My name is Sophie, and I was able to study abroad in Athens, Greece at the American College of Greece last year.

While I was there I was able to look into my GLI theme of culture and politics and my global challenge of public access to the arts. Ancient Greece was a space of access, specifically when it came to theater. Theaters were open air and accessible from the ground. Examples of ancient architecture and artistry were displayed in every metro station. Access to historical and archeological sites as well as museums are free to the public every Sunday during the ‘off season,’ and the Greek people are incredibly proud of their history and heritage and are proud to show it. The United States has a different perspective. Most museums are ticketed, with ticket prices ranging in the $20s on average, and most theatrical performances are the same.

Now, one thing that I am very passionate about is bringing about a return of classical theater pieces. Plays from Sophocles, Euripides, Aristophanes, and more. I think that theater has always been political, and frequently been used as a tool to display the wrongdoings of a society in an effort to change people’s views. I think that bringing these back into the sphere of modern society would be incredibly beneficial and even modern retellings and reimaginings could do great things.

I think one of the things I will remember most from my time are my roommates. I had 9 roommates, which was a huge jump from 1. But they quickly became my friends and I still talk to the few who became some of my best friends. We did everything together. Every grocery run, every vacation or weekend away. One of my most memorable experiences was actually not in Athens itself, but on a long weekend to Budapest. It was a city and people that I quickly fell in love with and already have plans to return to.