My Study Abroad Journey:

As an undergrad at Susquehanna University, I am required to study abroad at some point during my education. Whether this be a few weeks during the summer or winter break or a full 14-week semester. Of course, being the impulsive person I am, the night before the deadline for applications to study abroad for a full semester I sat down and sent my application in. Out of what had to have been 30 programs all located in different countries, I impulsively decided my first choice would be to spend my spring semester of my third year of college at the University of Nicosia in Cyprus. Cyprus is a tiny island in the eastern mediterranean, known for having a rich history due to many different conquerors and subsequent architecture. Not to mention some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Cyprus sees clear skies and gorgeous sunshine nearly 300 days out of the year. While I was filling out my application last October, Cyprus seemed like heaven and I immediately knew this was where I wanted to go. As a lover of nature and a warm climate, why would I want to be anywhere else?

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Exactly one week ago I boarded my first-ever international flight and began the journey to Cyprus. I said bye to the States, tearfully hugged my parents, and made my way through security with my renewed passport in hand and an overwhelming sense of excitement and nervousness. I was high off the exhilaration of adventure and independence; seeing all the blank pages in front of me waiting to be penned with all of my experiences and wild stories.

It took over 12 hours of flying plus an hour layover and three hours to get to my dorm. Jet lag is no joke, folks. Those first few days were rough, to say the least. My program included four days of orientation events that got me up before 9 am and kept me busy all day. So much information at once combined with the seven-hour time difference and comprehending the fact that I would be living 6,000 miles away from home for the next four months, proved to not be an easy pill to swallow. And it has been a struggle ever since. Obviously, as with all things, there are highs and lows.

The Highs:

The food is unlike anything I’ve ever tasted– so fresh, hearty, and authentic. Here are just a few of my favorite meals so far:

My 21st Birthday…

Ironically, this is the only picture I have from that day. But, I had one of the best nights of my life even though the legal drinking age in Cyprus is 18. This drink was called Summer’s Kiss, which the bartender made fun of me for choosing since, as he said, “but it is winter” to which I replied, “not where I’m from!” I said, “at home, it is about 0 degrees Celsius, so this might as well be summer to me.” I don’t remember him laughing, but I didn’t care– this was the warmest I had ever been on my birthday.

Nicosia: Old Town

Global Semesters (the program that organizes study abroad for American students to Cyprus) took us [about 75 Americans] on a trip to Old Town. This was about 20 minutes away by bus. Quick fun fact– even though the rest of the world identifies the capital of Cyprus as Nicosia, Cypriots refer to it as Lefcosa. We were able to walk throughout the town in about 60-degree weather and bright sunshine.

Limassol

The next day we took a trip to the famous port city, Limassol. It took us about an hour by bus to get here and every single second was worth it. The water was the bluest I’d ever seen and it was another beautiful day.

The Lows

1. The campus layout has been a challenge for sure. Everything is spread out and difficult to find. Also, Cypriot drivers are insane and drive like maniacs. Of course, I live in the SIX Residence which is right next to a roundabout and very annoying to walk through. In addition to this, the way that their buildings are laid out is different from the states and hard to navigate. Finding my classes has been a humbling experience. I swear I have to ask someone for directions nearly every day.

2. There is no meal plan so either I go out and pay for every meal or I learn how to cook. So far my groceries include rice, pasta, tomatoes, and water.

3. There’s not exactly a language barrier, even though their native language is Greek every Cypriot speaks English since the British did control the island for some time, but since Cyprus does not get many American tourists, we do get weird looks and many people stare, which is unnerving to say the least. I am constantly aware of what would single me out as an American; am I smiling too much or talking too loudly or wearing the right clothes? Yesterday a man came up to me and said he didn’t know if I spoke Greek or English– I counted this as a win.

4. I am going to fail my physics class.

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Just finished my first week of classes! Let’s rank them, why not.

Photography:

8/10

My professor is amazing and I didn’t have to buy a camera. Although, I did have to buy an SD card for my camera which I’m almost certain I was ripped off for. But I have no idea since everything is in Greek.

Physics:

-10/10

Supposedly, this is a general first-year physics class. After about five minutes I realized that for the next four months, I would spend at least five hours a week feeling like the dumbest person alive. Which, if you do the math, is a very depressing thought.

Managing Special Events:

8/10

There are tons of French students in this class. I think their accent is my favorite.

Greek Art:

9/10

Again, the professor is so nice and I thought the material was really interesting. And she’s going to take us on field trips to museums, I’m in love. I could not be more excited about free transportation.

My pictures from this week–

Also, I’m fluent in exactly two Greek words– Kalimera (good morning) and nai (yes).

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Week 2 Recap!

This week went by a little faster for sure. Everything has started to feel more normal, in a completely abnormal way, if you know what I mean.

The weather has been mostly cloudy. Still beautiful, of course! These pictures pretty much sum up what it’s been like. There was even a tornado here a couple of days ago in Limassol which is an hour away from where I am.

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I did a little cooking… emphasis on “a little“

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Some highlights from this week:

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Day trip to the Troodos Mountains!

The mountains were about an hour and a half away by bus. My friends and I went with all of the U.S. students who are studying abroad this semester. In total, there’s about 80 of us.

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I learned another Greek word this week: Yasas (meaning “hello”).

I also tried Cyprus coffee for the first time this week, which is very different from the States. The coffee and the grounds are poured into a tiny mug and you order depending on how sweet you want the coffee to be. Depending on what you say, dictates how much sugar they put in the coffee. Once receiving your mug, you’re supposed to let the coffee sit for a couple of minutes so that all the grounds can settle on the bottom and then you sip. Overall, it’s a little gritty, but taste’s ridiculously good.

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Week 3 Recap!

I cannot believe that I’ve been here for 3 weeks. In total, it’s been 26 days, but who’s counting? This week, the temperature has gone up, nothing significant, but I can feel the difference. Also, the sun has been shining nearly every day. The sunsets here are unreal.

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Week 4 Recap!

I still cannot believe that I’ve been here an entire month (three more to go) and I can officially say I love it. I was skeptical at first, just so many things to get used to and I still never know what I’m doing, but I do it anyway because when in Rome… or, rather, ‘Cyprus’. Anyway, this week went by super fast. I blinked and it was Thursday. Then I blinked again and it was right now, 10 pm on a Sunday.

As always, here are my pictures from the week:

This week my friends and I made plans to go to the beach! We went to the Finikoudes beach in Larnaca, which is the closest one to us. It was about an hour away by bus. I think we paid about 2.50 euro each way. The weather was gorgeous, around 70 degrees and sunny. It truly felt like summer vacation. I even got a little sunburnt! In the best, most healthy way of course.

Some other updates:

• My friend and I booked a trip to Athens, Greece for 2 weeks from now!
• I got an internship with a professor here at UNIC as a copyeditor for the journal that her department publishes yearly. It’s not exactly the perfect fit for the career I want to pursue, ironically it’s what I used to study my first year of college, but it’ll be a great resume builder.
• I passed my first physics quiz! Still pursuing a tutor though, just to be safe.
• My sink leaked dirty water everywhere, which was gross, got it fixed though.

Sending love to everyone at home, miss you guys <3

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Week 5 Recap!

Made it through yet another week abroad! The weather has been divine– about 70 degrees and sunny. There’s nothing like wearing shorts and a t-shirt while the locals are wearing literal puffer jackets and winter coats. In this weather, I’m convinced I’m getting tan, but they’re freezing. This is technically their winter, but lately, it feels a lot like early May. Everything is starting to bloom, there are wildflowers everywhere, and it’s so picturesque.

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Day Trip:

This weekend, my U.S. group traveled to Kyrenia for the day. Kyrenia is a popular coastal city on the occupied side of the island known for its clear light blue waters. If you’re curious about why it’s called the ‘occupied side’ google, “Turkey invasion of Cyprus 1974.”

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Some random things I’m realizing about Cyprus:

1. They like their food sweet, I still haven’t eaten anything spicy here.
2. Coffee is life; they treat cafes like bars and nearly every cafe is open until midnight and people actually stay that late, which still surprises me.
3. They love pork, every menu will have pork on it.
4. They preach sustainability yet everyone walks around with plastic water bottles 24/7 and I’m not convinced they recycle.
5. When you reserve a table at a restaurant, this is your table for the whole night. They aren’t looking for a fast turnover rate in restaurants as well as they don’t expect tips anywhere. People do still tip a few euros here and there though. Also, if you want the bill, you have to ask the server, they will never ask you because they consider it rude. In fact, they come to the table as little as possible.
6. Everyone here walks slowly. They say it’s because they’re on ‘island time’…
7. They don’t care about personal space.
8. It’s fine to be late. Honestly, I think it’s expected.
9. FOOD. HERE. TASTE. DIFFERENT.

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Some other life updates:

• My friend and I booked another trip… this time to Rome and Sicily the first week of May!
• I made tacos for the third time this week, totally going to make chicken one of these days.
• Midterms for classes are coming up in the next few weeks… wish me luck!
• One guy told me I looked Hispanic and another said my name sounded Arab. I’m so mysterious.

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Missing my rugby family today ❤️

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Week 6 Recap!

Visited Greece this weekend…

Stayed in a kind of sketchy hostel…

Got scammed by a taxi driver…

Saw the Parthenon!

And can safely say it was all worth it– 100% would do it again!

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Week 7 Recap!

My apologies for the late post…

In other news, I forgot to mention that I’m excelling at photography! This is Britt, she’s from the Netherlands and seriously one of the nicest people I’ve ever met.

Love her, but I take beautiful pictures of her and she takes demonic ones of me.

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My U.S. group went on another trip this weekend, this time to Paphos which is a cute little area. The views were incredible, the water was so blue and the sunsets were unreal! On the way to Paphos we stopped at Aphrodite’s Rock, also known as Petra tou Romiou.

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Week 8 Recap!

As of this week, officially I only have 4 more weeks of classes! As well as in a month I will be traveling to Rome and Sicily.

This week the weather peaked at 87 degrees! Obviously, this meant we had to go to the beach. The water here is so clear that not only can I see my feet hitting the sand, but I can also see the tiny silver fish that swim along the ocean floor.

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Week 9 & 10 Recap!

Admittedly, I kind of put off writing about these weeks since nothing notable happened. Classes have started to reach their peak and I’ve been distracting myself with them, trying not to think about how much I miss home.

Of course, it doesn’t work, I miss home like crazy… BUT I also can’t deny how much I love Cyprus. The weather, the food, such easy access to the beach, the coffee, the diversity; I mean I’m currently living ON AN ISLAND, how cool is that? I’ve met people from the Netherlands, France, Germany, Romania, Russia, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Hungary, Greece, obviously Cyprus, and I’m sure many others as well as people from every corner of The States. I have been subjected to so many different cultures in such a short period of time that my head is spinning just thinking about all of them. I have never been so comfortable with being uncomfortable in my life. Even though I have been here for a little over two months now, nearly half of what I do I have never done before. I am almost always operating in the unknown. And no doubt I have become a better person because of it.

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Also, I miss my car. A lot.

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Week 11,12, … Recap!

I’m honestly not sure what week I’m on, but finished my classes for the semester a few days ago! However, I still have 38 more days until I fly home (I’m writing this April 30 and I fly home June 8). But don’t worry, I found some stuff to do. I will spend exactly 10 days in Rome and Sicily and 5 days in Vienna, Austria. Then I have another free 7 days where I’ll definitely study and spend some more time at the beach (obviously since the locals say it could easily be 100 degrees by the time I leave). Then I have 4 finals over 2 weeks. Then I have exactly 4 days to pack everything up to fly home.

May 2 – 12: Rome and Sicily

May 13 – 17: Study Week

May 20 – 31: Finals

May 31 – June 4: Vienna

June 8: FLY HOME! (flight’s at 6 am though… ew)

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To explain some of these pictures … my mother came over with two of her best friends and visited the island for a few days. I can’t even begin to explain how great it was. Effectively cured my homesickness for a while and honestly had the best time. I could not be more grateful that they were able to make the trip! Anyways, other pictures include my last trip with all of the Americans that are studying abroad in Cyprus. We spent a weekend in Ayia Napa, probably the most famous tourist spot on the island. A lot of us ended up booking the same boat trip and we were able to swim in the clearest, most blue and calm water ever. So, so beautiful and a memory I’ll never forget.

This last picture here is the culmination of an entire semester’s worth of work. When I was registering for classes back in December and I picked, Managing Special Events, I didn’t realize the entire goal of the class was to actually organize and run an entire event! Nevertheless, it happened and I became one of the “leaders” and ended up learning so so much, but was also stressed about this event for weeks straight. But anyway, the event was a success and this is a picture of everyone in my class who was a part of the planning and execution of our event. Most of us weren’t even from Cyprus; I think there were like 8 girls from France, 3 Americans (including me), one girl was from Austria, and many other countries.

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Italy!!!

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Austria!