Alumni Interview with Karen Bazakos

What inspired you to go abroad?

I am Greek, therefore I always wanted to live in Greece for some part of my life. This influenced me to study abroad in Greece, and ultimately led me to choose Webster Athens. In addition, I have family that lives in and around Athens, which also inspired me to choose Athens as the area that I wanted to study abroad in. I wanted to learn more about my family's culture, meet my relatives and new people. I wanted to learn more of the language, gain global experience, grow as a person, and become more independent. By studying in Athens, I was able to do all of that.

Why did you choose webster athens?

I chose Webster Athens because it is located right in the heart of Athens. Because it is in the Plaka, I knew I would have a million different things to do all the time. In addition, the apartments are less than a 5 minute walk from the school, which is convenient when you're in a new country that you're not familiar with. The great location was the number one reason for me. The second biggest reason why I chose Webster Athens was because of the amazing excursions that were included in the program. These excursions gave me the ability to explore more of Greece, and learn about its history.

What was your favorite part about athens, greece ?

My favorite part about my Greece was how beautiful it was. Not only was it physically beautiful, but the food and culture was beautiful as well. I never got bored of the food, and still miss it today. The people in Greece were so warm and welcoming, which can be hard to find at times in Europe. Living in such a historic city and country was quite the experience. In addition, being able to quickly travel to other places in Greece was amazing. I was able to take a flight under an hour long to some of the country's most beautiful islands, where I made some of my best memories.

What made your experience abroad extraordinary?

I absolutely loved learning more about my family's culture and being able to experience it. It was amazing to meet some of my family members for the first time as well. Being able to live in the country that my family came from was something I will never forget. In addition, I loved taking Greek Cuisine classes at Webster Athens. During the class, I got to learn new Greek recipes that I had never tried before. Furthermore, I got to learn how to make some of my favorite Greek dishes, such as loukoumades. Taking those classes was one of my favorite parts of being in the program. Other classes that made my experience extraordinary were the Greek language classes. I had a lot of fun taking those classes and am grateful for the Greek that I learned.

How did local staff support you throughout your program?

The local staff helped me with my school work, with my personal life when I got sick, with issues in my apartment, and they gave me advice for traveling and recommendations of things to do. The Webster Athens' staff was willing to help with everything. For instance, in the beginning of the program we were given a booklet that guided us on many things we were going to need help with. This booklet was extremely helpful for many different reasons, it helped to make the transition of being in a new country smoother. In addition, the staff took our group on tours of the city to help us get familiar with the surrounding area. The staff was very supportive during my whole stay in Athens.

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

I wish I explored Athens and the rest of Greece more. I should have taken more advantage of all the additional things I could have experienced while I was there. There are different forms of transportation in Greece that students can take to get to other parts of the country quickly and for not a lot of money. I wish I had taken advantage of that and visited many different parts of Greece. The great thing about the country is that each area offers something unique, therefore your experience in each part is totally different. To any incoming students, I would recommend visiting as much of Greece as you can!

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

I would go to class, relax, explore the city, eat food at home or go to a restaurant, do some homework, and hang out with friends. When I would explore the city, I would usually walk everywhere. Not only was this great exercise, but walking allowed me to truly experience all the different parts of the city. With an array of restaurants and bakeries nearby, I would try new food establishments as much as I could. Classes were usually fun and interactive, since I took Greek language classes, a Greek Cuisine course, and a Community Service class where I got to volunteer at a refugee center and at a sea turtle rescue shelter.

What did you enjoy doing during your free time abroad?

I explored Athens with my friends, tried different restaurants, experienced the nightlife, visited the historical sites, and traveled to different European countries and Greek islands. I loved when I got to visit different European countries on the weekends, because I got to go to places I had never been before. During my time abroad, I got to visit Italy, France, and Spain, in addition to other places in Greece. In each of these places, I made sure to try the traditional food of the country to try having an authentic experience. In addition, I visited the popular historical sites in each of these places as well.

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

I chose to pay extra to live in an apartment with only one other person. I really liked that I wasn't living with a lot of people because I was able to have my own bedroom, which gave me the privacy I wanted. The apartment was different from those that I was used to in the US, but I quickly adapted. In addition, I liked how I was in an apartment that had a kitchen because I love to cook and bake! Having a different living condition than what I was used to allowed me to appreciate how people in other countries live.

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

Do your research, be prepared, and listen to Webster Athens' advice. The school knows what is best for you, so make sure to listen to them. Have patience while you learn the new area and how to navigate it, but also remember to explore. You'll never regret going out and experiencing things! You'll only regret the things you didn't do when you had the chance to. Experience things with the people that you enjoy being around. Don't be afraid to try things that are out of your comfort zone! Just enjoy yourself and have fun, but be safe!

Would you recommend webster athens to others? why?

I would absolutely recommend this program to others. The staff at Webster Athens becomes a part of your family while you're there. They are so nice and helpful, and only want you to have the best experience. Being surrounded by people who care that much really makes a difference. I will always have a special place in my heart for Webster Athens and all the people I’ve met through their study abroad program. Even though the program is on the smaller side, you will get more individual attention and be cared for as if you're one of their own.

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

I think the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is learning about your host country and other countries' cultures. 

Experiencing cultures besides your own is one of the greatest gifts you can be given. 

Being able to see how other people live is truly incredible. By participating in the surrounding community through community service programs, I was able to learn more about Greece's culture, but also the culture of others, such as refugees that were in Greece. This experience gave me a different outlook on life, and one that I will always appreciate.

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

My time abroad has impacted my life greatly. Every time I'm asked what the best part of going to college was, I say when I studied abroad at Webster Athens. In addition, I have a better understanding of other cultures and what goes on outside of the United States. I constantly miss Greece, which feels like my second home. I cannot wait until I can go back again one day, which I hope is very soon! Studying abroad has forever changed my life in the best way possible, and the memories I made and the love I have for Greece will always be with me.

What does meaningful travel mean to you?

Meaningful travel means to me being able to travel somewhere and have an amazing experience that you will always remember, which is exactly what I had when I studied abroad at Webster Athens. It's not just traveling to a place and enjoying the sun and beaches, it's learning about a new culture, meeting new people, and most importantly growing as a person. Meaningful travel is when you're learning new things that will be important and impactful in your life. This type of travel changes you as a person.