When I decided to study in Greece for a semester, I was thrilled by the opportunity that lay before me. I wanted my abroad experience to push me outside of my comfort zone and to teach me things that surely only coming to Greece could do. With its rich culture, strong history and beautiful landscape, I knew Greece would change me for the better.

While I anticipated the culture shock and the language difference, I could not have really prepared myself for uprooting to another country completely. In the beginning, I felt anxious constantly and confused most of the time. However, as I allowed myself to take in the true beauty that is Greece, I found myself walking the streets of Athens with a smile and determined attitude.

Although there were daily struggles with the language barrier and many challenges with the jarring cultural differences, I learned to appreciate the authenticity of my experience. It amazed even me when I began to laugh about the little things that could otherwise have escalated into negative issues.

One of the primary reasons I chose to come to Greece was my hope of being able to identify with my Greek roots better. I can surely say that, despite the challenges, there was no better way to get what I wanted from my experience than to throw myself in 100%. My Greek language class quickly became my favorite because it gave me an invaluable opportunity to immerse myself more in the Greek culture as I attempted to understand and speak more Greek. For me, the language still proves to be very difficult, but I pride myself in every bit that I begin to understand, because it helps me feel less like a visitor in this country I’m calling home for four months.

Greece has given me such wonderful opportunities to meet new people and see new things. I love that I am able to see such breathtaking things, like the Acropolis or the Greek islands, because I realize that I have an opportunity that not many people have. I love meeting people from all different backgrounds and walks of life, and constantly being exposed to new cultures and traditions. I feel very blessed to walk to class and have such an amazing view of Athens, so incredible yet humbling. But above all, I feel fortunate to have had this amazing adventure in Europe and within myself. I can say with complete certainty that I will return to America and forever appreciate what I have learned in Greece. Greece will always have a special place in my heart and I am very happy to say that my experiences here have never made me more proud to be Greek.