G>↑↓ – Study Abroad

You may have seen these symbols in this order before. G>↑↓ means “God (G) is greater than (>) the highs (↑) and the lows (↓).” It resembles Romans 8:39. I’ve always loved this simple reminder that nothing can separate me from the love of Christ, but it’s been evermore in my mind since I embarked on my Greek adventure ten days ago.

The moments before my departure to the O’Hare airport in Chicago were very emotional. I was nervous about flying because I wasn’t confident about navigating the airport and whether my luggage would meet the requirements. I was scared to travel to another country alone and live there for the next four months. I was sad to leave my parents at the security checkpoint as I gave them one final hug before I was on my own. Finally starting a study abroad adventure is truly exciting, but in those moments, it didn’t quite feel like it. However, I knew God was with me, and this brought me comfort. He is greater than the lows.

After successfully going through security and immigration at the airport, my nerves started to fade. I started to feel that excitement about my adventure again. At the O’Hare and Frankfurt, Germany airports, I even met a few students from various states in the U.S. who were also headed to Athens to study. It was nice to talk with people who were feeling the same way I was. Once I reached the Athens airport, I met with my International Studies Abroad (ISA) group and our program managers, who are incredibly kind and helpful. We then took a coach bus to the residential buildings in my neighborhood of Agia Paraskevi, just outside Athens.

My initial impressions of Greece in the first ten days are the following:

“It’s so warm and sunny! This is amazing!” The temperature has been averaging high 50s degrees Fahrenheit during the day and about high 40s when the sun goes down. Basically, it feels like a Midwest spring, but there’s hardly any wind. The local Greeks are wearing heavy jackets. They find it unbelievable when I tell them what the weather is like in New Ulm.
“The MOUNTAINS!” I knew Greece was mountainous, but I didn’t expect to have a gorgeous view of them every morning outside my kitchen window (see picture below). The neighborhoods of Athens surround all sides of these mountains.
“Everyone is so welcoming and nice.” The Greek people I interact with in the residential buildings, the supermarkets, and stores, on public transportation, and my professors, school staff, and local students are very kind. From my experience, they are patient, extremely laid back, and interested in learning more about you. Almost everyone I’ve talked to knows English, and almost all signs and labels (not items in the grocery store, however. Google Translate is my best friend) have the English name written below the Greek name. I’ve been learning and using common Greek greetings such as “Γεια σου” (“hello”), “ευχαριστώ” (“thank you”), “Παρακαλώ” (“please” or “you’re welcome”), and “καλημέρα” (“good morning”), which they greatly appreciate.
“There are cats. Everywhere.” It is very common to see a friendly stray cat, even at my school. I’ve heard Athens is cat heaven because they’re very well taken care of and fed frequently by the locals.
“Greek driving is a bit scary.” Greeks, generally speaking, like to take things slow in almost everything except for driving. They drive extremely fast, even on residential roads. You must look both ways, ahead of you and behind you, and then look everywhere again before you cross the street. Cars appear quickly. I took a taxi one of my first days here, and I was constantly making sure my seatbelt was tight while the driver sped through Athens.
“I could consume souvlaki (gyros), tzatziki (a Greek, yogurt-based dip), tiropita (“Greek cheese pie” basically baked feta cheese drizzled in honey), and freddo cappuccino (iced cappuccino coffee served sweet, medium sweet, or no sugar) all day.” Greek food and coffee are absolutely amazing (and cheap)!

This past Saturday, my ISA group participated in an all-day excursion in downtown Athens. We learned many interesting facts about ancient Greece at the Acropolis Museum, visited the archeological site of the Acropolis, explored the beautiful neighborhood of Plaka, and watched the sunset on top of Philopappos Hill. When first seeing the Acropolis from Monastiraki Square and taking in all of Athens from the sites above, it felt incredibly surreal that I was standing there, taking in God’s creation. I had dreamed about those moments for months, and they were happening. Yet, I remember God is greater than these highs. All honor, glory, praise, and thanks to God, whose gracious love I will never be separated from, no matter where I am.

Morgan