Alumni Interview with Alexandria Adle

What inspired you to travel abroad? 

Way before I started studying at Albion College, I knew I wanted to travel and learn about the world outside my hometown bubble. At Albion, it seemed to be common that students went abroad and that it was easy to do so. I knew I wanted to go abroad, but the where and when wasn't exactly set yet. As I went through the motions of school until I figured out what exactly it was I wanted to do, I started looking for programs that offered courses in my major. I also began to become very antsy to get out of college town, hometown (well, really I wanted to get out of the country in general). I knew there was more to see and learn beyond what I was exposed to everyday. It was a now or never situation for me, so when the opportunity presented itself, I took it. 

Why did you choose The American College of Thessaloniki (ACT)? 

I needed to find a program that was offered in the summer of 2018 and had computer science courses. The American College of Thessaloniki was a perfect match. It was a bonus that I had always wanted to go to Greece and that my family is Greek, so I grew up around the culture and was excited to immerse myself in it.

What was your favorite part about Greece? 

Definitely the local residents I met. Every single one of them was kind, generous, and welcoming.

I remember one day, near the end of my time abroad, I took the wrong bus route and ended up in the mountains - a three-hour walk from my apartment. I had no cell service and every bus driver who came to the bus stop told me to wait for the next bus. Eventually, a bus came that let me on (after about two hours), and I was finally on my way home. I got off at a stop that was a 20-minute walk from my apartment. On my walk back, I stopped at cafe to get a Freddo (sort of like an iced cappuccino) and ended up having a very in-depth three-hour conversation with the barista working there. I think maybe she could tell I was a little frazzled, so she gave me a drink for free and kept me company for a little while. It was a series of unfortunate events that turned around because of the kindness she showed me. 

What made your experience abroad extraordinary? 

This study abroad experience turned into so much more than taking classes in another country. I had so much time to be alone in a non-melancholy way. I took this trip up all on my own and had to manage myself through multiple airports across the world. I met so many people along the way by making excursions in the city by myself, and I spent a lot of time in self-reflection about the experiences I was having while in Greece. I had felt like I was relying too much on others at home and vice-versa, so it was both refreshing and powerful to me to have the opportunity to be completely myself. 

How did the local program staff support you throughout your program? 

In the first week, a professor at the college taught us some Greek to help us get around the city. We were also provided with a list of must-do's in Thessaloniki from our Resident Assistants. Our apartment buildings were put in personal group chats with the RA's so that anyone could get information and help from each other whenever we needed, but it was also a good way to make plans with everyone. They also took us on tours through the city and showed us the best places to buy groceries and goodies. 

What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad? 

I wish I would've spent more time exploring the historical sites of the city, looking at the architecture and art on the buildings and doodling them, so I would have a clearer memory of what I experienced rather than an iPhone photo. There's also a neighborhood in the east side of the city that I wish I would've spent more time in because they had all kinds of bakeries and boutiques, and there was a huge farmer's market that I only saw a glimpse of. 

Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like. 

Well, Monday through Thursday I'd wake up at 7:30 a.m. or 8 a.m. to get ready for class and catch the 9 a.m. bus. After school, we'd head into the downtown area to grab a bite to eat and walk around the shops or boardwalk, where we'd spend most of our night. I think by the end of the trip we walked a good 50-60% of the streets of Thessaloniki. Sometimes we'd make our way to the farmer's market by our apartment building and get fresh fruit or veggies. On the weekends, our program offered excursions to various historical sites around Greece, so I always took those opportunities.

What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad? 

In my free time, I would either walk around my neighborhood or I'd take a bus into the city and walk through the shops. Sometimes I'd go on the roof of the apartment building and enjoy the view. 

What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it? 

We lived in apartments in a neighborhood outside of the city. The building was also occupied by local residents, so we would run into them every once and a while and they were very nice. I liked that we lived in apartments over residing in dorms because it was more immersive and made me feel more like a resident rather than a tourist. 

What is one thing every future participant should know about your program? 

They should know that the classes are very manageable if you organize your study/work time right. They should also keep finances in mind, but this is true for any study abroad program. I would not go and expect to spend a very little amount, because the conversion rates can surprise you. While you can manage to get around without spending a whole lot, it's worth it to be comfortable in the case of an emergency. 

Would you recommend ACT to other students? Why? 

Yes! Greece is a super welcoming country and so, so beautiful. Everyone I met who worked for ACT was helpful and interesting and full of insight. I wouldn't have changed my experience for anything. 

What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is? 

It may be cliche to say but it's very eye-opening, especially if you haven't been out of your home country before. I saw the differences and similarities between Greece and America that I hadn't put much thought into before. 

Now that you're home, how has your time in Greece impacted your life? 

For one, I can impress people with my knowledge of Greek language and culture. But I can also reflect on the similarities and difference between Greek and American culture, and use that knowledge to understand the society I'm surrounded by better. 

What does meaningful travel mean to you? 

I believe that this refers to how you choose to experience your time abroad. You can choose to be close-minded and ignore the practices of the people from the place you're visiting, or you can open yourself up to them and be completely vulnerable for the opportunities you may come across. The latter will be so much more beneficial for you personally.