From March 11 to March 18, 2023, an intergenerational group of Harvard students, alumni, and fellow companions traveled together in Nafplio, Olympia, Delphi, and Athens retracing the steps of ancient traveler Pausanias and engaging in stimulating conversations with each other. This Spring Break travel-study program for Harvard students and alumni is a favorite annual activity organized by the Harvard Alumni Association Travels and CHS Greece.

In 2023 the program welcomed as academic leaders Harvard professors Greg Nagy –its founder and recurring lead– and Naomi Weiss. They guided participants through various sites and museums, held sessions for reviewing the groups’ findings, and shared insights with their fellow explorers. From high school and Harvard college students to mid-career individuals and retirees, participants' various ages, study fields, and backgrounds offered an abundance of views and wonderfully added to the travel study experience. Furthermore, among the travelers was Fiona Benson, a multi-award-winning poet, who joined the program as the Michael Marks Poet in Residence. Last but not least were the additions of Erin Whitney, Harvard Alumni Association Travels Assistant Director, and Mina Tsentourou, CHS Greece Programs and Events Coordinator, who tended to another successful implementation of the program in situ.

The Heraion of Argos, Atreus's treasury and Mycenae's citadel, the site and museum of Ancient Olympia, the sanctuaries of Delphi, the Ancient Agora, the Athenian Acropolis, and the National Archaeological Museum were the group’s places of discovery, knowledge exchange, and fascination. Naturally, apart from intellectual growth, the participants of this travel study program found their peers and shared laughter in the company of one another as discussion flowed freely during group activities, meals, and bus rides. Consequently, the cohort found goodbyes hard on the last day of the program and preferred to stay in touch online. You can get glimpses of this year’s iteration and participants on CHS Greece's social media accounts.

CHS Greece would like to extend its appreciation for all participants and its delight with any chance of welcoming them back to Greece. Our Center is also ever grateful to the two study leaders and the Harvard Alumni Association Travels, for their effective collaboration.