Eager to follow in the footsteps of a college student who studied abroad in Greece? We recently caught up with Laura, a finance major from Grand Valley State University, who spent her summer studying abroad in the ancient city of Athens!
Read on to learn more about Laura’s experience with AIFS Abroad and what it’s like studying abroad in Athens, Greece.
Deciding Where to Study Abroad
It’s common for college students to have difficulty deciding exactly where to study abroad. While AIFS Abroad offers dozens of amazing destinations, our program search tool makes it easy to filter by academic interest, country, and term, so you can find a program that matches your preferences. As Laura had always heard positive things about Greece and its beautiful landscapes, Athens was an easy choice:
“I have always heard amazing things about Greece and how beautiful it is. I would recommend this program to any students who are willing to put themselves out there and try new things.”
Preparing Family & Support Systems
If you have family members who have mixed feelings about you going abroad, providing them with more information about AIFS Abroad programs can help ease their worries. We encourage parents to browse our website and attend AIFS Abroad webinars. When they learn about our trusted on-site staff, safe housing, and 24/7 emergency assistance included in every program, they often feel much more confident in your decision to study or intern abroad.
One of her family’s biggest worries was having Laura fly to Athens alone. If you choose to purchase tickets yourself rather than opting for the AIFS Abroad Travel Package (which includes round-trip flights and airport transfers), you should see if any other students from your home university are enrolled in the same program, so you can all fly together as Laura did:
“I had been chatting with two other people who went to my home university, who were also studying abroad at ACG (The American College of Greece). We booked our flights together and were able to communicate beforehand. This really helped ease my family’s worry.”
University Experience
When you study abroad, you gain access to a whole new educational experience: professors who apply a local perspective to subject material, international students from around the world, location-based courses, and a campus that offers a unique academic and cultural environment. Laura attended The American College of Greece, which is located about 15 minutes from the city center, allowing her to appreciate the change of scenery after a short commute: “We were in a very Greek town, which was cool. The campus was also very pretty.”
Laura took two courses during her summer program in Athens, which, as she said, were made up of about “50/50 study abroad students and Greek students,” providing opportunities to meet locals and other students from around the world.
Trips and Excursions
AIFS Abroad programs include trips and excursions that offer immersive experiences in your host country, helping you deepen your understanding of the local culture and history, all while you have fun with your fellow participants. As Laura notes, her excursions during her summer study abroad program in Greece took her around some of the local islands and beyond to Italy: “The excursions were great!… We went to Italy and a few other Greek islands!”
Making Friends Abroad
In addition to trips and excursions, AIFS Abroad programs include social and cultural activities that help participants bond and further immerse themselves in the culture of their host city. Beyond these built-in events, you’ll be able to connect with locals during your everyday life and experience the lively energy the Greeks are known for. Laura found the people in Athens especially welcoming and eager to strike up conversation: “[My] social life was great! Everyone is very friendly and likes talking to Americans.”
If you’re worried about making friends abroad, that’s totally normal! Fortunately, everyone in your program will be in the same boat as you, and as Laura discovered, a little effort can go a long way. If you want to make friends, Laura recommends that you “put yourself out there and don’t be afraid to start a conversation!”
Tasting the Local Cuisine
For many students, one of the most fun perks of studying abroad is getting to taste your way through your host country. And Laura was no exception; she emphasized how she “loved the food!” Thinking back on her first night in Athens, the delicious food stands out in Laura’s memory; she said that she will “never forget the first night when we went out to dinner and tasted the food for the first time.”
In fact, the local cuisine made such an impression that she“tried to cook more Greek-inspired food once home.” Seems her semester in Athens really pita new spin on learning!
AIFS Abroad Resources
AIFS Abroad programs include trusted on-site support staff who are there to assist you with just about anything—whether you want recommendations for local restaurants that can accommodate your dietary restrictions or you’re locked out of your housing and don’t know what to do (to name just a couple!). As Laura discovered during her program with AIFS Abroad, help was never far away:
“The resources, while I was there, really stood out. I always felt like I was in communication and had someone to talk to if needed… Our [Program Director] helped us a lot.”
Study Abroad Advice from Laura
Looking back on her experience, Laura encourages future study abroad students to embrace new connections and step beyond their comfort zone:
“Do not be afraid to put yourself out there. Sometimes the people you think you have nothing in common with end up being the people you can talk to for hours!”
Are you ready to take the leap and study abroad like Laura did in Athens? We’d love to help you start your journey!
Here at AIFS Abroad, we know a thing or two about helping college students study abroad. Our programs are packed with valuable inclusions (which really take the stress out of planning!), such as housing, trips and excursions, cultural and social activities, comprehensive insurance, 24/7 emergency support, on-site staff, and more. When you choose AIFS Abroad, you can go abroad with confidence knowing you’ll have support throughout your entire experience.
