When online learning comes to life: Practicing Greek in Greece on a special day at the Cycladic museum

Isn’t it amazing when online connections jump off the screen and into real life? That’s exactly what happened last Thursday when our wonderful teacher Katerina got to meet three of her dedicated students who traveled all the way from Italy to Athens! These enthusiastic learners seized the opportunity to learn Greek in Greece – taking their language journey beyond the virtual classroom into the vibrant streets and cultural spaces of Athens itself.

Every Tuesday, this group meets online for their Greek mini-sessions. They chat about everything from Greek literature and culture to delicious food and travel destinations, often comparing notes with their Italian experiences. Last week, however, they had the chance to meet their teacher in person while visiting Athens, bringing their online connection into the real world.

From screens to museums: the perfect educational experience

What better way to practice Greek than wandering through one of Athens’ most fascinating museums together? The group headed to the “Cycladitisses: Unknown Stories of the Women” exhibition at the Museum of Cycladic Art – a gorgeous showcase that finally brings women’s stories from the Cyclades into the spotlight.

Housed in the stunning Stathatos Mansion (a neoclassical gem!), this exhibition offers a fresh take on Cycladic culture. Sure, we all know those iconic white marble figurines with their pointy noses and folded arms, but this exhibition goes way beyond those Bronze Age classics.

Beyond the famous figurines: women through the ages

After the visit, Katerina couldn’t wait to share her thoughts about what made this exhibition so special.

“You know what really blew me away about this exhibition? It spans such an incredible timeframe – from the Neolithic period all the way to the 19th century!” Katerina writes. “I loved how it shows these women in all their complexity – not just as mothers or wives, but as goddesses, priestesses, merchants, fighters, and brilliant minds. These weren’t one-dimensional characters – they were real, complex women.”

Katerina mentions that the exhibition starts with something unexpected – the peaceful face of an unknown saint from a 13th-century wall painting from Naxos. From there, visitors come face-to-face with the jaw-dropping Colossal Kore of Thira from the Archaic Period that simply dominates the room.

“I could have spent hours in the room dedicated to the island goddesses,” Katerina admits. “The statues – mostly of Artemis – are absolutely gorgeous. There’s this one piece, Artemis Elaphebolos (showing her shooting arrows at stags) from Delos that has never left the island before this exhibition. Talk about a rare treat!”

According to Katerina, one of the coolest parts was climbing the mansion’s fairytale-like wooden staircase with its plush red carpet to discover the exhibits about sea goddesses. “Did you know that Isis got a total makeover in the Cyclades? She became ‘Pelagia’ and protected sailors – a role that later transferred to the Virgin Mary in Christian tradition. I find these cultural evolutions absolutely fascinating!”

Katerina appreciates that the exhibition doesn’t sugarcoat history. “They don’t shy away from the tough stuff,” she writes. “They honestly address the gender violence that existed in these patriarchal island societies. There’s this heartbreaking story about Νeiko, a noblewoman from Sikinos who was tortured to death during an exorcism just because people thought she was ‘possessed.’ Her burial was only discovered in 2018, and while it’s a difficult story, I think it’s so important that these women’s experiences aren’t erased from history.”

The living language experience

For our Italian students, this museum visit wasn’t just about seeing pretty artifacts – it was a chance to use their Greek in a real-world context! As they explored over 180 masterpieces (many on public display for the first time), they experienced Greek culture in a way that no textbook could ever capture.

Let’s be honest – classroom learning is essential, but there’s something magical about standing in front of ancient artifacts and finding yourself naturally reaching for Greek words to express your thoughts. The students found themselves asking questions, sharing observations, and reacting emotionally – all while their Greek vocabulary suddenly seemed more relevant than ever.

This get-together reminds us what language learning is really all about: making connections. Whether it’s connecting with people across borders, connecting with history through artifacts, or just connecting over coffee and museum gift shop finds – these are the moments when a language truly comes alive.

We couldn’t be prouder of our Italian language enthusiasts and teachers like Katerina who go the extra mile to create these unforgettable experiences. Their day at the Cycladic Museum wasn’t just a field trip – it was language learning at its most authentic, wrapped up in friendship, culture, and the powerful stories of women through the ages.

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