Anna Kinsman, from Grand Rapids, Michigan, is an MSU junior who is majoring in Graphic Design. She traveled to Greece this summer for the American College of Greece study abroad program and wrote about her experience in the following article.

When everyone thinks of studying abroad, I am sure there is this preconceived idea in their heads about what the experience entails. Myself, on the other hand, I had no idea what to expect. I had never been out of the country before, and I knew not a single other person who was going to be in the program.

I made an oath to myself that my experience was not going to be an average adventure. I stayed for only one month and wasn’t going to let a second go to waste.

Traveling across the Greek Islands made the experience truly unique. So many crazy ferry rides hopping from island to island. Planning out all the little details we wanted on our weekend trips. Trying to check off things on each person’s bucket list while being on a budget was definitely a challenge, but we made it work in the end.

One of my craziest stories was when we missed our ferry by one minute! That same day, I had food poisoning and threw up right before we got into our uber to drive to the port. That was truly sad for me, not because of our travel chaos but because I loved the food so much in Greece, I couldn’t bear to have to take a break from eating gyros that day.

I ended up learning more about the culture and life in Greece than I would have ever expected, and only in a month’s time, nonetheless. Though, it took some time to settle in at first.

“I made an oath to myself that my experience was not going to be an average adventure. I stayed for only one month and wasn’t going to let a second go to waste.

I remember constantly noticing all the differences in daily life between Greece and the United States. I regularly found myself saying the phrase, “I’m on Greek time.” I adjusted to the time difference easily and somehow got the most insane luck when my randomly assigned roommates (who were totally awesome) ended up being the two girls I would share my amazing adventure with.

My roommates and I had bonded so much together while on campus and traveling. When we walked to class together every morning, we would enjoy the long walk by having some good laughs and planning out trips for the weekend. We would stop by our favorite cafes or corner stores to grab a quick bite before class. Some days it was so hot outside that once we all got to our seats, we were more than ready to learn.

I enjoyed both courses I took. For my first class, I had the chance to explore Athens during field trips to several art museums. In my second class, I learned how to code games and make my own flappy bird app. I also was taught by two of the best professors I have had in my entire college experience.

I fully felt settled in after some time had gone by, and everything all at once just clicked. I had checked a lifelong goal off my bucket list. I could even picture myself exploring a career abroad now.

I loved how nice and understanding the locals were to us students. I have so many memories and laughs I will never forget whilst meeting new friends from the other side of the world.

I told my parents on a phone call once, “You have created a monster, because now that I’ve had a taste of what it’s like abroad; I’m only just going to keep coming back.”

It might sound cheesy, but by my last week, I had never felt freer and happier in my life. I didn’t want to leave the little slice of paradise with all my new favorite friends and places.

Athens was more than I could have ever imagined it to be. I adored the chaotic train rides downtown, the random adventures to get some late-night gelato, the hunts we went on to find secret beaches, sporadic shopping trips with the neighbors. I was not ready for my adventure to end.

It is bittersweet looking back on my time studying abroad, because I know nothing can ever be recreated to be as perfect. Though I have a sacred spot for the program, I know I will only find myself returning someday in the future and sharing it with others as it had once been shared with me.

This article originally was published on the Office for Education Abroad website.