Arriving in Greece

When I arrived in Athens, I was already lost. It was 110 degrees, I had 100lbs of luggage to carry, and I was exhausted. I left my home in the U.S. at 5 am and arrived in Greece at 6 am the following day, with the time difference I had been traveling for 18 hours. At that point, I spoke no Greek, I couldn't figure out how to do simple tasks like use a pay-phone, and the only thing I knew was that a village called "Dion" was my destination.

Getting from the U.S. to Dion took everything I had. Aside from the flight, there was little time for food or rest. It was very intense, and all of the responsibility was on me. So, it is important to remember not to get overwhelmed when you arrive. Take a deep breath and take everything in stride. Looking back on my arrival now, I realize how necessary this experience was. If I were to arrive in a foreign city today, I'd be fine simply because of what I learned that first day in Athens.

Funny as it may sound; this is exactly the type of experience I wanted. Sink or swim environments make for quick learning. And as hard as that first day was, things immediately calmed down once I met the other students. I also learned that they had some of the same concerns I did about leaving home and spending a semester in unfamiliar environment. That first night, I got to relax with my new friends in the twilight beauty of Mount Olympus.

Once the initial struggle of getting situated was over, I was immediately able to relax and enjoy myself. The other students and I would visit the beaches daily, and just take in the untainted beauty of rural Greece. The lifestyle and environmental changes were so great that they provided me with the fresh perspective I needed. During my time in Greece, the days were so full that I experienced something for the first time in my life: the moment. I was able to let go of my inner dialogue and simply enjoy the moment.

I found that unlike some students, I didn't miss home at all. In order to be fully receptive of Greece, I had decided to approach my semester with an open mind.

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