My Pre-Study Abroad Brain

Have you ever wondered what is going on in a person’s head when they are about to study abroad in a different country? Well, with leaving for Athens, Greece, in a few days, I’d love to share that with you.

Here’s the breakdown of what’s inside Morgan’s Pre-Study Abroad Brain:

45% – God’s Peace, Love & Promises that Transcend All Understanding
20% – All the Emotions About Leaving Everyone & Everything I’ve Ever Known
15% – Questions about the Unknown
10% – My Study Abroad in Greece Knowledge & Expectations
10% – My Goals

Now let’s take a look at each piece of the pie:

45% – God’s Peace, Love & Promises that Transcend All Understanding

Today I did a Bible study with a high school friend at home who has recently returned from her study abroad semester in Spain. We decided to focus on Philippians 4. From the “Epistle of Joy” that the Apostle Paul writes during his imprisonment in Rome, we read powerful and applicable verses: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (vs. 6 & 7). God only knows the different experiences I will encounter as I embark on my semester abroad. I pray they bring me closer to him as he gives me the strength to continually give thanks for each gracious blessing, pray in every circumstance, and be in His Word.

20% – All the Emotions About Leaving Everyone & Everything I’ve Ever Known

I think I’ve experienced every emotion possible in the last couple of weeks leading to my departure. Thankfully, God’s surpassing peace has calmed many of my fears, but my fears of loneliness, failure, and being in my panic zone too often sometimes creep up on me. At the same time, I’m incredibly excited and overjoyed about Greece! I keep researching places I want to visit, events happening in Athens and my school, more information about the culture, tips for studying abroad, etc., etc. And with all that, I still don’t feel ready! I’m stressed about finishing my to-do list and packing my life in a suitcase. Then, I’m a little angry at myself for not being more intentional with my time at home with my family. When I finally have meaningful time with them, I’m sad and crying because I realize I won’t see them for a while. Like I said, all the emotions.

15% – Questions about the Unknown

What will my airport and flying experience be like (I haven’t flown since I was 10!)?
Will I get along well with the girls living in my apartment?
Am I going to make friends I can travel with?
Can I succeed in traveling alone?
How in the world will I navigate public transportation?
What will my classes be like?
Is this going to be like anything I’m expecting?

10% – My Study Abroad in Greece Knowledge & Expectations

Compared to the many questions I have, I know a few things about what’s to come. I will be taking four courses at the American College of Greece. All my classes are taught in English, but I have been brushing up on my limited knowledge of Greek with my good friend Duolingo. I will live with eight girls in an apartment a few blocks from the college, and I’ll have one roommate. I expect to grow relationships with people from all different backgrounds and cultures. By adapting to situations outside my comfort zone, I expect to become more independent, confident, and resilient.

10% – My Goals

I have written two goals for my study abroad experience that encompasses much of what I’ve dissected for you from my brain:

Develop self-confidence and independency by experiencing new things, organizing a routine for self-care and being in God’s Word daily, and traveling around Greece and Europe by myself.
Increase my understanding of cultural general and specific frameworks by participating in intercultural learning opportunities and intentionally reflecting on these experiences.

Stay tuned this semester to get more of an inside look at what it is like to study and live in Athens!

Morgan