Studying abroad this past summer was a decision that pushed me out of my comfort zone, but it's also a decision I do not regret. From touring the gorgeous blue, white sandy beaches to hiking the highly elevated historical sites to touring the archeological museums to spending time with my peers to attending lectures and corporate visits, I got the full experience academically, personally, and culturally.

Spending one month in Greece with 26 unfamiliar faces was frightening at first. However, if I hadn’t taken a leap of faith to do this program, I wouldn’t have learned new facts about Greece, experienced things I wouldn’t back in the US, formed amazing connections with my peers, and unlocked a new era of myself.

My study abroad experience in Greece, on an academic and career level, expanded my interest in international business, sustainability, and international marketing through our lectures as well as the numerous corporate visits we had. It was very exciting to see the behind-the-scenes processes for various goods we consume on a day-to-day basis, and I was able to make connections to my major and what I have learned in business so far.

My study abroad experience in Greece, additionally on a personal level, pushed me to meet people from different backgrounds and majors than me which forced me to get more out of my comfort zone since I’m an incoming sophomore and have yet to meet more people during my time at MSU. Throughout my program, I also learned that the Greek people are very friendly and love to make conversations, especially with tourists. Interacting with these people helped me become more self-aware of how I came across and taught me how to explain where I’m from and my study abroad excursion in a way they could comprehend.

Furthermore, I learnt new things about Greek culture from carrying out my day-to-day activities. For example, in hotels we weren't allowed to add toilet paper to the toilet because of the ancient sewage systems and that during dining out the Greek people don't expect you to tip. Additionally, the Greeks have a light lunch around 11am to 12pm and then a dinner around 9pm to 10pm which was a huge adjustment from the United States dinner time of 6pm to 7pm. Dinner in Greece is also considered a socializing experience with drinks and dancing in Greece and that was very much there during our group dinners and when we hung out with the Greek Master students.

Throughout my time abroad, I had a roller coaster of experiences of all sorts. There were times of homesickness, loneliness, and fearfulness. Hence, overcoming these challenges not only made me build character but also helped me learn to adapt to new crowds and get out there more.

Studying abroad was a great decision, and I will carry the lessons from Greece with me as I learnt and experienced a lot while visiting my dream destination.

Name: Shreya Bala
Status: Sophomore
Major: Supply Chain Management
Hometown: Troy, Michigan
Program: Business Law, Ethics, and Sustainability in the Global Market in Greece