Harvard Study Abroad Program

“Greece? Why Greece? Why would you ever want to go study in a failed nation like Greece?,” my parents asked me. I was taken aback. Little did they know that my interest in Greek society and culture would motivate me to apply to the Harvard Study Abroad program. Even without a personal connection to Greece, I am longing to immerse myself within the country and its people. That is where HSS comes in. The chance to study in Greece would be the perfect opportunity to see both spectrums of life: the educational and the casual. Experiencing such duality is what draws me to this program. Furthermore, through a structured program, the difficulties of arranging an experience such as this one are eased. However, it is not just that burden which pushes me towards HSS. It is the environment that the program creates as a whole. Spending a month around like-minded people and exploring ancient cities while comparing them to modern civilizations is about as fascinating as it can be for a freshman like myself. …show more content…
Most encouraged me to apply because of the exotic destination. While that is a bonus, I truly have something else in mind. It’s the subject matter which interests me the most. Not only would it give me a general education requirement, but a part of the course brings me back to my roots. As a Muslim, I am able to trace my lineage back to the eastern Mediterranean, specifically, the Ottoman empire. It’s a part of who I am. Surrounding myself with the Ottoman civilization and its sister civilizations would be personally enriching. Furthermore, it would expand my knowledge as to who I really am. As cliche as it sounds, exploring Greece is an opportunity for me to really dig into my history. Learning from professors about the course material would allow me to relate my modern self with past generations. In all, I think it’ll give me a sense of purpose. At the very least, it’ll open my eyes to where I came