Elliott Allen ’10-Immersion trips are one of the fine jewels of the Wabash College experience, and the CLA-212 trip is beginning to be a special one.

I must say that Liberal Arts is at the heart of Wabash College, and the immersion trip epitomizes that experience. By immersing oneself in a different culture, the Wabash man defines what it means to be an advocate for new experiences and different perspectives.

Greece has a subtle and antique beauty. When you exit the underground and walk out onto the streets, you are hit with this brisk, fresh sea air as the sun fades in the Greek afternoon. The things I have seen and the people I have met, so far, have attributed to a unique experience. Words cannot really describe the atmosphere of Athens.

People drive around narrow streets on motorcycles and Smart cars; small convenience stores and enterprising shops litter the sidewalks. There is dichotomy between the streets as the hustle-bustle of the city gradually gives away to the quiet mazes of gift shops and icons from antiquity.

From the Acropolis, we went up an adjacent hill where two of the local botanists, Dr. Ingram and Phil Rushton, were pointing out and examining various forms of plants. I found this to be an interesting complement to the trip. It demonstrated the value of the Liberal Arts in examining topics from multiple perspectives. When we reached the top of the hill, we could view Athens in all of its glory. Urban sprawl dominated the landscape, and a fresh breeze came off of the Aegean Sea. I felt amazed by human accomplishment and the differences between cultures.

In reality, I cannot describe much of my feelings for this trip because it has just begun. But our first night in Athens is an indicator of things to come. The Liberal Arts is at its best when students can leave the classroom and see, hear, taste, and smell the culture that they have been studying. I have a feeling this will be a great experience and I cannot wait to share it with the rest of Wabash.