My Greek Odyssey

International education is nothing new at Central College and yet, faculty have taken the lead on new ways of experiencing the world beyond Central’s 50219 zip code.

A grant, funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Increase and Diversify Education Abroad for U.S. Students Program, opened the door for faculty to explore the world and build courses ending with short-term, faculty-led study abroad experiences. From it, “My Greek Odyssey: Origins to Engaged Citizenship” and “Fire & Ice: Stories of Iceland” were created.

Following the completion of the Spring 2025 semester, 19 students and two faculty members — Nicole Palenske Ladner, associate professor of biology, and Stavros Papakonstantinidis, associate professor of communication studies — set off to Greece for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

“I wanted them to not just be tourists on this trip,” Papakonstantinidis says. “To fully gain an understanding and respect for Greek culture, they needed to see the full picture: The good, the bad and the in-between. We covered history, sports, religion, business, real estate, nature, island life, civic engagement and sought to experience the real, true Greece.”

The point of international education is not to come back only with fond memories of the food you enjoyed (though it can certainly be a perk).

“Travel teaches us about other ways of life while also reminding us why we appreciate the place we call home,” he affirms. “Just because something is different doesn’t mean one way is better or worse.”

During the course, students were split into groups to become experts on Greece’s iconic landmarks like ancient Olympia, the Acropolis, the National Gallery and more.

“When we toured the places they learned about, they were teaching their peers about the very soil we were standing on. Not only were they applying what they’d learned, they were taking ownership — as well as pride — over their experience,” Papakonstantinidis explains.

In a post-pandemic world, the needs and wants of students have shifted — Central has grown more nimble in response.

“Central’s faculty-led trips allow for a short-term study abroad experience without the price tag of a semester abroad,” he says. “It’s a great way for students to travel internationally — especially for the first time — and it’s a lot more palatable for students and their families. Though, even with the discounted travel costs, it’s still not completely accessible to everyone because it’s still an extra expense on top of the course.”

Papakonstantinidis wants to change that.

“Immersive, cultural opportunities open doors to discovery and so much more,” he shares. “That’s something we want all students to experience. I think it instills confidence in students that they can do this and encourages them to raise their hand for more cultural experiences or even go overseas for a full semester. We saw real growth, curiosity and got to know our students even better in just 10 days; I’d do it all over again if I could.”