By Dalton Greene ‘22
Dear Words readers,
Γεια σας (hello) from Athens! Since graduating from Macalester last year, I’ve been here in Greece, working as a teaching assistant in a local high school with the support of a Fulbright grant. As I write this, our academic year is winding down, much as yours is stateside, and so it feels an appropriate time to reflect on this experience and share a sort of year in review.
When I made the move to Greece, I came in with a very particular image in my mind of what a Fulbright in the country would consist of. This included Mamma Mia-style frolicking on the islands, fancy events attended by big shot ambassadors and politicians, and a lot of Greek salads and olive oil. And while I’ve gotten all of the above in small doses, it turns out that the vast majority of a teaching assistantship is actually assisting with teaching, which is how I spend most of my days.
This work has been so energizing, and it’s made for a fruitful continuation of the skills and experiences I gained in college. I’ve split my time between the university applications counseling office, where I’ve met with students applying to universities in English-speaking countries (mainly the US and the UK) to polish their essays, and working in English classrooms, jointly targeting linguistic and literary education. I’ve had the opportunity to design my own lessons and projects from scratch, to provide feedback and see brilliant students improve their work, and to foster dynamic, collaborative classroom environments. Through all of this, I’ve drawn on lessons learned at Mac as an FYC preceptor, in conversations about pedagogy in my capstone, and as a student of many dedicated and talented professors. This all prepared me well for the transition from student to educator–although the boundary between the two is extremely porous.
This isn’t to say, though, that it’s been all work and no play. I’ve been extremely fortunate to have received the time and resources this year to travel within and beyond Greece, and I’ve tried to make the most of it. Living in Athens, there’s no shortage of things for an eager Classics minor to explore, but I’ve especially enjoyed seeing other areas of the country. From the small villages at the foot of Mt. Olympus to the northern port city of Thessaloniki to, of course, the islands, Greece contains such diversity, and some of the most friendly people in the world. There is a strong ethos here of ξενοφιλία (xenophilia, literally “love of the stranger” and opposite of xenophobia), which has existed in Greek culture since antiquity and makes for such an open, welcoming environment. And, thanks to budget airlines and cheap hostels, I’ve been able to live out my 20-something European backpacker fantasies, which have taken me to eleven countries so far (with three more planned before the end of the year!).
I would’ve never imagined any of this as possible for me without having been encouraged to pursue this opportunity by my advisors and mentors at Macalester, and so, as ever, I’m grateful for my time there (and with the English department especially) for opening new doors. The personal fulfillment and professional development this year has brought is staggering, and now, looking ahead to what’s next, I’m still in awe at the way this first year post-graduation has played out. For any current students reading this and wondering What Do I Do With My English Degree, trust that there is a whole world–literally–of opportunity waiting for you, and be bold in pursuing what excites you.
With love,
Dalton
Thank you so much to our beloved alumnus Dalton Greene ‘22 for writing this article. If you are considering a Fulbright or have any other questions for Dalton, you can reach him at [email protected].