As part of a Cultural Heritage Education course with the Europass Teacher Academy, I spent a week in Athens in March exploring the city as a living case study.

One of my main goals for this Erasmus trip was to find fresh, engaging ways to bring cultural heritage into our classrooms. And really, what better place to explore that than Athens, the cradle of European culture?

Our wonderful instructor, Cynthia—an archaeologist and historian—guided us through the major turning points of Greek history and politics. She also showed us just how deeply Greek roots are woven into English and our everyday vocabulary. Using an ancient vase depicting the return of Hephaestus to Mount Olympus, she demonstrated the 'Artful Thinking Palette' method, focusing on the 'Rationalizing' routine. It was a fantastic example of how to truly connect an observer with an artistic object.

We also tried out a 'GooseChase' mission at the Acropolis Museum, which was a fun, competitive way to track down some of the most significant exhibits. It made the visit even more memorable, not that a museum of that caliber needs much help making an impression.

On our last afternoon, we climbed Pnyx Hill. With the sun setting behind the Acropolis as our backdrop, our group of nine participants from all corners of Europe held a debate, channeling the original democratic spirit of that ancient meeting place.

The course was incredibly inspiring. I came home genuinely motivated to try these techniques with my own students, hoping to help them feel a bit closer to the cultural heritage we all share.