Growing up, traveling meant a trip to the beach, or upstate New York. Nearly all my life, I never even left the East coast, and even today my family takes the same vacation to Lake George, N.Y., every year. Now, I wouldn’t change those family vacations for anything, but I have always dreamed of leaving my comfort zone and exploring what the world has to offer. Now, as I sit here and write in Athens, Greece, I am fulfilling my dream of discovering a new side of the world, other than the east coast of the US.

When I first committed to study abroad for five weeks in Greece, I was scared out of my mind, and excited beyond belief. I am lucky enough to explore and enhance my academic experience in a completely different culture. However, the idea of being a so far away from my family, my friends, and my beloved Jersey bagels frightened me beyond belief. Fortunately, my excitement outweighed my fears and I was actually able to board my plane without incident. Thanks to my bravery, and help from my mother getting to the airport, I am now in Greece, learning and having the experience of a lifetime.

The main reason I wanted to go abroad was to open myself up to new experiences that will broaden my perspective on life. Being in a city miles from home gives me insight into the history, customs, culture and geography of a place completely different from what I am used to. Interacting with a new environment helps to challenge my norms; and, by extension, challenge myself. While it is possible to learn about a different place and the people who live there through books, movies, and other modes of information at home; physically being here, seeing the ruins, experiencing the mannerisms and actions, and trying the food gives a more complete understanding I could never get just from a book. This opportunity, I know will help me understand the places I am visiting, and apply that knowledge to the topics I am studying, which all were born in Greece.

After waiting so long to see and discover a new place, I feel like I am on top of the world. Even after only a few days, everything I have seen and experienced seems incredible to me and I know will stay with me for the rest of my life. Of course, I am still seeing this experience through my rose colored tourist glasses; meaning that since everything about travel and seeing a new place is new to me, I am much less likely to see anything wrong with these new places. Regardless of that, I am in love with Greece, and traveling here has made me want to see the rest of the world even more.

Fortunately for me, my trip has just begun. I still have several more weeks of learning and loving the country of Greece and the various locations throughout the country I am lucky enough to see. I cannot wait to see what the country has in store for me, and I am ready for whatever adventures I find here. I am living the dream of my younger self, who read the "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" novels and fell in love with Greece, the magical place that is described within the books.