Eleni Skarsouli was a Greek 2023-2024 Fulbright Schuman Research Scholar in Literature at the University of California, Berkeley. Eleni Skarsouli has studied Classics in Greece and Germany and holds a PhD in Greek Philology from the University of Cologne. She has worked as a research assistant in the project “Edition Kölner Papyri ” and has edited documentary and literary papyri. In 2021 she published an edition of three papyri containing unknown passages from the Euripidean tragedy Telephos. Besides the edition of papyri her research also encompasses various topics related to ancient Greek language and life in antiquity (legislation, material culture, professional practices, color terminology etc.). In the last years she has investigated the use of metaphorical language in Ancient Greek for the expression of emotions.
Q: “Can you briefly describe your grant project?”
The majority of the available papyri preserve texts from all areas of everyday life (private letters, petitions, contracts, administrative correspondence etc.). They therefore constitute a significant source of information on various aspects of life in antiquity (language, social organization, material culture, administration, legal concepts etc.). Particularly valuable is the information we can draw from the papyri about the Hellenistic period, which is very important but for which our knowledge is generally limited. The aim of my project was to undertake the preliminary sorting and categorization of unpublished Hellenistic papyri from the Berkeley Papyrological Collection. Based on this initial assessment, certain papyri were digitized and a collaboration between the University of California at Berkeley and the University of Cologne aiming at the systematic edition of selected papyri was planned.
Q: “Can you describe a typical day in your life in the USA?”
During a typical day, I worked in the Bancroft library, where the papyrological collection is hosted, assessing the papyrological material. I had lunch-breaks with colleagues on the terrace of the campus cafeteria enjoying the sun and generally the good weather, and finding the opportunity to have interesting discussions on various topics (not only concerning our research, but also concerning matters of our everyday life in Berkeley or of current affairs). On some days, there were also presentations given by members of the department or by visiting scholars. After the library closed (at 6 p.m.), I would walk back to my apartment, and some afternoons I would meet up with people I had met in Berkeley (we cooked together, went to concerts, played board games, etc.) During the weekends I organized excursions to natural parks.
Q: “Has the United States been what you expected? In what ways has life in the USA surprised you, either for its similarities to or differences from your own culture?”
The United States was not exactly what I expected, meaning that it is different to experience something than just hearing about it. For example, being used to European cities, it was a new experience for me to be in a place where people don’t usually walk, but mostly use cars to get around. It was a strange feeling walking around without seeing any other pedestrians. This aspect also influenced the structure of the city, so that important places or shops of the city were not located in the center, but on the outskirts. Moreover, because of this reason people had different approaches to distances. In general, it was interesting to discover the similarities, but also the differences, between the European and the American mentality concerning everyday habits but also approaches to certain topics.
Q: “What will you do after your Fulbright grant? In what ways has your experience in the USA this year impacted your plans for the future?”
After my Fulbright, I began working as a postdoctoral researcher on a papyrological project in Belgium. My stay in Berkeley was important to establish a collaboration between the Cologne papyrological group and the Berkeley papyrological team. Together we will plan a project for the edition of Hellenistic papyri from the Berkeley collection. On a more personal note, I have made important friendships during my stay that I am sure I will keep.
Q: “As a Fulbright Schuman grantee, you have been a cultural ambassador not just for your home country but for the entirety of the European Union. Has this experience changed what it means to be “European” for you?”
My experience definitely made me more conscious about what “European” is. It helped me realize that aspects of everyday life, social structures and beliefs that we (Europeans) take for granted or consider international are actually European and do not exist everywhere (for example, our understanding of the structure of a city, of the role of the state or society).
Apart from my interaction with Americans during my stay I also had the opportunity to discuss and compare my experiences in the USA with other European scholars and it turned out that we mostly made the same observations. This makes it even clearer that, despite the differences between European countries, there are also many common elements that are often overlooked because they are (wrongly) taken for granted.
Q: “What advice would you give to someone who is considering applying to the Fulbright Program?”
I would definitely encourage them to apply. It is a unique experience that will not only enrich their research or studies, but also broaden their horizons. However, since there are some differences even in very simple elements of everyday life, it is important to be well informed about the country and the city you are going to and, if possible, to find someone there to ask for advice before the visit (e.g. regarding the choice of accommodation).
Articles are written by Fulbright grantees and do not reflect the opinions of the Fulbright Commission, the grantees’ host institutions, or the U.S. Department of State.