An aspect of Greek culture that was both confusing and took adjusting, was the norm of rest time from the hours around 3:00-6:00 pm. During these hours the streets were often quiet and some places would even close, such as pharmacies. This reflects the value of leisure time that Greeks hold i comparison to the hectic go go go of American lifestyle. Especially on Sundays, many shops would be closed for the day, reflecting the importance religious beliefs as well. The overall value of time in Greek culture has allowed me to analyze where I prioritize myself and the importance of time management in my own life.
After my experience abroad in Greece, I have come to appreciate the importance of time. I have found significant improvements in my overall health and academics with taking time out of the day to prioritize self care, rest, leisure time, etc. Balancing a healthy work-play lifestyle is significant in developing numerous skills, socially and in terms of work management. I truly admire the slow-paced lifestyle and emphasis on social life tied to eating. Thee Greek lifestyle holds time spent with family and friends in a high regard, which is represented through meals and the social life of eating. I loved being able to spend hours at a cafe or restaurant with no rush to leave, as the time can be enjoyed with the people I am surrounded by. While it a bit of time to adjust to a longer wait for services, you can sense the overall appreciation that employees have for their work, as they are not rushed by a fast paced environment. The american food industry creates a stressful atmosphere for the workers, which often translates to the quality of service experienced by the customers. While in Greece, eating out was one of my favorite activities because of the kind atmosphere the employees provide with the lack of a high-stress environment. I have a newfound appreciation for the social aspects of food and dining, the appears to be unique to not only European culture, but particularly in Greek society.
One of my favorite moments abroad was actually during finals week, when one of my professors held brunches and dinners for his classes. He had invited us into his home, provided us food and drinks, music and entertainment, even holding a jam session for the musically gifted to perform for everyone. To have such a homey experience during a time of high academic stress, was very uplifting and contributed to my improvement of balancing time. In addition to prioritizing my academics, I made sure to carve out the time to attend these events, as I knew it would be an experience I could never get back. While discussing academics, this professor told us all that even though finals are a stressful time, having everyone together to celebrate our experiences is an important way to end the semester, and a great use of time. This really stuck with me, as I often find a strict academic pressure to not engage in social events during finals, midterms, or even just a rough week piled high with assignments. I now understand how unwinding and rest actually clears the mind and can strengthen academic success.
I’d like to think the host culture would view my time abroad as an authentic Greek experience, thanks to the wonderful CYA staff. There was a strong emphasis on avoiding tourist destinations in order to have the true Greek experience. I followed through on this advise the staff gave us and really got to know the neighborhood of Pangrati I was staying in. I found much more meaningful connections with cafe owners and employees who would remember my order just seeing my face. Having the ability to dive into a new cultural experience and compare it to the tourist experience has been a major point of reflection for me, particularly in my past travels. In walking through Monastiraki, you can see the stark difference and Americanization that draws in tourists to an experience they are most adapted to. The food, the shops, and the neighborhood exhibited a stronger sense of consumerism than the quaint neighborhood of Pangrati. You feel the difference in the interaction with people, how they remember you, and the care they put into getting to know others. I found this to be very special and unique to Pangrati, a place where I was happy to maximize my time. While I am sure Santorini and Mykonos are beautiful islands that pictures can’t even begin to amount to, I would never regret my time spent admiring the Greek lifestyle of Athens in what I hope to be the most authentic experience I could’ve had.