Final Reflections

Typing this post I feel the heaviest weight I've ever had to bear on my heart, but I also feel an overwhelming amount of joy. Studying abroad in Greece was the best decision I've ever made. I never would have been able to do it without the support and encouragement from my family and close friends though. Without them I'd be doing Lord knows what, wasting my life away in Jacksonville for the summer. But instead I'm reflecting on the most influential experience of my life. I find myself making blanket statements that still aren't big enough to encompass just how passionate I feel about this trip. Living and studying in Greece was a dream come true. I learned SO much and experienced SO many things that I can't quantify or put into words. I've made lifelong friendships and grown exponentially as a human being. The weight that I feel is a heavy burden to bear. I realize that this group was special and that this experience was unique and that this chapter in my life is coming to a close. This was my last chance to study abroad. It was my last desperate attempt to expand my horizons toward the end of a college experience that has been dull and one dimensional to date. It was a last ditch effort to feel free from the monotony of my daily routine. And it ended up being everything I expected and so much more. 

I also mentioned that overwhelming amount of joy, didn't I? That's because I've had the time of my life for 6 weeks and been amazed every day. I learned something new every day. I saw something new everyday. I challenged myself every day. And I am so thankful that I did. I feel like I couldn't have gotten any more out of this experience than I already did. I will board my flight in a few short hours with no regrets, even if I will have a heavy heart. Watching the mountainous landscape bleed away as our plane races back to reality, I think the full force of it all will come crashing down. But as sad as it will be to realize it's all over, when one door closes another opens. By challenging myself and taking this trip on, I feel like I have grown in ways that I never imagined could be possible for me. I feel more confident and empowered to change the things that seemed too difficult to change while I was stuck in the daily grind back home. I feel like I can meet new any new challenge and overcome it simply because I lived in another culture for over a month and survived. I took a leap of faith and landed on my own two feet. Shoot, it feels like I hit the ground running! It's hard to contain the enthusiasm that Greece has bestowed upon me. It's even more difficult to temper my expectations for the future. But I think I'll manage. 

And now I will cease my delirious ramblings and bid you all farewell. Thank you to everybody who has continually offered me support and love throughout this process. You all mean the world to me and have kept me afloat when the seas got choppy. And thank you for keeping up with my adventures, I hope you all enjoyed being a part of my Greek experience. Peace, love, and happiness from Nick the Greek! Adio!!!