My name is Laci Schwartz, I’m a student at the University of Louisville. I’m majoring in marketing with a sales certificate, as well as minors in finance and real estate. Fall of 2024 I chose to study abroad through CIS Abroad in Athens, Greece, an experience that has changed everything about my life. As I sit on the balcony of my apartment in Greece, I reflect and take the time to put into words what this experience has done for me and how it has shaped the person I am now.
Before I even arrived in Greece my excitement was at a high; it's exciting leading up to living in a new country for some months. Even amidst all this excitement and anticipation, I never thought Greece would feel like home. I didn’t think I would find home in a culture I didn’t grow up in. As time has gone by, Greece has become a place of comfort, a place to slow down, home. I found myself often wandering the streets without a place to be or a map pulled up on my phone. Getting ‘lost’ might just be the best thing I did every time I traveled to a new place in Greece (and in Europe). The friends I made were once just strangers, just a few months ago I didn’t even know their names, but now I have family that's spread across the world. It’s weird to imagine leaving it behind in just a few weeks. Together we navigated a new life in a foreign culture, we supported each other through everything, and we solved problems in many scenarios where traveling did not go as planned.
My greatest success in this experience is that I am not leaving the same person I came as. I came abroad with the intention of growing and getting a sense of what I want from my life. I don’t think anyone knows the answer to that at the end of the day, but the amount of growth I’ve had through my time here is absolutely irreplaceable. One of my biggest challenges was adapting to a different academic structure. It’s a difficult thing to adapt to when you’ve had the same structure your entire life. I was able to overcome this through talking to peers and continuing to pursue the challenge (after all, that is why I came here).
To anyone who is unsure of studying abroad, I only have one piece of advice: take the risk. It might be uncomfortable, it will likely make you feel out of place, and it's definitely not going to be the easiest thing you’ve ever done. But don’t be afraid to ask questions, or to be nervous, or to have doubts. However, the benefits outweigh every single one of those things. Don’t be afraid to explore the world, this opportunity isn’t always going to be there for you. You’ll discover an entirely new person in yourself and you will go home with an entirely new perspective of the world. The person you arrive as will not be the same person you leave as.
These experiences have taught me to approach every situation with curiosity and a desire to understand. I’ve learned the importance of problem solving when something doesn’t go exactly as I planned it to. This has prepared me for a career where I can create a deeper connection with other cultures. Having these soft skills that allow me to problem solve, be curious, and create meaningful connections in any future job are extremely valuable. Not only is studying abroad a personal experience, but also one for professional development.
As I near the end of my time studying abroad here in Greece, I feel a lot of nostalgia. I also feel the need to reflect and feel the emotions that come with this experience. I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything I missed at home. The friendships, the memories, the travel experiences, the culture, the growth. All of these things will stay with me for the rest of my life. I leave Greece in a few weeks with a new understanding of not only the world, but of myself. Not everyone is fortunate enough to get this opportunity, so if you do, take the risk. This journey of studying abroad will stay with me until I die, it will shape you, challenge you, and leave you with unforgettable memories.
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