Honors Students Explore History, Culture, and Faith During Summer Odyssey to Greece

Twenty Hardin-Simmons University Honors students spent part of their summer immersed in the history, culture, and faith traditions of Greece as part of the Honors Odyssey to Greece 2026, a weeklong educational experience led by Dr. Robert Tucker, director of the Julius Olsen Honors Program, and Dr. Stephen Cook, dean of the Cynthia Ann Parker College of Liberal Arts.

The trip provided students with the opportunity to experience firsthand many of the locations and historical landmarks they have studied in the classroom while broadening their understanding of the world beyond campus.

“For our students, international travel is about more than seeing famous sites,” said Tucker. “It’s about growing in knowledge, wisdom, and faith while learning from other cultures and bringing those experiences back to their studies, careers, and communities.”

The Honors Odyssey to Greece was designed to support the Honors Program’s mission of encouraging exceptional students to pursue learning, service, and scholarship in an environment shaped by Christian faith and values.

“In keeping with our Honors mission, we traveled with the reminder that ‘To whom much is given, much is required,’ from Luke 12:48,” Tucker said. “Overall, the students had a great time and grew in their knowledge, wisdom, and faith as they navigated the ancient and modern world of Athens, Greece.”

During the seven-day trip, students explored some of Greece’s most significant historical and archaeological sites. Highlights included visits to the Acropolis, the Temple of Hephaestus, the Temple of Zeus, Mycenae, the Temple of Poseidon, and ancient Corinth, where the Apostle Paul lived, taught, and preached.

Students also experienced modern Greek culture through walking tours of Athens, visits to Parliament and the National Cathedral of Greece, and a stop at the Panathenaic Stadium, the all-marble venue used for the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. The group participated in a Greek mosaic workshop, learned traditional Greek dances, and attended a performance featuring local dancers and musicians.

A day-long cruise across the Aegean Sea took students to the islands of Hydra, Poros, and Aegina. Along the way, they experienced unique aspects of island life, including Hydra’s car-free streets and Aegina’s famous pistachio farms and cuisine.

The trip was made possible through a combination of student fundraising efforts, institutional support, and donor contributions, helping keep the experience affordable and accessible.

Tucker said opportunities like the Honors Odyssey are an important part of preparing students for lives of leadership and service.

“Hardin-Simmons University is fortunate to provide these kinds of experiences,” Tucker said. “Traveling internationally exposes students to new perspectives, deepens their understanding of history and culture, and challenges them to think beyond their own experiences. These are lessons that stay with them long after they return home.”

As students returned to Abilene, they brought with them memories of ancient ruins, vibrant culture, and meaningful conversations, along with a broader understanding of the world and how their education can equip them to engage it thoughtfully and faithfully.