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.