From Stephens to Greece: How a Study Abroad Trip turned the World into their Classroom
For more than two weeks, Greece’s ancient streets, bustling coastal towns, and historic sanctuaries became a living classroom for Stephens College students as they discovered what it truly means to lead.
Led by Dr. Kaneshya Lucas, assistant professor of Business Administration, twelve students embarked on a transformative study abroad trip centered on women’s leadership, examined through a global lens. Rather than relying solely on traditional lectures and textbooks, the course took core concepts directly into the world, challenging students to step into their authority, build cross-cultural competencies, and redefine leadership on their own terms.
Redefining Leadership through a Woman’s Perspective
The idea for the course grew from Dr. Lucas’s passion to elevate standard business curriculum into something uniquely empowering for Stephens women.
“A lot of universities study leadership, but I wanted to elevate that from a feminine perspective,” said Dr. Lucas. “Traditionally, women are viewed as the emotional ones who carry the burden. I want students to know that yes, you can be kind, but you can also be powerful.”
At the start of the course, students participated in a visioning activity where they defined and visualized what six core leadership pillars meant to them as a pre-trip reflection assignment: vision and direction, conflict and complexity, change and adaptability, communication and relationships, decision-making, and influence and power. Arriving in Greece with a personal framework already in hand, students spent their travels testing, challenging and transforming those ideas against real-world experiences.
When they returned to campus, they repeated the exercise. The contrast between their pre- and post-trip definitions captured their growth–revealing that leadership is not an innate trait reserved for a select few, but an evolving skill set grounded in relationship-building, adaptability and self-confidence.
“Leadership, to me, was something you had to be born with; that you had to already be outgoing and always prepared,” said Kaitlynn Brown ’27, a junior communication design major on her first study abroad journey. “I now know anyone can be a leader, and it is something that can be learned. In my own career, I will always remember that everyone can lead and deserves to be heard.”
Taking the Education beyond the Classroom
Based primarily in Athens, the group explored world-renowned landmarks including the Parthenon and ancient city quarters, while taking three dedicated day trips into the surrounding regions: the sacred mountain slopes of Delphi (home of the Sanctuary of Apollo), the coastal cliffs of Cape Sounion (Temple of Poseidon) and the vibrant historic seaport of Nafplio, where students observed local entrepreneurship in motion.
At every stop, the line between sightseeing and learning dissolved entirely.
For Em Spiking ’26, a senior studying child development and psychology who was traveling overseas for the very first time, standing before the Parthenon was the kind of moment that reframes everything.
“My absolute favorite part of this trip was getting to experience the Parthenon in person,” Spiking said. “It really reminded me that women have always been in positions of leadership and authority, despite the ways they have been disregarded through history.”
For Brown, the trip expanded her creative vocabulary in ways she is already applying to her work back on campus.
“In Greece, design was very simple and straight to the point, where clear symbols were used,” said Brown. “I would love to apply this to my work, where my designs can be clearly understood while still staying true to my own style.”
‘Boss Up’: Leadership Lessons in the Kitchen
Not every lesson took place at an ancient ruin or in a museum. One of the trip’s more impactful moments happened in a local kitchen during a hands-on Greek cooking class hosted by a female restaurant owner.
As students worked together creating traditional dishes like moussaka and baklava, hesitation gave way to confidence-and an impromptu rallying cry emerged.
“’Boss Up’ became the hashtag for the trip,” said Dr. Lucas. “Anytime someone didn’t have confidence in their decision-making, we told them to boss up. It was about figuring out the ingredients of what you’re working with and leading it to the result you want.”
That mindset carried throughout every interaction, teaching students that leadership across cultures is rooted in collaboration and mutual respect.
“Learning how leadership looks through different cultural lenses really inspired me to consider the many different ways you can guide those around you,” said Spiking. “In Greece, a really important element of leadership is the relationships you build, and I’m so excited to apply this to my own life.”
Built for Career Impact and Lifelong Confidence
Dr. Lucas was intentional about ensuring the trip’s lessons translated directly into lasting professional tools.
“You can have a cute photo on Instagram, but if you don’t know how to articulate your experience, it’s a very flat memory,” said Dr. Lucas. “Most of the women who come to Stephens are going to manage diverse teams in environments where they might be the only woman in the room. This type of experience equips them with the mindset that just because you’re the only one doesn’t mean you can’t be confident and take charge.”
While in Greece, students heard from several guest speakers ranging from corporate executives to small business owners, connecting with each on LinkedIn–a deliberate replacement for traditional business cards to ensure those professional relationships continued long after the flight home.
Back on campus, the learning carried forward into post-trip coursework. Students completed one-on-one professional coaching sessions with Dr. Lucas to practice articulating their leadership narratives before delivering their final presentations to an audience. The class also welcomed Stephens alumna Cara Knox ’97, who shared how she navigates leadership, pivots through career challenges and leads diverse teams both globally and locally.
“I’m trying to condition students so that it doesn’t end in the classroom and it doesn’t end with me,” said Dr. Lucas. “You have to think outside of Dr. Lucas and outside of the trip and be able to be proactive and confident in building that yourself.”
A Community that Travels with You
For the participating students, the journey reinforced the supportive, tight-knit culture that defines Stephens College.
“Attending Stephens has really allowed me to flourish as a leader,” Spiking said. “From clubs to classes, I’ve learned what it’s like to be a participant, not just a member in a community. As someone who is often hesitant to lead, I’m so thankful for the confidence it’s helped me build.”
Brown called the experience a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity – and one she hopes more Stephens students will take.
“Study abroad is absolutely worth it,” said Brown. “Stephens really does become home. The community is so supportive, and there are so many experiences that make you feel involved.”
As for Dr. Lucas, she hopes global leadership becomes a permanent part of what Stephens offers – and a defining part of what its graduates carry into the world.
“The big thing was exploring Greece, but we also want them to learn as a person and grow individually,” she said. “Because that’s where real professionals are birthed.”
More about Stephens Study Abroad Program
Dr. Lucas’s class was part of a larger delegation of 24 Stephens students who traveled together to Greece. While the business cohort explored women in leadership, Assistant Professor of Biology, Dr. Maria Boftsi, led a concurrent group that investigated the roots of Western science, medicine and philosophy.
Stephens College takes pride in its Cross-Cultural Experiences and Study Abroad opportunities, which combine rigorous academic study with immersive international experiences that complement students’ major coursework and career goals. Opportunities range from full semester abroad to summer programs spanning four to eight weeks, as well as intensive two-to three-week block courses.
Scholarships funded by Stephens College Donors make opportunities like the Cross Cultural Experience affordable and accessible to all students.
More information on available scholarships and the Stephens College Cross Cultural Experiences can be found here.
Donations to support scholarships for Study Abroad and Study Away programs can be made to the Student Experience Fund.
Photos of the Trip
Watch A Day in the Life: Greece Study Abroad Edition with Eliza Stevens ’29
Follow along with Eliza Stevens ’29, a business admin major, on Day 8 in Greece!
