Gree HUG program Immerses students in Greek culture, allowing them to explore ancient civiIizations and experience a different way of life Greek culture was a dichotomy: modernism met ancient Athens just down the road from the HardingUni– versity in Greece Fall 2002 students. Athens did not have theonly popu– lation of evolving peoples. The stu– dents ina suburb of Athens also expe– rienced challenges and growth. As soon as students arrived at their new home in Porto Rafti, Dr. Terry Edwards, director of HUG, knew this group was different. Feeling like the Brady Bunch, the group adopted six new parents, 26 sisters and 12 broth– ers. "It's like having 25 sisters aUliving together for a semester," sophomore Kathryn Cherry said. "We call Dr. Edwards 'Daddy E' because he is just like a father to us." Setting the tone for the semester, the first chapel services were about creating goals and expectations. "To grow spiritually as an indi– vidual was top priority for me," senior Jessica Rutledge said ."\ really feel that this group as a whole shares this ex– pectation." Students sang at many of the an– cient theaters scattered throughout Turkey and Greece. Checking out the acoustics in the theaters proved to be a highlight for many students. "T didn't realize how much emo– tion could come out in our singing in Ephesus," junior Melissa Ziegler said. "And the fact that bystanders, who didn't speak English, asked for an en– core made it that much more mean– ingful." Students heard thesaying, "Greeks are either the best drivers in the world or the worst, there is no in-between." They soon realized this statement's truth after being zipped around Ath– ens. Construction, traffic, guards and mobs of people defined the future home of the 2004 Olympic Games. "Right now it is a hassle being caught up in the frantic preparation Surrounded by dozens of pigeons, jun– ior Lindsey Harriman , senior Josh Harriman and sophomore Kathryn Cherry sit still so they don't disturb the birds. Pigeons were a common sight for stu– dents at HUG and could be found at almost every major monument in Europe. (Photo by Curtis Seright) Waiting anxiously on her camel, junior Alicia Roberson prepares to experience a new mode of transportation. While abroad, summer HUG students learned to step out of their comfort zones. (Photo courtesy of Becky Kelly) for the Games, but when it comes time to light the Olympic torch in the stadium, it will all be worth it," jun– ior Lindsey Harriman said. Students packed their suitcases for exotic civilizations such as Mesopotamia, Egypt and Mycanae. The tour guides colored the ruins with their unique perspectives, rang– ing from wholehearted belief in my– thology to practicing holistic heal– ing. Besides the archaeological aspect of the excu rsions, souvenir shopping was importan t. Edwards said this group was "the shopping-est group" he had ever seen. Students sometimes got a little carried away in their purchases. "It seemed like everyonewas buy– ingTurkish prayerrugsand I thought to myself 'Hey, could this catch on at Harding?'" seniorJonathan Storment said. - Katie Comett and Mitch Wiggains hug 17 1111111 .
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