After months of uncertainty about the possibility of a trip to Greece
due to COVID, I was able to start my internship at the CIG on September
13, 2021. It became clear quickly that it was more than worth the wait,
not just because it helped solidify my interest in Classics, but also
due to the activities that I got to engage in. From the stunning
archaeological sites to interacting with numerous members of other
institutes, the 3 months that I was lucky enough to spend in Greece will
stay with me for a long time.
Since the first site of the Olympeion, I was captivated by the
archaeological sites, which only increased as I began to explore and
venture to more sites around Greece; the Acropolis, Temple of Aphaia at
Aegina, Temple of Poseidon at Sounion, as well as the Tholos and Temple
of Apollo at Delphi to name a few. Aside from the archaeological sites,
the various natural features were just as breathtaking, from the
crystal-clear water that wrapped around Hydra to the immense mountain
ranges overlooking Delphi. With so many places to visit and so much
natural beauty and cultural masterpieces around Greece, exploring the
various cities and what they have to offer was among some of my
favourite experiences.
Trying the cuisine from the various islands and cities that I was able
to explore was a very pleasant experience, whether it was seafood, wine
or tsipouro, experimenting with new dishes and drinks were one of the
many highlights of my time around Greece. The locals in these areas were
also very friendly and interacting with them allowed me to not only
learn more of the language, but also of the lifestyle that goes along
with each location. This gave me a greater appreciation for Greek
culture and an increased desire to return to immerse myself more.
The work that I did at the CIG primarily involved cataloguing the
library and ensuring that the books matched the American School of
Classical Studies at Athens, which gave me an increased appreciation for
the books on various topics surrounding Classics. Another aspect was to
make book exchanges with other foreign institutes, allowing me to
interact and get to know many interesting people, while also giving me a
better understanding and appreciation of the Athens area. Helping with
the lecture events that took place at the institute was a nice
experience; interacting with members of academia, as well as learning
about interesting topics like looting around Greek sites or video games
was not something that I expected to be a part of due to COVID but was
incredibly enjoyable and something I hope to be able to be a part of
again.
Looking back at my time leaves me with a bittersweet feeling. While I
wish I got to stay longer and take in more of Greece, I am glad about
how many experiences I was able to be a part of, and how many friends I
was able to make during the past few months. The work that I was able to
do here helped solidify my desire to explore more in archaeology and
classics, while also showing me various other areas that are just as
interesting. This internship was something that I have been looking
forward to for a long time, but I could not have imagined just how
incredible my time in Greece would have been, or how many amazing people
I would get to meet, and I can’t wait for the next time I am able to
come back.
Nekesh Nair
Wilfrid Laurier University intern, Fall 2021
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