Classics Abroad

Every year, the department sends someone to intern at the Canadian Institute in Greece, to see the world and learn about classical studies first hand. Today’s post is a reflection of Kyle Campbell, last year’s CIG intern, about his experiences there. 

Interning at the Canadian Institute in Greece (CIG) was an experience that I will never forget, and I strongly encourage any classicist or anthropologist to apply. I learned so much about Athens, Greece, and many other aspects of Greek culture and history – from ancient to modern. You get to finally see in person so many things that you previously only saw in textbooks or heard of in lectures and there’s simply nothing else like it. I was fortunate to visit sites such as Mycenae, Nafplio, Delphi, Messene, and of course the Parthenon and Ancient Agora in Athens. I was also fortunate enough to take GRK 421 (Greek Epigraphy) through correspondence with Dr. Ager (as this course was actually held back on campus at the time), and so I had the opportunity with the CIG as well as the British School in Athens to meet many scholars and do research on a real inscription. I created a Squeeze (paper impression of the inscription) and could physically work with the inscription! Certainly something that cannot happen in only a lecture hall!

Aside from visiting many places and working on my course, I met so many people from so many different backgrounds and learned so much about our world! I especially appreciated my time spent with the Norwegians and the Norwegian institute, and of course the staff at CIG. They made me feel at home with them, and I managed to forge many great friendships.

Overall, I have come back changed from this experience. I feel enriched, and I am entirely grateful to the Classics and Anthropology Departments as well as the CIG for offering students the possibility to experience such a spectacular journey.

Tusen takk, mine venner!

Kyle Campbell is a senior student in Classical Studies and Biomedical Sciences, and serves as an executive in the Classical and Medieval Studies Student Society.