Final Blog Post

My first year of college was very unconventional, to say the least. My college journey started across the globe in Thessaloniki, Greece, and ended full circle back at home in self-isolation taking online courses. Going abroad was an experience I will never forget. I met some of the best people who I will be friends with for life and got to travel to amazing places with them. I learned how to live independently in a foreign country where English was not the first language and make my way across the globe by myself. Coming back to Boston, was another change. I had to adjust back to the American lifestyle, and learn about Northeastern campus life. Whether it was learning about my different sponsors of literacy or connecting with students at the EMK, I learned so much in and outside the classroom. 

I will always remember the different places I traveled to during my freshman year. I got to witness so many new and exciting places, meet new people, and learn what it is like to be a student in another country. I will always remember what it was like to see the Eiffel tower for the first time or walk around the white roundhouses in Santorini. In Boston, I will always remember my “firsts” as a Northeastern student. The first time living on my own in Boston, going to class and going to my first hockey game, and my first night going out with my college friends in the city. 

If there was one thing I learned this year, it is that change is good. Before leaving for Greece, I was so nervous about living in a new country with a group of people I had never met before. I was constantly wondering whether or not I was going to meet friends or if I was going to like the food over there or if I was going to get the chance to travel to all the places I wanted to see. Moving back to Boston I had similar worries. Was I going to like living on campus, am I going to make new friends, was I going to like the food, was I going to like it at Northeastern? What I quickly realized was that all those worries quickly went away. By the time I got to Greece or by the time I arrived at Northeastern, I was focused on all the new opportunities presented to me, I eventually forgot everything I was worried about. I had the time of my life abroad and the best time on campus. Now, instead of being nervous about new changes, I know how to embrace change with an open mind and attitude. I am less afraid of being independent and being on my own, trying new things, and traveling new places. In fact, the best things that have happened to me this year have been a result of me taking chances and making change. 

Being back home with my family has been refreshing but there are a lot of things I miss. I miss being able to see my best friends every day. This is definitely the biggest one. They are the people I do almost everything with on campus and it is difficult not seeing them for so long. I can’t even see my friends from home either, which makes quarantine even more difficult. I also miss living independently on campus and having more time to myself. I really enjoyed being on my own schedule and doing things on my time, which is not something I can do at home. Regardless, all of us have to do our part in ending the pandemic which will hopefully end as soon as possible. I have had an amazing year with all of you, and I hope you guys have a great summer!!