Arizona State University Psychology Students Engage in Cultural Immersion Program in Athens, Greece
Arizona State University (ASU) psychology students participated in a six-week study abroad program in Athens, Greece, designed to explore how culture and environment shape human behavior. Led by Aris Karagiorgakis, an assistant teaching professor at ASU's School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, the program utilized cultural immersion as a 'living classroom.' Students enrolled in two courses, Cross-Cultural Psychology and Psychology of Religion, and were encouraged to observe and reflect on their daily lives as they adapted to different social norms and routines. This approach aimed to make the often-invisible influences of culture visible by placing students in an unfamiliar environment. Participants noted changes in their own behaviors, such as increased walking and reliance on public transportation, and engaged in local activities like practicing Greek at a neighborhood café and visiting historical sites. The program emphasized firsthand experience over traditional classroom learning to deepen understa...
