Alex could often be found in a reflective, contemplative space, as in this photo at a museum, and she could just as readily be found laughing over dinner or playing at the beach. Her versatility and easygoing spirit were assets to the whole group on many occasions. Her final project, on the ways slavery degraded the Roman Empire, was an impressive piece of scholarship.
Listening is sometimes underappreciated, but it's a truly essential skill, especially in group dynamics. Often quietly observing the sights we saw, or lending an ear to a more gregarious fellow student, Alexis contributed an important piece to our group's puzzle. She crafted a creative Prezi, designed like a fashion periodical describing the very latest in fashion...in the Renaissance!
Chloe too was interested in fashion, but in the contemporary period. She documented street style and display windows in Rome, Florence, and Paris throughout our trip. Chloe made fast friendships early on in the trip, and did an excellent job of nurturing the friendships with the students she felt really close to while still allowing herself the independence to choose different activities when she wanted to.
Claire's unflagging enthusiasm and generosity of spirit were a real contribution to our group. As we visited museums and monuments, she divided her time between taking increasingly-artful pictures and asking ever more incisive questions. Even on the hottest, most exhausting days, such as this one at the Colosseum, she was ready to keep exploring and learning.
Whether regaling us with stories worthy of a stand-up comic in training, serving as a key member of the winning team in our cooking contest, or using her French skills to help her fellow students identify poulet and boeuf on restaurant menus, Cora was a vivacious member of our group. Yet she was also comfortable in solitary pursuits, from traditional scholarship to increasingly excellent photography. Her wide-ranging and ambitious final project traced the legal rights and social roles of women throughout the four periods of history our course of study covered.
From hiking Cinque Terre to exploring the Rodin museum, Emila and Nila, identical twin sisters, were inseparable--it was impossible to find pictures of them apart! But they weren't exclusive--quite the opposite, their existing bond created a more comfortable space for some of the liveliest social interactions on the trip. Surely, some of the friendships that formed wouldn't have been nearly so rich without their welcoming spirits.
During our trip, Griffin could always be relied upon to do his share--often even more than his share! From helping to keep the group together in crowded spaces to running to find a fellow student who was late for breakfast, Griffin was a real contributor to our group. When he allowed himself time to pursue his own interests, he exhibited an authentic curiosity, such as in playing with the hands-on parts of an exhibit of early musical instruments in Florence or here, exploring at Mycenae.
JJ expressed a unique way of looking at the world that was a delight to his instructors and peers alike, both intellectually and socially. His many questions--about utilities, capital punishment, the logistics of religious services, how paint was made, why monarchy was once so widespread, and many, many other subjects--punctuated nearly everywhere we visited. His appreciation of the novelty of so many of our experiences, such as tasting Greek coffee in this picture, was truly refreshing.
It was tough to find pictures of Max, because so often Max was asking a question, sharing a historical anecdote, or dashing off to read a placard at a museum or historic site. Always hungry to learn and share, one especially memorable moment was when he played the piano at Shakespeare and Company, a bookstore in Paris. Here he is on the roof of our hotel in Athens, at a rare moment of leisure.
Always ready for a physical challenge, Paris could be depended on to climb whatever monument was at hand, seemingly impervious to rain and heat. And he matched that with intellectual curiosity, too: I remember a thoughtful conversation with him in the Capitoline Museums about religions and their foundation and growth. Here he is at Mycenae, where a little thing like irregular footing didn't get in the way of his curiosity about every corner of the ruins. We all wish him the best as he prepares to begin college this fall!
Whether taking advantage of nearly every optional excursion or helping out the group by doing more than his share of communal tasks, Roarke was determined to experience the trip to the fullest, and to help others to do so, too. I began to write a sentence saying, "He was particularly interested in..." but the list of things that followed grew too long--he was interested in almost everything! His final project was a creative dialogue pitting Socrates against a leader of the Cult of Reason in the French Revolution. Here he is, enjoying Sainte-Chapelle.
Our faithful navigator and sampler of local delicacies like frogs' legs and snails, Zach was a real asset to the group. When not supporting the group with his orienteering skills, he indulged in creative flights of fancy and deep historical curiosity. I can remember many conversations, walking around one city or another after seeing something interesting, that began with Zach's asking that ever-valuable question, "Why." This persistent analytical curiosity will be a great contribution in his approaching ambitions in public service!
Zhuoyi's maturity expressed itself with a vivacious tranquility. She had many moments of intense academic and aesthetic consideration, especially of artwork; and just as many moments of delighted laughter with her fellow students. I remember, at many dinners, overhearing her tell a story of her wide-ranging international experiences, and then seeing her listening to a fellow student's own story with serious attention. We wish her the best as she embarks on a gap year before college!
This marks the end of our blog for Abbey Road Western Civ, 2015. Wherever life takes you from here, I wish you all joy, wonder, and curiosity--until we meet again!
Photos by Hannah Welch
