I love school. Currently, I’m a double major with a double minor because I just keep taking classes ‘for fun.’ I’m certainly getting my money's worth. Studying - While Studying Abroad When I tell people that I’m studying abroad, one of the first questions they ask me is: “What are you studying?” Now, if you’ve read my first couple of posts you’ll know the answer is more or less, “Um, is world travels the correct answer…?” But since answering a question with another question isn’t generally considered polite, I usually respond with, “Sea sailing.” Because, basically, I’m not really planning on ‘studying’ anything while in Greece. Classes Can Be FUN! I fully intend to have fun while abroad, both through meeting new people, trying new foods, traveling to historical places and crawling through museums all across Europe. I also plan to have a grand old time while earning my education (not that I actually expect any of the credits to count. But whatever, like #Europe). While I’m in Greece I will be taking 12 credits: communication research methods, history of Ancient Greece, photography and intro to sea sailing. I’ve thrilled about each and every credit. Sea Sailing I’m a Nebraska girl. If you don’t know where Nebraska is, look at a map of the US and stick your thumb on the very center. That’s Nebraska. If you’ll also notice, it’s completely landlocked. So, where else is a Nebraska girl going to learn how to sail a sea boat other than on the Mediterranean? Side note: I’m left handed and the last time I drove a speed boat the propeller had to be replaced … so I’ll keep you all updated on how this whole sailing thing goes. Photography I love taking pictures. I have an entire section of my website dedicated to my love of photography. {Shameless advertising} Click here to check out some of my photos!I thought that a photography class would be a nice way to visually highlight my study abroad experience; I have a nice camera that I saved up for a few summers back before a trip to Mexico that will be my trusted companion. Since I’m also blogging my adventure, I thought a photography class would be able to teach me how to actually use said expensive camera beyond pointing and shooting. History of Ancient Greece As part of my college curriculum, I’ve electively taken several history classes. In fact, I’ve taken so many that I’m now earning a history minor. Because that is what you do in college, electively choose to take ‘fun’ classes like Ancient Mediterranean History and History of the Colonization of Latin America, right? I’ve always love history. Since I was super little I dressed up as a Medieval lady, a princess and even a Greek goddess one Halloween. My toys reflected my adoration for past eras. I especially loved American girl dolls because the stories of the girls throughout American history. I’ve also always been an avid reader. History books, mythology books and just books in general completed my childhood. (If you’ve ever taken a history class then you know that they’re basically made up of three parts: lecture, papers and endless books that you’re required to read during your ‘free’ time.) Fortunately, I enjoy history, reading and writing papers. Therefore, history of Ancient Greece is one of the classes I’m most excited to attend. Communication Research Methods I’m also taking communication research methods. I discovered last fall during the required public relations research class at Iowa State that I actually enjoy research. Then, this fall, I took the required research methods class for my psychology minor. Low and behold, still really like research. I also love meeting people from other cultures and backgrounds as well as understanding how those people think based on different upbringings. I plan to attend graduate school directly after graduation from Iowa State next spring. A possible field I’m considering specializing in is international public relations research. I’m hoping that my communication research class will further expose me to international communication styles and research. Greece, Here I Come If you haven’t figured it out by now, I’m a giant nerd and very proud of it. I can’t wait to take my nerd-dom on the road and fulfill my desire to learn from new sources and perspectives while in Greece. Coming up next week: Shopping for a Study Abroad ProgramFriendliness, good fortune and my own personal brand of gregariousness often allow me to accomplish things others deem impossible. Entering the Consulate It is 9:40 AM and after making a pit stop at a near by ATM, I’m ready to meet the Greek consulate. I approach the door, and unfortunately for me, it’s started to rain again. I ring the bell and the door starts buzzing. Eagerly I pull … and nothing. I can’t get it open. The door continues to buzz as I pull on it before backing away in confusion. Nearby, another man seems to be waiting as well. A second man walks up and ask me, “Did you ring the bell?” “Yup, but I can’t get the door open.” Right then the door begins buzzing once more and he reaches out and … pushes the door open. “Oh,” I say as I enter because, like a gentleman, he allowed me to enter first before he and his friend follow me inside. A Greek official greets the two men and their female friend in Greek as they begin discussing paperwork or something. As time passes, two other women come and go from the room all speaking in a language unlike anything I’ve ever heard before. As I sit listening, I’m nearly overwhelmed with my first experience being surrounded by Greek culture and language. Hearing the different sounds and seeing the Greek constitution in Greek lettering beside the same document in English was eye opening. It made me realize what a culture shock it will be when I actually arrive in Thessaloniki. Meeting with the Consulate I wait for about forty minutes before a tall man in a suit calls my name and escorts me to a tiny elevator. We ride up to the top floor and I dutifully hand over all of the requested papers as he asks for them. He points me down a hallway where I pay, in cash that I obtained about five minutes before entering his building, for my visa. The man with the giant safe was beyond pleased that I had almost exact change for the $95.40 visa fee. He smiled as he handed me back a dime before shooing me back to the consulate. The consulate took my photo and then I escorted myself out of the building. [For those of you who are curious about exactly what materials are necessary to obtain your student Greek visa, click on the link below.] Leaving the Greek Consulate Now, you may be thinking that everything went smoothly up to this point. But I assure you that it was anything but smooth. For example, I had forgotten I needed cash and had originally only brought about $60 and some change – that problem was solved fairly quickly with a quick Google search and an ATM card. However, problem number two was that I had forgotten to print off my itinerary. Fortunately, I had a copy on my phone and the consulate had me email it to him right then and there. It was kind of fun to hand the Greek consulate my iPhone as he can check to make sure I hadn’t spelled his email wrong – and for the record I had. My final problem was that – while I had brought a self-addressed envelope for my passport to be returned – I instead needed a self-addressed UPS envelope. This problem was solved easily enough due to my prior planning. As I left the consulate building, I texted my friend the taxi driver. He was waiting outside and drove me several blocks over and agreed to wait for me – without running the timer – as I ran inside and bought an envelope. Ten minutes later I dash back outside and he drives me back to the consulate building. This time I know to push the door after it buzzes. Leaving the Consulate ... Again I’m back in the taxi and my new friend rushes me to the airport so that I can catch my 1 PM flight. I breeze through security and plop into a chair near my gate. Not a single one of my friends from the Chicago area had any faith that I would make my flight. But I can tell you for certain, that I did indeed make it back in time to jump aboard my plan and return to Omaha. However, I can say for certainty that without my faithful friend, Mr. Taxi Driver, I would not have been able to leave the Greek consulate building in downtown Chicago after 11:15 AM and make it back to the airport an through security before my 1 PM flight started boarding. In Conclusion The stress was worth it. I am now the proud owner of a Greek visa! My favorite part, the picture on the opposite side foreshadows one of the classes I'm taking while in Greece. Until next week, I'll leave you to try and guess. Coming up next week: My Study Abroad Class Schedule |
AuthorMy name is Hunter and this the blog of my worldwide adventures. The purpose of this blog is to show that you can be a traveler, not just a tourist. Archives
March 2019
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