Luciano Ragonese said the program provided an opportunity to explore interests that extended beyond his usual coursework. With a demanding academic schedule that includes multiple majors, a minor and an on-campus job, traveling had always seemed difficult to fit into his plans.
The program’s archaeological focus piqued Ragonese’s interest, so he decided to apply even though the subject was outside his primary majors and initially felt out of reach financially. With support from Liberal Arts enrichment funding, he was able to make the experience possible.
“I am studying mathematics, linguistics and statistics, but I wish I could study so many other things,” he said. “In the back of my mind is my childhood desire to travel.”
That support allowed him to explore a long-standing interest in archaeology and travel to Greece — an experience he said would not have been possible otherwise.
One of the most fascinating aspects of the program for Ragonese was seeing how ancient and modern Greece exist together in the same spaces, like the archaeological sites that sit near subway stations in Athens.
Visiting Olympia was another highlight for Ragonese. Seeing the Olympic rings represented at a variety of places where the ancient Olympic Games began emphasized the strong sense of cultural pride associated with the location, he said.
Outside of class activities, Ragonese especially enjoyed exploring local communities. Walking through lively neighborhoods filled with shops, restaurants and people going about their daily lives allowed him to experience Greece beyond what is typically studied in textbooks.
“The trip was eye opening because I learned a lot about things I did not know about Greece, about Greek culture, and even about myself as a learner,” Ragonese said
