My name is Demi, I’m 21 years old, and currently a fourth-year student in International Business Administration. I have two courses left, after which I hope to finally earn my bachelor’s degree! Besides studying, I’m doing an internship and am a member of MAK, where I attend weekly committee meetings. Last year, I took advantage of the study abroad opportunities and spent September to December in Athens. In this blog, I’ll share my experiences!
Why Study Abroad?
From the moment I chose International Business Administration as my bachelor’s degree, I knew one thing for sure: in my third year, I would study abroad. I was confident in my decision. But as the months flew by and the time to apply grew closer, doubts started to creep in. Did I really want to be away for so long? Could I handle being on my own? I worried I might get terribly homesick, even though I’d never struggled with that before. The doubts piled up, but I reminded myself that I had wanted this for so long—why back out now?
In the weeks leading up to the application period, I spoke with many people around me. Everyone understood that it seemed daunting to go away for so long alone, but they also pointed out that this kind of opportunity doesn’t come around often. In the end, I realized that the chances I’d regret not going were higher than the changes I’d regret going. In another country, there’s so much to distract you: new impressions, new people, and new experiences. Time flies, and before you know it, you’re back in the Netherlands. After all, it’s “only” four months—what’s that in the span of a lifetime? After these considerations, I decided to go for it. And if it turned out to be a disaster, I could always catch the first flight home (though, of course, that wasn’t my plan).
Choosing a Destination
Once I made the decision to go, I started exploring the possible destinations. There were so many choices! It had always been my dream to go to the United States—to see what life is really like there and find out if it’s anything like the typical movies, with popular cheerleaders and enthusiastic sports teams. But destinations outside of Europe are often very popular, so I also looked into other options.
To help with this, I attended the Exchange Fair and read many Experience Reports. I concluded that Greece, Italy, and Spain appealed to me the most. I was looking for a university with a beautiful campus, a vibrant culture, and, preferably, good weather. My top choice ended up being Athens. The campus looked amazing, and Greece is already one of my favorite holiday destinations, so it seemed like a safe bet. Additionally, the university had mandatory housing in student dorms, so I didn’t have to worry about finding accommodation, which was a big relief.
My Time in Athens
Compared to my schedule in Tilburg, I suddenly had far fewer classes in Athens. This gave me plenty of time to explore the city and the country. I mainly did this with the three other girls from Tilburg who also went to Athens. While it’s great to enjoy the new environment, it’s sometimes comforting to chat in Dutch about what we experienced. In my classes, I was often the only international student among Greeks, which was a unique and fun experience. I lived with other study abroad students in the dorms, which made it super easy to meet new people! In October, I had visitors in Athens—my parents and my boyfriend. It was wonderful to see them again and exciting to show them around. They finally got to see the apartment where I stayed and the university I attended. When they left, it felt strange to stay behind in Athens, but I quickly got back into exploring with my group of friends, so there wasn’t much time to dwell on it.
It’s been over a year and a half since I found out I could spend a semester in Athens, and not a day goes by that I don’t think back to that fantastic time. I was very nervous about leaving the comfort of home, but looking back, I’m so glad I decided to go for it. Not only do you create amazing memories, but you also make new friends from around the world! To anyone who’s unsure, I’d wholeheartedly recommend stepping out of your comfort zone and going for it. You won’t regret it!