One Month in Greece: The Reality of Studying Abroad

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at U Mich chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

When people talk about studying abroad, it always sounds effortless. You get to discover new cities, make instant friendships, and go on perfectly curated adventures. But after studying abroad in Greece for a month, I’ve realized that the reality is a lot messier and a lot more meaningful. The small frustrations, wrong turns, and slow adjustments are just as much a part of being abroad as the beautiful views.

The “Five-Minute Walk” Myth

Athens is a beautiful city, but it’s also built entirely on hills. Every “quick walk” somehow turns into a high-intensity leg workout, and every time I think I’ve mastered the route somewhere, I find a new staircase that wasn’t there before. I’ve accepted that Google Maps lies and getting lost is part of my daily routine.

The Slow Life (and Slower Wi-Fi)

Coming from the United States where everyone is always in a rush, it took some time for me to adjust to the Greek pace. In Athens, coffee is not something you grab on the go, it’s a one to two hour affair. The first week, I was constantly checking my phone like something was supposed to happen. Now, I’ve learned to let time stretch out. There’s something nice about not being constantly on a deadline—even if the Wi-Fi in my apartment sometimes joins in on the “slow life” mindset.

The Not-So-Glamorous Side

There are moments that aren’t postcard-worthy. Grocery shopping when you can’t read the labels, missing home-cooked meals, trying to explain your laundry situation in very limited and broken Greek. While it’s tiring having to figure out basic routines again, it makes small moments like ordering food without pointing somehow feel extra satisfying.

What Actually Sticks

Sure, I’ve seen incredible places and taken way too many photos of sunsets. But what’s mattered more has been all the in-between moments: laughing with my roommates on a random Tuesday night, chatting with locals who somehow know where you are from just by your accent, and realizing just how fast a new place can start to feel familiar.

One month in, Greece still surprises me every day. I don’t always know what I’m doing, but I am starting to think that’s kind of the point. The real study abroad experience? It’s less about perfect Instagram posts and more about learning how to live somewhere new, one wrong turn at a time.