Philotimo is a Greek word that translates to English as love of honor, but it has a meaning far beyond that translation.
“It means doing good things for others simply because it’s the right thing to do,” said Maddie Kate Shelton, an Arkansas Tech University senior psychology major from Benton. “It’s a way of life that values respect, selflessness and family above all else. I really like that. I like the concept of treating each other with kindness and doing things out of the goodness of your heart, even if you don’t know them personally. It seems like a good philosophy to live by.”
Shelton learned about philotimo and a good deal more during a summer 2026 study abroad trip to Greece that was part of her degree pursuit at Arkansas Tech.
“The highlights were definitely the conversations I had with the locals,” said Shelton. “I learned about their perspective on the United States and their mindset on how things are different there compared to here (in the U.S.). I also really loved the fresh fruit. It was so delicious.”
Shelton was taken with Greek sustainability measures centered around reducing emissions from cars and making hotels more energy efficient. She enjoyed the walkability, historical sites, architecture and marble sidewalks of Athens.
“The Greece way of living is very much taking it easy and enjoying it,” said Shelton. “I really think that’s something Americans don’t know how to do. I feel like we’re always rushing, we always feel like we are running out of time and we’re always trying to speed things up. We never live in the moment. One of my biggest takeaways was enjoying things and not always living in the future. Live in the present…in what is happening right now.”
Shelton was joined on the study abroad trip to Greece by fellow ATU students Kyndal Atkinson, Madison Brown, Kathleen Check, Trenton Easterling, Carley Harris, Emma Helms, Laney Parrish, Charlie Randall, Addison Reagan-Smith, Breanna Scantling, Martha Smith Gomez and Brock Snider. They were accompanied by ATU faculty members Dr. David J. Eshelman, professor of communication and head of the ATU Department of Communication and Media Studies, and Dr. Mary J. Trotter, ATU assistant professor of music.
For Smith, a senior music education major from Decatur, one aspect of Greece stands out above all others.
“Olympia will always be my favorite memory,” said Smith. “From running on the original Olympic track and walking through the temple of Hera, to sitting on actual pillars and feeling the calm and peace Olympia is known for, it was a day that just could not be beat.”
Smith also enjoyed seeing the Academy of Athens at night, the food, talking with their tour guide, Steph, climbing to the stadium at Delphi, the acoustics from both the bottom and the top of the ancient theatre of Epidaurus and walking in the Acropolis.
“Everyone has a story, it’s just a matter of being willing to listen,” said Smith when reflecting upon the people she met in Greece. “I did have a bit of an advantage to some of my peers as I am bilingual in Spanish. This led to so many lovely conversations. From the breakfast with the woman from Chile to the retired couple from Spain, these conversations reminded me how small the world really is. Everyone has their hopes, dreams, worries, memories, motivators and stressors.”
Smith cited the scholarships that are available through the ATU Miller Center for Global Engagement and the guidance of ATU faculty members as two factors that made her first study abroad experience possible.
“I believe that ATU students should pursue study abroad opportunities because they allow you to learn not only about the world, but about yourself,” said Smith. “As someone who takes every opportunity to get involved and stays busy, my trip to Greece taught me how to really focus and enjoy the moment. As college students we can get caught up working for our future, forgetting that we are currently living in a future that we once worked so hard for. This experience reinforced my belief that if we would give ourselves the opportunity to meet others and explore other perspectives, we would have a greater sense of empathy and understanding.”
