I think that I see things from a completely new perspective now. There is so much more to the world than America, or even Pittsburgh, for that matter. I think that before leaving for the summer I was a very close minded person. I am a very high strung, emotional, and passionate person, but studying abroad really helped me realize what is important in life and to enjoy every minute of every day and to always immerse myself in everything. I think being abroad helped my become even more passionate but helped me also to find my "inner peace" if you will. There is so much about me that has changed that I can't really put into words. People who knew me well enough before my trip that are around me now, always tell me that there is something about me that has changed, FOR THE BETTER!
2. What self-discovery surprised you?
I completely made myself get out of my comfort zone! I did things while I was on my trip that I would NEVER have done before! I went cliff diving into the Mediterranean Sea off of a 200 ft. cliff, I volunteered at a community hospital, andI traveled with "strangers", who eventually became my best friends, all around the middle east and Mediterranean! Being completely on my own helped me realize that I can be completely independent! It also helped me realize that "worrying causes problems that aren't there".
3. If you took courses in your major; how has
studying abroad impacted your understanding of your major?
I didn't take courses that directly went towards my major. I am a nursing major, so our curriculum is set in stone so I decided to take my liberal arts courses, Art History and Greek Language (my global credit). I am so happy that I took these courses because they really helped me get the most from my traveling. Every ancient art work that I learned about, I had the chance to go and see during my travels! It was so amazing to have learned about the significance and history of the work of art and then go see it in person! I kept thinking to myself, "millions of students around the world are learning about this piece of art of architecture and I get the opportunity to see it in person! How lucky am I?" The greek language class really helped me communicate with the locals better!
4. Single greatest benefit of studying abroad?
I can't pick one single thing, but I would say that the thing that will last with me the longest, is that I learned how to be taken out of my comfort zone and adapt to a completely new, strange environment and succeed! Plus, you get to be in a new place where no one knows anything about you! You can completely start fresh! Also, just traveling in general is amazing!!!
5. How did your life goals change?
I think being abroad help me realize that I am destined for so much more than my previous plans! I want to be able to travel the world and help people! I use to want to be a nurse practitioner but now I want to go to law school and work on global health care policies! Who knows...maybe one day I will be back in Cyprus helping the Cypriots get the best health care possible!
6. What was your favorite experience?
I definitely don't have just one favorite experience! I traveled to so many places and have favorite experiences from all of them! I would say that one of the most memorable ones was when my friend Amanda and I were in Ayia Napa, Cyprus and all of our friends wanted to stay at the hotel and swim in the pool and we refused to do that! We were set on going to Cape Greco so we could cliff dive! So we just started walking...and walking...and walking! We had no idea where we were going and just kept asking locals how to get to Cape Greco! After walking for over an hour and a half, we finally hailed down a local that was driving on this abandoned street and he brought us right to Cape Greco! Whenever we got there, he gave us his number and told us to call him whenever we were done and he would come pick us back up and bring us to our hotel! We meet more locals at the cliffs and jumped off the cliffs a bunch of times! It was so invigorating just to know that we got there all by our selfs and we were jumping off these huge cliffs! I will never forget it!
7. Any advice for future participants?
Bring as much money as you can! You don't want to feel held back from doing things that other people are doing because you can't afford it! As soon as you know that you are going; SAVE! SAVE! SAVE! And also, do not let anything hold you back! Studying abroad is suppose to open you up to new and exciting and even scary experiences, TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT! DON'T HOLD BACK!
8. Would you study abroad again? Why?
ABSOLUTELY! I wish I could next summer, but I have to do a nursing internship! Studying abroad was the best choice I have made of my college career.
