mind; I had to come back! My memories of the year before were filled with surreal sights and endless excitement. The way I saw it there was no reason to pass up the same adventure. But that’s been the challenge I’ve had to face this time around.

Last year, despite my rocky road of travel to the island, the following three weeks were near perfection. I’ve been told several times that we had an especially unique group dynamic that stood out from others. There was never a dull moment between us. Our range of talents, industrious focus and the way we operated as a team created a bond that had never been seen before in the program. It was my first experience being part of a course like this. And now from the standpoint of a leader, I’m realizing it was a standard I couldn’t hold my expectations to.

Though the trip to get here went much smoother than before, this first week has been trying for all parties involved. It started with some trouble sleeping, then tech issues, then rescheduled shoots, personal challenges or disappointments and a shopping run that became stressful when the locals didn’t understand the word “plunger.” There is a daily stream of obstacles that have kept me on my toes and at times I feel like I have failed at my job in a way. But that couldn’t be farther from the truth, and that’s a lesson I’m having to teach myself while here this year.

I have a terribly unhealthy habit of holding myself to unattainable standards. Part of me believes I should have more control and be able to stop these situations from occurring, but the reality is I need to accept when there are problems I can’t fix, especially when it comes to the emotional stability of others.

Everyone here was selected because they have a spark that can burn brighter if kindled correctly, but the circumstances can be unpredictable. If you try to light a fire in a rainstorm you will have a much more frustrating time than if you accept it can be lit another day. With that in mind, I’ve come to terms with the fact that I can’t control the weather. The most I can do is pass on the torch when the time is right. Though I can light the path I’ve taken for those that come after me to follow, it’s up to them which direction they head in. That’s the greatest lesson Paros has presented me with yet. I can’t wait to see what next year has to offer.

Alcey Childers

The farther from home I get, the more answers I find to the problems that Indiana has, or rather, the problems I have with Indiana. With every answer I find, I also have more questions.

I have rarely travelled before coming to Greece, and had only left the Midwest no more than five times before the beginning of 2019. All of this considered, I think I am handling this trip well. The excitement of experiencing a new culture has suspended my shock so far, and I am starting to feel comfortable on Paros. It’s funny how quickly we can adapt to a new situation; I already have a few favorite gyro shops and mini markets, and know where to go when I need a giant chocolate croissant (I mean, nearly a lethal amount of chocolate).

These past two weeks have lasted much longer than the sum of their hours. Life in Indiana seems long ago. The combination of jet lag and late nights has thrown my mind into a different place. Every night since my arrival, I have fallen asleep so quickly I don’t remember lying down. There’s one problem solved.

The other problems are a bit more difficult to describe though. In the heart of Indianapolis, I am constantly lost. The city is indifferent to everyone that passes through, and is just as fine without you.

Parikia (the city on the island of Paros), on the other hand, is easy to get lost in. You can fit in just by having your own little space to exist in. I don’t feel like I am in a hurry always like in Indy. The days crawl by, and you are encouraged to move at your own speed.

Finding a sense of belonging in Parikia only happens if you let yourself be immersed. Luckily, I am with a great group of people. My closest friends here I have only known for a short amount of time, but they are incredibly supportive of me and always make time for me. These people have gone to the same school as me for years, but I never was able to get to know them. Now, after five flights and two weeks in Greece together, I feel like I have been friends with all of them for a long time.

The main problem I had with Indiana was that I needed a change of pace. I needed to experience a new place with new people. I’m grateful for the experience that I’ve had so far, and I am looking forward to the latter half of the trip.

Nick Kinder

As I’m writing my blog post, I am sitting in an enormous cave on the island of Antiparos and looking at what is considered to be the oldest stalagmite in all of Europe. 45 million years of history stares back. During my time in Greece, I have experienced so much so quickly. A far cry from Indianapolis, motorcycles zoom down narrow stone streets and sidewalks while the smell of fresh meat and pastries hangs in the air. My time in Paros has been more humbling than I ever would have thought. Being in a country where your customs, language, and mannerisms are not the norm means that you have to make the effort to bridge that gap yourself, when all too often we have been on the other side looking outwards on those who immigrate to America without a real conception of the confusion. The people here are very kind and helpful, and it is easy to make friends as long as you remain respectful and responsible. From my hotel room balcony, I can look out over mountains and hillside homes; it is impossible to ignore the beauty of the Cyclades. Lush foliage and beautiful plants line storefronts, alleyways, and hills alike. Time moves slower here and the rush of cities like Indianapolis seems so distant. The Greeks are more appreciative of what they have and are always there to share their traditions and ideals with us. I think that this trip has given me a greater appreciation for the day to day work that I do and how it compares to the honest lives led here. “When in Rome…” immersion is key and and open mindedness is the doorway to be opened. I cannot wait to see what other opportunities await me on the islands and to learn as much as I can about every square inch of Paros.

Chris Jackson

Paros, Greece… wow! It has been amazing! I could probably fill up this entire blog post with just what we did today. This is my first trip abroad and it has been quite an experience.

Today was filled with adventures to different places including a cave on Antiparos. This cave was amazing and very deep. I don’t think I have ever climbed that many stairs in one go. Everyone that came back up was out of breath and tired from the steep climb. The cave had graffiti all over and plenty of those writings were in Greek that we couldn’t read.

Other things included in today’s activities were shopping and a group dinner. It has been really fun hanging out with this group of people and getting to know them. Our group dinners have been fun so far. We have tried a lot of different foods and bonded over these experiences. The food has been very tasteful and the people serving us are so friendly. Greece has very different food and if anyone knows me, it is a big change that I wouldn’t normally enjoy, however, I have enjoyed trying the different foods here and expanding my taste buds.

My experience overall has been great. I have learned a lot about the culture of Europe and many things that they do differently. Manners and way of life is just more relaxed here in Paros. The atmosphere is nice and really enjoyable. I love that there are cats everywhere. It makes me love to walk the streets and find them. They even allow these cats to stroll into the restaurants and mingle with the tourists. All of us in the group have found regulars in certain areas and named a few of these cats. One in particular is Blepp who is a very distinctive cat and has a lot of character. Holding the title of everyone’s favorite, he is little disformed and has a particular smell that you can’t get over. His personality is very sweet and gentle, and he is a fun addition to this trip.

The waters on the Paros shores are fabulous. It is so clear and crashes onto the rocks which is so wonderful to watch. The streets are very beautiful as well. They have a lot of history and they are comparable to a maze. The famous white walls shine in the light and make Greece unique to anyone that ventures here, and everyone definitely should.

Logan Henry

This was the first day to dumping all the footage from the day before. There were 3 interviews with video and audio, and B-roll from two other cameras. The night before, I tried to prepare by gathering up as much footage as I could and start to label the files. But no matter what, it was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day with technology.

We woke up on time and made it to class with warm pastries as a welcoming treat. As we try to cram our what seems to be like 15 laptops on two small desks. The chairs were packed around the table as we claim our ground. People started to plug their many power converts and plugs into a power strip that would only be willing to accept three plugs at a time. The plugs looked like they could come to live and be a Megazord (Power Ranger reference).

If they were lucky to force the fourth plug in, they would hit a switch that would turn off the whole strip. This was especially unlucky for the girl at the end of the table for her G-Drive would lose power during her multiples of trying to gather the footage. I started to pass around my hard work from the previous night. After a couple of teammates completed dumping footage, we were never supposed to rename the files. Luckily, we didn’t have to start all over, but it was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day with technology.

The hard drives compatibility with each computer was a challenge in itself. Macs don’t like working with PCs and PCs can’t view Macs information. It was a brain teaser on how to hop through each hoop for each computer. Other people had issues opening the editing software and no access to Wi-Fi. Luckily, someone has unlimited data and used their phone as a hotspot for those in need.

Even though we had issues with technology and we started to get frustrated with each other, we eventually worked things out and accomplished our goals for the day. We work well together even in the crazy moments. We still find enough time to have fun! I love my SOIC Study Abroad family!

Brandon Rigdon

Time seems to work differently here in Greece. Maybe it’s because I’m in a new and unfamiliar place. Days pass by, and I feel like I’ve spent both mere seconds and an eternity here on this incredible island. The whole experience continues to feel surreal to me. Every time we leave the villa where we are staying, I can scarcely believe I’m finally here in Paros.

I’ve spent the past two years working, prepping my application, and saving every penny so that one day I might be able to go with the School of Informatics and Computing to Greece. And now that I’m finally here, I can’t believe it.

Yesterday, a few friends and I took the bus to the town of Naoussa on the northern part of the island on our day off. We stayed for dinner and explored the town and a bit of the coast. After our adventure, we passed a restaurant that felt oddly familiar. I realized it was the exact same restaurant as the one in the picture on my vision board at home that I had made at the beginning of the year with the rest of my family.

I can’t believe I went to the exact spot on my vision board. Within just this first week, I’ve seized dreams I wasn’t sure I would ever be able to afford, let alone experience. I must come to terms with the fact that when I return home, nothing will ever be the same. I will be a wholly different person than the one who boarded that plane in Indiana. I’m going to be a different person when I get back, and as much as that scares me, I honestly can’t wait to meet her.

For someone with so many mental obstacles, such as ADHD, Anxiety, and PTSD the relaxed and seemingly carefree lifestyle of Paros is a wholly different world. It’s a completely different way of life that I’m grateful to experience, if only for a little while. I am someone who is used to having a strict schedule and detailed planning. So, while this new lifestyle of “we’ll see when we get there” is a little unnerving, it’s also a chance to sit back and relax and enjoy the culture surrounding me. To be able to break away from the busy and hectic mentality of American life is a blessing

Despite the relaxed mindset of the island, I have found myself being more active than I am back home. Practically everything I need is within walking distance; ATMs, shops, restaurants, the Institute, bakeries, even the ocean. I walk everyday just to explore the gray and white cobbled streets of the town of Parikia. The mountains inland and the crystal-clear waters of the island make walking to my destination a new and breathtaking experience. I find myself enjoying the task of walking to and from places. What was once a chore is becoming an adventure or relaxing activity.

When I applied for this trip, I was worried my social anxiety and other mental issues would get in the way of me making friends. Boy, was I wrong. I have quickly become friends with the other students here. We’ve gone on several adventures together, from simply getting money out of the ATM to visiting new towns on the island. We already have several running jokes and enjoy spending time hanging out and enjoying food together.

Here in Paros, I’ve been able to experience more. One thing always leads to another. Buying breakfast at a bakery leads us to enjoying pastries along the shore and taking in the view of the ocean. Walking to the institute for class in the morning leads to fantastic photos, going out for gelato at night leads to meeting new and interesting locals, petting cats, and getting to better know the students sharing this adventure with me. Even the interviews we had today for our projects have led to a greater understanding of another culture so alike yet so different from the one in which I was raised.

All in all, Greece has been an unforgettable experience which has taught me a great deal so far and will continue to teach me as I remain here for the rest of my stay.

Georgey Elaine