September might as well have been a whole study abroad program, filled with travel, new cultures, great food, stress, and much learning. I have not experienced too much culture shock, as I lived in India for three years, so Greece somewhat feels like moving to another city in the US, in comparison. Minus the completely different language and seven-to-ten-hour time difference. In fact, that may be the most difficult part, communication with people back home and watching the Cowboys play at 3:00 am. Apart from that, my stress comes from my choice to take three languages on the same day. But enough about the things that have been challenging!

My first month has lived up to my pre-covid expectations and more. I have been able to visit some of the most breathtaking places through CYA, and there are not enough photos to show how stunning they really are. Within a week I had already traveled to the site of the ancient oracle in Delphi, which taught me more about the history of dedications and prophecies, and the cultural and political sides of both. Telling conquerors on either side, rulers, and regular people from around the world what to do is not necessarily honest work. Not only was the history fascinating, but one could also see why Delphi was called the navel of the earth with its beautiful surroundings and the feeling of being on top of the world.

My favorite trip so far was to Crete. For a week we traveled across Crete from the far east to the far west, visiting the some of the most amazing rock beaches, hiking up a gorge, experiencing Knossos, and immersing ourselves in the daily life of a small hill-town. Although this trip was littered with fascinating history, and some that felt like Disney land and not in the best of ways, I most enjoyed experiencing the Greek life like I never had before. The trip to that small town was like stepping into a new world, coming from the concrete city of Athens.

Everyone was so welcoming and accommodated us in any way we needed, from the small shops to the restaurant where we ate αντικριστό, delicious Cretan barbeque, along with other amazing foods. This is not to say that the Athenian people are not also quite welcoming or that their food isn’t great, it was just a different experience overall.

The last trip of the month was hiking on Mt. Olympus, the tallest mountain in Greece. The way the mountain towered over its surroundings, providing a breathtaking view of the lands around it, made it very much worth the intense hike. Although this trip made it so I only had one real weekend in Athens during this month, I would still travel the same amount again and again to make the most out of my opportunities. I recommend the same for those choosing to study abroad and get of their comfort zone.