Science Major Abroad

How did you select your study abroad program and/or location?

Photo provided by Danica

I chose my study abroad program and location based on what worked with my major. As a biology major, it is rare that you see students in the Natural Science department chose to take a semester or a whole year to study abroad only because the core curriculum is heavy and intensive for a four-year college. I have always wanted to study abroad; something my high school professor told me before graduating that all college students should experience before graduating. It was not until the second semester of my Junior year that I realized I really wanted to go. I was discouraged because my time in the Natural Science department, I never heard the mention of study abroad for our major, but asking around and meeting the right people I was able to find the International Partnership for Service-Learning, which is a study abroad program that allows host students to experience an academic and volunteer portion of study abroad. This was an amazing thing because I got to know my host country more by venturing out to talk with the locals and working in their communities.

Cultural Differences: Home vs. Abroad

Did your study abroad opportunity influence your perceptions about your home country?

Photo provided by Danica

My study abroad opportunity influenced my perception about my home country in a number of different ways: family values, social life, cultural norms. In the States, personal space is a big thing. It sets boundaries and helps people assess comfort levels with others, but in Greece it is totally different. There is literally no personal space and people do not get upset when people invade their space. The cars and streets are way smaller than compared to the States, which might contribute to their lack of concern on space. Also alcohol is a big part of the Greek culture, while the States is rigid on drinking, Greece celebrates  it and does not hide it away from their children. Something cool I did not know is that you can drink alcohol in public in Europe. I was so shocked and even though it was legal, in my mind it still felt illegal and at times I still looked around me to see if there was a cop waiting to hand me a ticket. The area I studied abroad in was Thessaloniki. It’s a small town in the northern most area of Greece. The crime rate there was so small because everyone knew each other and going out late was never a problem. I felt so safe even at 4 am in the morning coming back home from having drinks with friends at a tavern. I cannot say the same if I was to be doing this back home. Even though my host country has  a lot of wonderful practices and beliefs, I still wouldn’t trade them for my home country. It comes down to a sentimental thing and the fact that the States have been my only home for so long. This might not be the same for everyone, and that’s is fine. Home is wherever you feel the safest and where you can be your absolute self.

Race Abroad

What should students of similar backgrounds of identity as you be aware of before travelling or studying abroad in Greece?  

Photo provided by Danica

Students of my similar background of identity should be aware that not everywhere you go people will stress over your color. I am not saying that it’s all rainbows and sunshine, but it should not your main concern studying abroad. My experience studying abroad I found friends who were more interested with the fact that I was from New York, than that my background is of African descent. At first, I had a hard time making friends and thought it was because I was black and that the students were either uninterested in getting to know me, intimidated, or racist. Later I found out the students were shy and scared because they felt that their English was not up to par to be able to hold a conversation with me. I was surprised and immediately changed my way of thinking. I thought I was the outsider but in reality the Greeks felt like they were outsiders trying to be friends with me. What I learned from that situation was that you may think you have a situation figured out but sometimes there’s more to it than what you initially thought.