Factoid:The informational meeting for the expeditions in Egypt and Greece is at 7 p.m., Tuesday at the Student Center’s video lounge on the fourth floor.

Bradley Hergott’s first overseas trip to Greece led to another excursion in Egypt and then several more.

For Hergott, a 1999 SIUC graduate, participating in the annual expedition tour in Greece seven years ago left him astounded by what there was to learn about ancient world history.

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Now in it’s 23rd year, the expedition continues with greater demand. Led by Program Director Robert Hahn, SIUC professor of philosophy, and four professors, the Ancient World Experience program has added three trips, two more for Egypt and one more for Greece. Until now, the program had slated one trip for each Egypt and Greece. There is a limit of 40 people to a group.

“Last year, we sold out and we sold out early,” Hahn said. “So anyone who’s interested should step up to the plate.”

An informational meeting for this year’s program, themed “Ideals of Excellence,” takes place 7 p.m., Tuesday in the Student Center’s video lounge on the fourth floor. The cost of the trip is about $3,800, but financial aid may apply, as well as limited study abroad scholarships, Hahn said.

A documentary-style promotional video debuts at the meeting. Produced by SIUC students, Simon Edelman and Cory Byers, the 15-minute presentation provides a closer look into what goes on at these trips. The video was shot during last spring’s trip to Greece and Byers and Edelman had to condense 25 hours of footage into the short presentation.

“It’s really interesting to see where all that stuff derived from, to know your history,” said Edelman, a senior studying cinema and photography from Wheeling.

Anyone is eligible to take part in the expeditions. Throughout the years, more than 1,300 people ranging from the ages of 18 to 86 have participated, Hahn said. SIUC students can earn up to six course credits, like Hergott, who majored in political science, did.

“It’s not like being forced to learn stuff,” Hergott said. “It’s like being in a part of the best program on the Discovery Channel. You really want to learn it.”

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The explorations take the groups on a cultural and scholarly immersion. In Egypt, participants will go on a sunset camel ride in the Sahara desert and several jaunts to historical sites including the Great Pyramids in Giza, the Cairo Museum, the West Bank and the Valley of the Kings.

Groups going to Greece will perform Aristophanes’ “Clouds” in an ancient theater, donning self-made costumes and masks. They will also foot race in the Olympic stadium and mold clay models in a local potter shop.

“You really learn a lot while you’re at the site,” Byers said. “It’s hard to ignore what’s going on, to doze off.”

The Ideals of Excellence expeditions are designed to have the groups trace the histories of democracy; and the jury structure, the arts, architecture, government, engineering and philosophy are the main objectives of the excursions.

“We have the only program of its kind,” Hahn said. “Namely, we bring along a team of five professors. Every professor, besides being in a different discipline coming to bear on this topic, directs a hands-on activity and that’s what makes our program different from any other program.”

One of Hergott’s most memorable moments during his expedition in Greece was reading excerpts of Plato’s depiction of the life and death of Socrates in the ancient prison cell where scene was based.

Now a lawyer in Chicago, Hergott still keeps in contact with some of the people he bonded with during his trips in Egypt and Greece. Since his first trip abroad seven years ago, Hergott has visited Spain. France, Germany, Belgium and lived in Taiwan for five months.

“To be honest, I’d love to go with [Hahn] again,” he said.

Reporter Jane Huh can be reached at [email protected]