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Matthew Peckskamp
Matthew Peckskamp is an Ambassador who studied abroad in Greece and Rome.
Briefly describe a specific cultural experience you had on your trip that made a lasting impression.
After traveling around Ireland for a week, my pre-travel friend and I had finally arrived in Athens. By the time we collected our backpacks, hopped on the metro, and made it to Syntagma Square it was getting a bit dark. We got off and started roaming around the streets of Athens with all of our backpacks and could not find our school. We were getting a bit worried and anxious about not finding our way, but we stumbled upon the Temple to Olympiad Zeus in the middle of bustling Greece. At that moment, we set our bags down and just took it all in.
Why did you choose the program in which you participated?
Growing up in central Minnesota I have lived an oystered life. My family, friends, and teachers have all helped me to develop a solid foundation of morals and an identity of my own. Choosing to enroll at St. John's and St. Ben's ensured that that lineage would continue on for at least four more years.
In studying abroad, I hoped that by interacting and communicating with people who are from different cultures, speak different languages, and hold different morals than myself, I would gain insightful skills of tolerance, compassion, and awareness that I could apply to life in and beyond the pine curtain. I had reached a point in my life where I wanted to see beyond the walls of my own everyday life and experience a new way of thinking.
I chose the Greco-Roman program because it afforded me the opportunity to experience the people and life of two distinct and beautiful cultures. The rich history of Greece and Rome have shaped and colored so much of our western world and what better way to study the ideas and people than in the places where they derived from.
Describe your overall study abroad experience.
Meeting new people, seeing new places, and eating great food al contributed significantly to my study abroad experience. But now removed from the experience and looking back on it, I would say that more than anything, I value the new gained perspective I have of my home and family and just what they mean to me.
How has the trip affected you? How are you different for having completed the experience?
More than anything, the trip helped me to claim my independence. As much as I loved all of our group activities and going out with friends, I felt so content when I would go out and just explore on my own.
What advice do you have for future Study Abroad Students?
Don't go into the program with any expectations. Almost anything you are worried about will end up being better than you ever could expect. Make one trip by yourself. And don't forget to treat yourself to two gelatos every now and then.
Do you have questions about studying abroad in Greece and Rome? Email Matthew at mapeckskamp@csbsju.edu.