By: Diana Gallego
If I could describe Study Abroad in three words, it would be: Best Decision Ever. If I could describe my time in Greece in three words, it would be: Wonderfully, Chaotically Amazing. This fall semester I did something I never thought I would have the courage to do. I travelled to a foreign country by myself, made the most amazing new friends, and immersed myself in a culture I knew almost nothing about. I was able to study for my degree while also gaining global awareness on a new level. I learned a new language and got to learn about ancient history first-hand. If you’re thinking about studying abroad, I highly recommend it.
I chose Greece because I was a Percy Jackson kid growing up; I love Greek mythology and the ancient Greek religion. This allowed me to learn more about it in one of my classes and see what modern Greece is like in person. I studied at the American College of Thessaloniki and lived in the city of Thessaloniki. It was different from the cities in the US but it still had a homey vibe to it, like it was new but familiar at the same time. I got to know some of the locals and even became a regular at the Mikel Coffee Company across the street from the apartments.
Thankfully, I wasn’t the only one experiencing Greece for the first time. I was living in a building with study-abroad students from all over the US. They’ve become dear friends, and even though the semester’s over, we’re still in touch and planning our reunion. We travelled together and went on different school trips, one of which was the notable Delphi-Athens trip where we visited the archeological sites at Delphi and visited the Acropolis Museum and the Parthenon in Athens. As an ancient history nerd, this was the highlight of my trip.
Studying abroad was just what I needed after the long COVID-19 quarantine, and I would do it again. I thank the Global Education Department for giving me the chance to visit Greece and learn more about the world and myself. If you’re considering studying abroad, JUST DO IT. It’s worth it.
