In an effort to escape this heinous election season, I will be moving out of the country. Nahhh I’m just kidding. But in just about a month, I’ll be embarking on one of the greatest adventures of my life. I will be studying abroad for my first semester of college in Thessaloniki, Greece, as a part of the N.U.in program at Northeastern University. Yes! My first semester. Throughout the course of the summer, I’ve found myself making small talk about the coming year with just about anyone I come across. I always start the same way, and most often get the same reaction. I say, “Well I’m going to Northeastern, but I’m starting abroad--”, and before I can even finish my next word, I hear, “Abroad now? What? Really? How? Wow! How expressive! With this often comes a lengthy conversation, which brings an onset of complete confusion. So in an effort to explain myself a bit, here is a summary of how most of these conversations have been going, and how I try to best explain the craziness that is going to be my first semester of college.
1. "Do they even let Freshman study abroad?"
Most definitely! I mean...I honestly can’t back that up with all too much evidence. The amount is probably so small that when I Googled “college Freshman studying abroad”, the only things I found were a few short articles on some suspicious blogs, and a picture of a turtle. So I don’t have too much to prove my point. Nonetheless, I can speak for the N.U. in program. There are just about 1,000 of us traveling to six different different countries and attending eight different universities. I don’t know about you, but I think that’s pretty damn special for a bunch of little college Freshman.
My entire high school career, I was so focused on having a strictly traditional, southern university experience; entering my freshman year, ready to immediately rush a sorority, move right into a freshman dorm, all gearing up to graduate in exactly four years. Yet at the same time, I’ve always found the transition from high school to college very strange. It’s always seemed too abrupt and not fluid enough for me. I always considered a gap year, or even deferring a semester, just to gain some applicable life experience by traveling or working. Once I learned about the N.U.in program, it was like a Cinderella moment. It is the perfect combination of classroom time, service learning, and traveling, all smushed into a 89 day semester. So funny enough, the girl who wanted that classic start to her Freshman year ended up choosing a super non-traditional, north-eastern school, with the least stereotypical start. Funny how things happen like that, right?
2."Won’t it be intimidating coming back to campus in January?"
I must admit, moving on to campus for spring semester might take some time to comfortably transition. I’ve never been super eager to embrace change, and it often takes pushing myself to do so. But with almost 1,000 other N.U.in students joining me, I think I’ll feel pretty supported and eager to start getting involved. Also, those who know me can vouch for me when I say I like to get involved in everything. Club & activity fairs are practically my poison; if I’m so chill about spending my first semester on a different continent, I think I’ll be more than willing to join a club or 10. You call it overly ambitious? I call it never having a dull moment. So NEU involvement fairs, you’re not even ready for this girl!!!
3."Aren’t you afraid of like getting mugged or something?"
Just as afraid as I am of getting mugged while strolling through midtown Manhattan on a sunny Tuesday afternoon. There will always be people anywhere you go in the world, that are looking for someone vulnerable to take advantage of. However, there are three things my parents have taught me that can foil the plans of even the slickest thief: diligence, attentiveness, and responsibility. The most important thing to do is be conscious about how you present yourself in order to avoid those who are lurking. I know to consistently walk with confidence and direction, as if I always know where I’m going, even if I’m stupid lost and sobbing on the inside. I know to never pull out my phone, wallet, or any other valuables while I’m walking on the street – to most swindlers these are not only signs of wealth, but also carelessness. I know that if there’s something I treasure more than my own life itself (hint hint: my "Friends" box set with additional bonus features), leave it at home! It’s better safe than sorry. And most importantly, I know that in the event that something does happen, I always have a go-to plan and a support system that is just a call away.
4.“I assume you’re not going to plan on studying abroad again after this, right?”
I will never rule out the option to study abroad again. Of course I can’t promise it’s a sure thing, but hey, let’s see where college takes me! To be honest, I haven’t done all too much traveling outside the U.S besides the occasional Caribbean vacation, and some time in Canada one summer. With that being said, this is just the beginning of the many adventures I know that I will go on throughout my college career, and even my life. I want to see the world for all that it is. The more I see, the more I will know, and the more I will grow as an individual. It’s as simple as that. As William Hazlitt once said, “You know more of a road by having traveled it than by all the conjectures and descriptions in the world.”
5.“How do you think this semester will affect your choices throughout the rest of your college career?”
I’m positive that this semester will shape what I make out of the rest of my time at Northeastern University. Whether it be in terms of decisions socially or academically, I know that this semester will change my outlook on just about everything I do. When considering the N.U.in program, I thought of a moment from the film, “Hotel Rwanda”, that has been embedded in my memory since my freshman year of high school. Paul Rusesabagina is speaking to Jack, an American camera-man who is on site covering the Rwandan genocide. Paul says, “I am glad that you have shot this footage and that the world will see it. It is the only way we have a chance that people might intervene.” Jack quickly responds, “Yeah and if no one intervenes, is it still a good thing to show?” Questioning his response, Paul asks, “How can they not intervene when they witness such atrocities?” Jack shoots back by saying “I think if people see this footage they’ll say, ‘oh my God that’s horrible,’ and then go on eating their dinners.” I recall hearing this and thinking about the thousands of times I heard a newscaster revealing devastating footage, and my reaction being so similar to that described in the film. Although I’m made aware of atrocities occurring all around the world by the news and social media, I don’t really know. I can’t understand it even in the slightest. Instead of just reading my textbooks for information, I’m going to be engaging in dialogue with those who have experienced things I have only seen on CNN prime time. With this knowledge, I will have a better understanding of the world, that will guide me to decided what I want to make out of my college career.
6.“You’re about to embark on one of the most spectacular adventures of your life. How excited are you?!?”
I am so extremely fortunate for this opportunity that Northeastern has provided me. It is not all too often that college Freshman are encouraged to venture so far out of their comfort zone, let alone have the option to do something so special as to study in a such a beautiful country as Greece. Although I have yet to leave, I am so thankful for the N.U.in staff for curating this program and making my start to college so special. I’m so thrilled to start calling Thessaloniki, Greece my new home. Here’s to the next three months, that I’m sure will be filled with more excitement than I can ever imagine.
