Global Classroom

Yassas! Kalos irthate stin Ellada!  Welcome to Greece!  Few places in the world offer St. Mary’s students the opportunity to step so directly into the history, literature, philosophy, art, and ideas that have shaped Western civilization.  Greece is a place where the classroom comes to life – where students can stand on the Acropolis and consider the birth of democracy, walk through the ruins of Delphi and explore the ancient Greek search for wisdom and meaning, and encounter the myths and stories they have read about for centuries.

Greece is an especially fitting destination for St. Mary’s Mod Abroad program because it embodies our belief that students should combine what they learn with how they live.  Our journey will take us from Athens to Delphi, Crete, and Santorini, giving students the opportunity to experience both the ancient world and contemporary Greek culture.  In Athens, we’ll explore the Acropolis, the Parthenon, and the neighborhoods of a city that remains a vibrant center of European culture.  At Delphi, we’ll visit the sanctuary of Apollo and consider the role that mythology, religion, philosophy, and the pursuit of knowledge played in ancient Greek life.  On Crete, we’ll explore the extraordinary remains of the Minoan civilization and encounter the island that provided the setting for some of the most enduring stories of Greek mythology.  And in Santorini, one of the most beautiful places on earth, we’ll experience the natural beauty, villages, and culture of the Aegean. 

Of course, this will also be a chance to experience Greece beyond the history books.  Students will take a ferry through the Aegean, wander through ancient villages and lively cities, and eat some incredible food – fresh seafood, souvlaki, gyros, moussaka, Greek salads, olives, feta, baklava, and plenty of other local specialties.  Most importantly, they’ll travel together as a St. Mary’s community, learning from one another and from the people and places we encounter along the way.  Mod Abroad is about becoming dedicated scholars, creative thinkers, and global citizens – and there may be no better classroom for that experience than Greece.  It’s going to be an incredible trip!

What can four cities tell us about an empire? Students will follow that question from Salzburg to Vienna, Budapest and Prague, tracing the history of the Habsburgs through the music, architecture and streets they left behind.

In Salzburg, students will visit Mozart’s birthplace and explore the city with a local guide. Vienna brings them to the heart of the former imperial capital, where they’ll see the Hofburg Palace complex and try their hand at making chocolate pralines. A cruise on the Danube will introduce Budapest before students visit landmarks on both sides of the river, including Matthias Church. The journey ends in Prague, with its Charles Bridge, Old Town and hilltop castle complex.

Back in the classroom, a palace or a bridge can seem like a piece of history. Mod Abroad gives students the chance to stand in those places, hear the languages around them and see how each city tells its own story.