Visiting a new country can be an exciting and stressful time. When traveling the world, you have so many opportunities to try new things, and experience new cultures. We are going to be studying abroad for one month, and we are already one and a half weeks into our trip. Since we have the opportunity to spend so much time in Europe, we are able to fully immerse ourselves into the cultures of the locations we will be visiting. We have spent the first portion of our trip in the beautiful country of Greece. We have been able to visit three different locations in Greece, including Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini, where we are currently staying. I have learned a lot about the culture of Greece during our stay here, and I cannot wait to learn more as our trip continues!
When visiting a country that speaks a language other than your own, it is always a good idea to learn some quick phrases to help you get around. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that almost every person I have come across in Greece speaks English. This has made it very helpful to navigate the islands. Many Europeans do know multiple languages because of the amount of countries in the region. It is still important to know some Greek phrases, because it is always polite to try to speak to locals in their own language. Here is a list of some phrases that I have used during my stay here so far:
Hello: Yassoo
Good morning: Kaleemera
Good evening: Kaleespera
Thank you: Efcharisto
Yes: Nai
No: Okhee
Water: Nero
Please: Parakalo
I spoke with Julia Frohlich, a student studying abroad on this trip as well, about an experience she had speaking Greek with a local. Julia told me about how a waiter in Mykonos took time to teach her some common phrases in Greek. "After I answered the waiter with efcharisto, which means thank you in Greek, he was so excited he wanted to teach me more! The locals love it when you learn their language, and they want to help you in any way possible." Julia explained to me how the waiter taught her to have a small conversation, which included phrases such as, 'hello', 'how are you', 'I am good thank you', and 'have a great day'.
All around the world, the Greek diet is known for its health benefits. Many meals include fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, whole grains, and cheese and yogurt. Trying all of the Greek specialty dishes has been such an exciting opportunity. Some of their traditional dishes include: moussaka, pastichio, gyro, and souvlaki. Moussaka is similar to a lasagna, and it is made out of eggplant and potatoes. Pastichio is closer to a lasagna than moussaka is, because it is actually made with pasta and minced meat. A gyro is sliced meat served with vegetables and tzatziki sauce on pita bread. Souvlaki is any meat that is grilled on a skewer. These are all absolutely delicious options, and I would recommend any one of them! Another aspect of the Greek meal that is different than an American is the time in which it starts. The first night we arrived in Athens, I noticed many of the restaurants were empty at the time we were heading out to eat. After asking a host what a normal dinner time is in Greece, he told me that Greeks usually eat dinner around 8 or 9:00 at night. Greeks also have a very casual and laid back dinner atmosphere. In America, I normally feel rushed by the wait staff to finish my meal so they can get the next group seated. In Greece, we have sat for hours without being bothered by any waiters.
One major aspect of a country's culture is the religion its local population practices. Religion can dictate many parts of a society, and this will be reflected in how these people live their everyday lives. The Greek Orthodox Church is the main religious institution in Greece. This is mainly because of the significance of the Byzantines throughout Greek history. Many Greek citizens are involved with the church and attend services at least once a month. There is not a distinct separation between Church and State in the Greek Constitution; therefore, the Church does have a small amount of say in government institutions. One of the most iconic images of Greece, and more specifically Santorini, is the beautiful blue-topped churches dotted around the island. Oia, a famous city in Santorini, is known for the multiple churches dotted across its landscape.
When you visit a new country, try to learn as much as you can about their culture. It is so much more fun to act like a local than a tourist!
