Madeleine Gaunt ’26

Programs: Greece Semester, Chiapas Embedded

Major: Peace Studies

Minors: Political Science & Psychology

Why did you choose to study abroad and how did you decide on this program?

I chose to participate in the Greece semester program because of the class offerings, volunteer opportunities, and the amazing location. The Greece program offered a really wide range of classes and the school (CYA) took us on many field studies around Greece (with some optional ones in and outside of Greece). This was amazing because we got to learn about the rich history of Greece and the surrounding areas from experts who have lived and/or studied there their whole lives. In addition, there were many volunteer opportunities in Athens. I got the opportunity to volunteer at a multilingual library in Greece. This was something I was really looking for in a study abroad program because it provides a great way to make connections and get to know your host community while making a positive impact on the world. Finally, Greece is such an amazing destination; there was no way I could say no to this opportunity. Greece has such a diverse landscape (beaches, mountains, farms, cities, etc.) and such a deep and extensive history. These two things sealed the deal for me. There was truly something for everyone!

Briefly describe a specific cultural experience you had on your program that made a lasting impression.

One cultural experience that has had a lasting impact on me was a visit to the Chios Mastic Museum. Mastic is a resin that comes from a mastic tree and it is often used in chewing gums and medicines. The Island of Chios in Greece is one of a few places that grows, harvests, and produces mastic. While visiting the museum, we got the chance to not just learn about mastic, but also try harvesting a little bit of it. One woman who works with the museum and has also been in a family business of producing mastic taught us how to harvest the resin and all about the process. This was a really impactful cultural experience for me because we got to interact with a local woman who was part of an important tradition of producing mastic on the island of Chios. We got to learn a lot about what life on Chios was like and it definitely broadened my perspective of the world. The woman we worked with was very hospitable (a key part of Greek culture) and welcomed us in to learn about her life.

Based on your experiences abroad, what are some of the benefits of spending a semester abroad? How has studying abroad contributed to your personal, academic, and professional development?

I became a much more independent, collaborative, and adaptable student and person through my study abroad program. Living in a new city and a new country taught me a lot about self-reliance and independence. Even though it was challenging to figure things out on my own sometimes, I gained confidence every day. Even if it was just navigating around the city or figuring out how to use public transportation in a new country with a different language. This confidence and independence is something that I will be able to carry with me for the rest of my life. Furthermore, the Greece program pushed me to grow academically. I had professors who were experts in their fields and had so many new perspectives to offer. This, along with the new perspectives and knowledge of my peers from across the U.S., pushed me to broaden my perspective of the world, think deeper about critical issues, and collaborate with people from across the world. The various field studies and field trips that College Year in Athens and our professors took us on allowed me to see new part of Greece and learn how perspectives differ across the country. Finally, my volunteer position along with the connections I made through classes helped me to grow professionally. I met a lot of great people while volunteering at a multilingual library in Greece. This also gave me professional, international volunteer experience. In addition, many of my professors took us on field trips around Athens. We got to meet with a lot of organizations and officials around Greece who are doing important social work and government work. This along with my volunteering showed me how to operate in a professional environment and opened my eyes to the types or careers that exist. All in all, I grew a lot personally, academically, and professionally while studying abroad in Athens, Greece.

What advice can you offer for CSB+SJU students who are considering or planning to study abroad?

Just do it! Study abroad is truly one of the best decisions I have ever made. I have participated in an embedded program and a semester program, and both experiences were very impactful. If you are considering or planning to study abroad, don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. There are so many unexpected opportunities that will present themselves, so take advantage of them when you can!