Athens Greece has been a dream since I first learned about mythology

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Ana Hernandez

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Ana Hernandez

<i>"Hello" in your host country's language:</i> Buongiorno! <i>Home Institution (your U.S. University/College):</i> Santa Barbara City College <i>Expected graduation year:</i> 2023 <i>Destination city & country:</i> Rome, Italy <i>Program provider:</i> Santa Barbara City College <i>Major/minor:</i> Early Childhood Education <i>Demographics:</i> Community College, Hispanic/Latinx, First-Generation College Student <i>Future career aspirations:</i> Find a way to provide early childhood education opportunities and education in places where there is none in the U.S. and abroad. <i>Top 3 goals for your time abroad:</i> Observe the highly successful early childhood programs, such as; Reggio Emilia and Montessori in their country of origin. Observe cultural differences in early childhood, families and children, in town, on the street, on the buses, in the restaurants. Immerse myself in a culture different than my own to create more awareness and a deeper understanding of myself and the children and families I will work with as an Early Childhood Education Educator. Enjoy the food, arts, music, culture and people of Rome, Italy.

Every since I was in 5th grade, I have dreamed of going to the places where the Greek gods were. I was most excited about my favorite goddess, Athena. The attributes I admired about her were her wisdom, peace, and the craft of weaving. I remember devouring mythology so that I could be transported to other spaces and time. I often fancied myself a little goddess or even a demi-goddess. Since I was adopted, I liked to invent stories behind who I was-I naturally became a pretty good storyteller-a weaver.

Wisdom is the attribute I most strive for. I want to possess the ability to think and act with knowledge, common sense, experience and insight. I aspire to use these qualities in my everyday life, but especially when working with children. My major, being early childhood education, affords me with the ability to contemplate the higher wisdom that children innately have. It also allows me the experience and understanding of what factors stifle that precious ability that children are born with, yet is side-railed as they hit puberty. How much of that is through the heedless pressure that adults place on them to be what society dictates and not what they are born to be?

We are in dire need of a Plato, Aristotle, Socrates and/or Pythagoras. Interestingly, these major schools of thought come from Greece. Wouldn’t it be fantastic to have these great minds available to children and young adults, to help them grow and nurture their critical thinking?

Early childhood education is not new. It began as far back as around 400 BC in Greece. Depending on your gender and social standing, you would receive training as a child for your future occupation. Plato’s academy was a great example of a holistic learning environment; outside in the fresh air, people respectfully discussing and learning from each other. It’s even said that Plato wanted to establish preschools with curriculum based on music, storytelling and games. He believed that children had defined knowledge and a teacher was meant to remind them of it. In this I disagree, I believe they have infinite knowledge and teachers are meant to give provocation for children to bring forth their understanding and compound on it in this world of senses. His pupil, Aristotle also wanted to develop mind and body, to help children create good habits and an enjoyment of learning through play.

I am on my way to Greece to further delve into the schools of thought and uncover more truths about early childhood education. Why re-invent the wheel? Lets bring it out of the past, share it with the children and let it naturally be a metamorphosis for them today.