Anthony Viola

“Hello” in your host country’s language: γεια σας
Home Institution (your U.S. University/College): CSU Chico
Expected graduation year: 2023
Destination city & country: Athens, Greece
Program provider: AIFS
Major/minor: Anthropology & History, Minor in Classical Civilizations
Demographics: First-Generation, Low income, and LGBTQ+
Future career aspirations: I hope to one day work in a library and museum specifically for Greco- Roman culture. I also hope that one day I can work on Archeology sites and historical sites to discover something new in my academic fields of study.
Top 3 goals for your time abroad: #1 Studying abroad in Greece would help me academically because I will be able to pursue and almost complete my Classical Civilizations minor, while also putting me a couple classes ahead in my studies. This will provide me an opportunity to get ahead in my academics, while exploring and learning about the culture and history of Greece in person. Also I will be able use my experiences abroad to provide research for my honors thesis when I come home from Greece. While in Greece I will learn more about the history and culture from experiencing it firsthand. I would not only be traveling the city visiting museums, experiencing new foods, and visiting historical sites but I would also have the ability to take specific Greek classes such as The Bronze age of Greece, Byzantium, Spartans or other other related courses that directly connect back to my major and my own personal research.

# 2 Studying in Greece will also help me develop professionally by providing experience directly related to my field of study, diversifying my experience with a new culture, global perspective, and most importantly meeting connections from across the world. I will also be able to see firsthand historical sites like Ancient Delphi, the sanctuary of Apollo, and Athens. These sites would provide me great knowledge if I work at sites in the future, preserving, recording and analyzing historical sites. This opportunity provides me with lifelong skills that I will always be able to use. I will gain experience and connections directly related to History, Anthropology, and Classical civilizations. I will also gain experience traveling globally, that may be beneficial to any future employers and for myself.

#3 Personally, it helps me with my goals because I have always dreamed of traveling Europe and Greece. This would provide me the experience I need to continue my goals of traveling and learning firsthand about the history and culture that this area has to offer.