{"id":1244,"date":"2023-01-19T18:29:42","date_gmt":"2023-01-19T18:29:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/?p=1244"},"modified":"2023-01-19T18:29:48","modified_gmt":"2023-01-19T18:29:48","slug":"g%e2%86%91%e2%86%93","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/2023\/01\/19\/g%e2%86%91%e2%86%93\/","title":{"rendered":"G&gt;\u2191\u2193"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>You may have seen these symbols in this order before. G&gt;\u2191\u2193 means \u201cGod (G) is greater than (&gt;) the highs (\u2191) and the lows (\u2193).\u201d It resembles Romans 8:39. I\u2019ve always loved this simple reminder that nothing can separate me from the love of Christ, but it\u2019s been evermore in my mind since I embarked on my Greek adventure ten days ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The moments before my departure to the O\u2019Hare airport in Chicago were very emotional. I was nervous about flying because I wasn\u2019t 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\u2019t quite feel like it. However, I knew God was with me, and this brought me comfort. He is greater than the lows.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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\u2019Hare 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.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My initial impressions of Greece in the first ten days are the following:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>\u201cIt\u2019s so warm and sunny! This is amazing!\u201d<\/strong> 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\u2019s 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.<\/li><li><strong>\u201cThe MOUNTAINS!\u201d <\/strong>I knew Greece was mountainous, but I didn\u2019t 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.&nbsp;<\/li><li><strong>\u201cEveryone is so welcoming and nice.\u201d<\/strong> 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\u2019ve 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\u2019ve been learning and using common Greek greetings such as \u201c\u0393\u03b5\u03b9\u03b1 \u03c3\u03bf\u03c5\u201d (\u201chello\u201d),&nbsp; \u201c\u03b5\u03c5\u03c7\u03b1\u03c1\u03b9\u03c3\u03c4\u03ce\u201d (\u201cthank you\u201d), \u201c\u03a0\u03b1\u03c1\u03b1\u03ba\u03b1\u03bb\u03ce\u201d (\u201cplease\u201d or \u201cyou\u2019re welcome\u201d), and&nbsp; \u201c\u03ba\u03b1\u03bb\u03b7\u03bc\u03ad\u03c1\u03b1\u201d (\u201cgood morning\u201d), which they greatly appreciate.&nbsp;<\/li><li><strong>\u201cThere are cats. Everywhere.\u201d<\/strong> It is very common to see a friendly stray cat, even at my school. I\u2019ve heard Athens is cat heaven because they\u2019re very well taken care of and fed frequently by the locals.&nbsp;<\/li><li><strong>\u201cGreek driving is a bit scary.\u201d<\/strong> 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.&nbsp;<\/li><li><strong>\u201cI could consume souvlaki<\/strong> (gyros), <strong>tzatziki<\/strong> (a Greek, yogurt-based dip), <strong>tiropita<\/strong> (\u201cGreek cheese pie\u201d basically baked feta cheese drizzled in honey), <strong>and freddo cappuccino<\/strong> (iced cappuccino coffee served sweet, medium sweet, or no sugar)<strong> all day.\u201d<\/strong> Greek food and coffee are absolutely amazing (and cheap)!&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Morgan<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\" style=\"flex-basis:100%\">\n<div class=\"wp-container-1 wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\" style=\"flex-basis:100%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-tiled-gallery is-style-square\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__gallery\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__row columns-2\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/files\/2023\/01\/IMG_4271-1030x773.jpeg?resize=600,600&#038;strip=info 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/files\/2023\/01\/IMG_4271-1030x773.jpeg?resize=900,900&#038;strip=info 900w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/files\/2023\/01\/IMG_4271-1030x773.jpeg?resize=1200,1200&#038;strip=info 1200w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/files\/2023\/01\/IMG_4271-1030x773.jpeg?resize=1500,1500&#038;strip=info 1500w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/files\/2023\/01\/IMG_4271-1030x773.jpeg?resize=1800,1800&#038;strip=info 1800w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/files\/2023\/01\/IMG_4271-1030x773.jpeg?resize=1920,1920&#038;strip=info 1920w\" alt=\"\" data-height=\"1920\" data-id=\"1245\" data-link=\"https:\/\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/?attachment_id=1245\" data-url=\"http:\/\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/files\/2023\/01\/IMG_4271-1030x773.jpeg\" data-width=\"2560\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/files\/2023\/01\/IMG_4271-1030x773.jpeg?resize=1920%2C1920\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img srcset=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/files\/2023\/01\/IMG_4472-773x1030.jpeg?resize=600,600&#038;strip=info 600w,https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/files\/2023\/01\/IMG_4472-773x1030.jpeg?resize=900,900&#038;strip=info 900w,https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/files\/2023\/01\/IMG_4472-773x1030.jpeg?resize=1200,1200&#038;strip=info 1200w,https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/files\/2023\/01\/IMG_4472-773x1030.jpeg?resize=1500,1500&#038;strip=info 1500w,https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/files\/2023\/01\/IMG_4472-773x1030.jpeg?resize=1800,1800&#038;strip=info 1800w,https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/files\/2023\/01\/IMG_4472-773x1030.jpeg?resize=1920,1920&#038;strip=info 1920w\" alt=\"\" data-height=\"2560\" data-id=\"1247\" data-link=\"https:\/\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/?attachment_id=1247\" data-url=\"http:\/\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/files\/2023\/01\/IMG_4472-773x1030.jpeg\" data-width=\"1920\" src=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/files\/2023\/01\/IMG_4472-773x1030.jpeg?resize=1920%2C1920\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\" \/><\/figure><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__row columns-2\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img srcset=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/files\/2023\/01\/IMG_4498-2-773x1030.jpeg?resize=600,600&#038;strip=info 600w,https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/files\/2023\/01\/IMG_4498-2-773x1030.jpeg?resize=900,900&#038;strip=info 900w,https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/files\/2023\/01\/IMG_4498-2-773x1030.jpeg?resize=1200,1200&#038;strip=info 1200w,https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/files\/2023\/01\/IMG_4498-2-773x1030.jpeg?resize=1500,1500&#038;strip=info 1500w,https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/files\/2023\/01\/IMG_4498-2-773x1030.jpeg?resize=1800,1800&#038;strip=info 1800w,https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/files\/2023\/01\/IMG_4498-2-773x1030.jpeg?resize=1920,1920&#038;strip=info 1920w\" alt=\"\" data-height=\"2560\" data-id=\"1251\" data-link=\"https:\/\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/?attachment_id=1251\" data-url=\"http:\/\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/files\/2023\/01\/IMG_4498-2-773x1030.jpeg\" data-width=\"1920\" src=\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/files\/2023\/01\/IMG_4498-2-773x1030.jpeg?resize=1920%2C1920\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img srcset=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/files\/2023\/01\/IMG_4647-1-773x1030.jpeg?resize=600,600&#038;strip=info 600w,https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/files\/2023\/01\/IMG_4647-1-773x1030.jpeg?resize=900,900&#038;strip=info 900w,https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/files\/2023\/01\/IMG_4647-1-773x1030.jpeg?resize=1200,1200&#038;strip=info 1200w,https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/files\/2023\/01\/IMG_4647-1-773x1030.jpeg?resize=1500,1500&#038;strip=info 1500w,https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/files\/2023\/01\/IMG_4647-1-773x1030.jpeg?resize=1800,1800&#038;strip=info 1800w,https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/files\/2023\/01\/IMG_4647-1-773x1030.jpeg?resize=1920,1920&#038;strip=info 1920w\" alt=\"\" data-height=\"2560\" data-id=\"1250\" data-link=\"https:\/\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/?attachment_id=1250\" data-url=\"http:\/\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/files\/2023\/01\/IMG_4647-1-773x1030.jpeg\" data-width=\"1920\" src=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/files\/2023\/01\/IMG_4647-1-773x1030.jpeg?resize=1920%2C1920\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\" \/><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>You may have seen these symbols in this order before. G&gt;\u2191\u2193 means \u201cGod (G) is greater than (&gt;) the highs (\u2191) and the lows (\u2193).\u201d It resembles Romans 8:39. I\u2019ve always loved this simple reminder that nothing can separate me from the love of Christ, but it\u2019s been evermore in my mind since I embarked [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":38,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spay_email":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true},"categories":[23],"tags":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7Lhdr-k4","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1244"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/38"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1244"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1244\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1256,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1244\/revisions\/1256"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1244"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1244"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.mlc-wels.edu\/study-abroad\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1244"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}