Between reading the Percy Jackson series in elementary school and studying art history in college, I’ve always loved ancient Hellenistic culture. I also knew since high school I wanted to study abroad, so when it was time to pick a country, Greece was the obvious choice. Covid pushed my travels back a year, but finally, my last semester, I took two flights and moved into an apartment with seven strangers from Deree, my Greek university.
This travel experience fed my sense of adventure and taught me a level of independence in a way nothing else could. Experiencing different cultures deepened my appreciation for different perspectives and world views. I developed my resourcefulness and adaptability, I solo traveled, and those seven strangers became some of my best friends. In short, study abroad was deeply impactful on who I am as a person today.
Weekdays were spent going to classes, shopping for groceries in local markets, and learning how to live like the locals. For example, you don’t rush out of restaurants like you do here. Meals are meant to be savored, and eating together means enjoying each other’s company. I also found out the hard way that Greek coffee is meant to be sipped slowly because the coffee grounds are still in the cup. I also learned to navigate a lot of public transportation, found my favorite local bakery, and ate way too many gyros.
I was lucky enough to live in Agia Paraskevi, a suburb of Athens, which meant the ancient architecture I had seen in my textbooks were now part of my daily commute. The Parthenon on the Acropolis looked surreal next to modern cafés and rooftop bars. There’s something about exploring ancient ruins like those that reminds you just how big the world is.
On weekends, I traveled whenever I could, both within Greece and beyond. Some of my best memories were hiking the mountains of Meteora to visit monasteries from the 1200s, horseback riding through the countryside of Corfu, and swimming in the Tyrrhenian and Aegean Seas. I celebrated Orthodox Easter and Greek Independence Day, experiencing local traditions and customs, and spent countless hours exploring museums. I ferried to a nearly empty Santorini to watch the sunset on the coastline for my 22nd birthday.
Beyond Greece, I visited seven other countries (including two microstates!) each offering a new language and culture. Food was an adventure of its own. I tried so many new dishes that it’s impossible to choose a favorite. In addition to the varied architecture, seeing so many different natural landscapes left a lasting impression.
It’s impossible to put here everything I truly experienced abroad, but its impact will last me a lifetime. It gave me a new sense of confidence, and I developed new skills and sharpened existing ones. I grew new relationships and learned to connect with people from different cultures. It broadened my perspective on people and the world, and it made sure I’ll always have the travel bug.