How Odyssey Leadership Prepared Me to Study Abroad in Greece and Turkey
- Cultural Compass
- May 8
- 4 min read
Updated: May 8
Contributor: Wyatt Thompson
On April 2, 2024, I received an email from SEU titled “Study Abroad Opportunity for SEU Extension Site Students.” I opened the email with reserved interest, thinking that I would read it just to know what was happening that semester, but would ultimately do all my studies at home.
As I read through the email, I began to think that the itinerary sounded very exciting. From November 3-13, 2024, SEU would take students on a tour through Greece on a Footsteps of Apostle Paul Tour & 3 Night Cruise to see some of the cities where Paul preached, along with some tourist sites.
However, when I read how much the trip would cost, I thought that it would be highly unlikely that I could afford to participate in this experience. I closed the email somewhat disappointed, but I was unwilling to forget about it.
Traveling & Paying For an International Trip On My Own
As a Florida resident, I was able to use state scholarships towards my SEU tuition. Because of the amazing discount SEU provides for participants of the CC Plus Undergrad Program, my financial aid completely covered the costs of tuition and I received a refund each semester.
I quickly remembered that because of these refunds, I could pay for the trip. So, I approached my parents with this idea, and to my surprise, they encouraged me to participate in this program.
In Odyssey Leadership, I learned how to budget while serving on the Planning Team in Branson, MO, and the Catering Team in Destin, FL. I discovered that traveling requires a significant financial commitment for activities and for food. Though this tour would cost me a large sum of money, I knew that the experience I would gain from this trip would be worth the investment.
Prior to Odyssey Leadership, I was nervous that if I was alone in an airport, I would miss the flight or lose a personal belonging. Through the four excursions, I learned how to navigate airports. I have experienced TSA, non-stop flights, extended layovers, and flight delays, and getting to experience those prepared me to confidently get to my final destination on my own.
The day before the trip, I flew to San Francisco to meet my professor and classmates. In my mind, I pictured going through security in the international terminal being much more complicated than in a domestic terminal. To my surprise, this was very simple and felt very similar to prior travel experiences.
Places I Visited
The first stop on my Greek and Turkish journey was in Philippi. Here we got to see the river in which Lydia was baptized and, at the ancient ruins, the prison where Paul was incarcerated. Then we drove to Kavala, which was known as Neapolis in the book of Acts. This was the port city where travelers would disembark to go to Philippi.
The next day, we took a bus tour through Thessaloniki. We got to see the ancient city wall and how the modern city was built around it on the inside and outside. Then we began our journey south to Athens, first stopping in Berea where we saw the place where Paul preached to the Bereans.
The next morning, we stopped in Meteora to see the Byzantine Monasteries. These were fascinating as they were built at the tops of mountains and had intricate artwork inside.
Early the next morning, we were shuttled to the Port of Lavrion to embark on a Greek Island Cruise. In the evening, we docked in Mykonos and toured the harbor.
Overnight, the ship sailed to the Port of Kusadasi and the next morning we woke up early to take a shuttle bus to Ancient Ephesus. Here we had the ability to see the Library of Celsus and take in the fact that there was a riot in those ruins because the Gospel challenged their beliefs.
Around lunch time, we boarded the ship again and sailed to Patmos. We arrived around sunset, which allowed us to see the island with sunlight and after sundown. While we were there, we caught a glimpse of the Cave of the Apocalypse, where John received the Revelation.
On the last day of the cruise, we spent the day in Santorini. It was truly fascinating to see all the villages nestled at the top of the mountains, walk through them, and take in the view of the Mediterranean.
The next morning, after disembarking the cruise at the Port of Lavrion, we boarded a bus that was headed to the Ruins of Corinth. Here, we saw the Bema – the judgment seat where Paul testified to Gallio, the proconsul of Corinth (c.f. Acts 18:12).
On the final day of the tour, we went to Athens to see the Acropolis and the Areopagus. We got to see the Parthenon and the incredible views from the Acropolis. Then we walked just a few steps to see the Areopagus, where Paul showed that the Unknown God is Jesus. Before we approached the site, one of the students volunteered to read aloud the passage from Acts 17, which was a very powerful time.
Final Thoughts
When I signed up for Odyssey Leadership, I never thought that I would travel internationally just seven months after the program. After participating in the four excursions, I gained so many skills that prepared me to pay for an international trip on my own and fly to San Francisco and Greece with confidence.
I am so grateful to have chosen Odyssey Leadership because through it, I was adequately prepared to go overseas independently, learn biblical history on-site, and bring that leadership experience home.
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