(not so) CULTURE SHOCK(ed)

Yasas! As of today, I have been in Greece for a full three weeks. I am here as a Teaching Fellow for the Hellenic American Educational Foundation, teaching English Literature to high school students at Athens College.

When deciding whether or not to accept the fellowship, I nearly declined the offer for fear that I wouldn't be able to handle living in another culture for a whole year. I believed I would be absolutely miserable for at least the first month, and that it would take me roughly a year to feel settled in Greece. However, I applied to the fellowship in the first place so that I could challenge myself and immerse myself in another culture. (And of course, to try out teaching.) So I sucked it up and said yes.

Culture Shock is meant to work in distinct stages, beginning with the honeymoon phase, wherein the traveller is fascinated with the new culture and views it in a romantic light.  Personally, I find that my initial reaction to a new culture is usually one of extreme discomfort, rather than awe. This was certainly true of Athens.

I did myself the incredible disservice of coming to Athens directly from Paris, (arguably the most beautiful city on the planet), which made Athens look like a slum. When I arrived in Athens, (Sunday, August 29th), it was hot as Hades. I hated the heat and how it mixed with gasoline fumes, the aggressive drivers and heavy traffic, the beige, run down boxes that comprised modern Greek architecture, that Athens was not Paris, the strange alphabet everywhere, and of course, not being able to understand what people were saying. My immediate reaction: "WTF have I gotten myself into?"  


This feeling lasted for roughly three days. Then 2 things happened which put me at ease:

1) I moved into my apartment, in Halandri (a suburb of Athens)). The apartment is very spacious, clean, airy and has a wraparound balcony. (see photo on the side..)

2) I met the nine other teaching fellows.

Having comfortable living conditions and friends who speak English makes living in a foreign country easy as pie. I felt so relieved when I met my nine new insta-friends (isn't it funny how rapidly you become friends with people in situations where you know you need to be friends with them?). I knew I had people I could talk to and laugh with, people with whom I could explore this new country.


I quickly began to see the positive aspects of Greek culture: The food is delicious. Modern Greek is (in my opinion) a beautiful language to listen to (the rhythm of it reminds me a lot of Spanish). The people (although seemingly quite willing to run you over, if you're walking and they're driving) are very, very friendly. Greek hospitality is no myth. There are hundreds of beautiful islands just a ferry ride away. There are ancient ruins everywhere. There are adorable stray kittens everywhere. 

There's definitely a danger in having nine rad American friends and a kickass apartment, though. I came here to experience another culture, but if I wanted to, I could spend the entire year sitting on my balcony, speaking English, and watching Greece from a distance.


When I studied in Italy for six weeks two summers ago, I had a very minimal cultural experience.  I lived on a beautiful Tuscan estate with sixteen other American girls. Don't get me wrong - I had a wonderful time, and my painting improved tremendously (that was the point of the program.) But I still don't speak a word of Italian.

I vow to do my damnedest to not let this be the case in Greece. I think the most important thing I can do to fully experience Greek culture is to learn the language, so that I can make connections with people other than my American friends. It's going to be tough, but I've got to try.


I also think it's important to remember that "foreign" works on a scale. Greece is the foundation of Western culture, so although there were some immediate shocks when I first arrived, and although there is a massive language barrier to overcome, things are not actually all that different. I am not living in a hut in Kenya. I have clean drinking water and a shower and a bed. Most people speak English anyways. Starbucks and HandM are just around the corner.

In conclusion, the biggest shock for me so far has been the lack of culture shock. I feel quite at home here. Perhaps that is only because of my American friends and my living quarters. We'll just have to see. Perhaps in three months time I will feel quite frustrated and maybe even cry myself to sleep wishing I were back in North America. Hopefully not. But for now, things are good. 


More to come on actual Greece soon.