The Time of Their Lives

This semester, we’re following Endicott students as they embark on transformative study abroad assignments around the globe. Read their first and second dispatches. 

In our third installment, we asked our study abroad students to reflect on how they feel a few months into their experience. Has study abroad changed anything for them? Have they picked up the local language or adjusted to cultural differences, if any? 

Below, you’ll hear about their extensive travels—Andorra, anyone?—and how everyone, while in different locations, seems to echo the same sentiment: This is, indeed, the time of their lives.

Angela Battiata—Madrid, Spain

These past few weeks have been filled with so much adventure and traveling! I’m so grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given and the chance to travel the world. The memories I’ve made these last months abroad will stay with me for the rest of my life. I know that when I’m older, I’ll reminisce about my fond memories of being young, carefree, and bold! 

Since my last dispatch, I’ve been to many cities and countries in Europe. At the beginning of March, a few friends and I went to the south of Spain and visited two cities, Málaga and Cómpeta. While in Cómpeta we went on a beautiful hike and the scenery was mesmerizing. This ended up being a six-and-a-half-hour hike and I would like to point out that it was my very first time hiking! The view from that altitude looked like it belonged on a National Geographic magazine cover—it was that beautiful. 

After, we had our final excursion and visited three different cities in Spain: Cordoba, Seville, and Granada. We spent one day in Córdoba and Seville and two days in Granada. In Córdoba, we went to the Mezquita-Catedral, a mosque built during the time Muslims ruled over Al-Andalus. We visited the mosque during the night and it was beautiful, especially the way it was lit up. In Seville, we went to a flamenco show and I was able to get a front-row seat. It amazes me how much passion the dancers put in and the guitarist carried the show! I can’t wait to see another flamenco performance. In Granada, we visited the Alhambra palace, one of the oldest and most famous monuments of Islamic architecture. 

At the end of March, my friends and I went to Lucerne, Switzerland, and went paragliding! It was the most exhilarating and freeing experience of my entire life. Surprisingly, I was not nervous at all—the view of the Swiss Alps was breathtaking from such a high altitude and even beat the view of the mountains in Málaga. We explored the city of Lucerne by walking around, driving around, and going on a boat tour. 

I have a few more places booked for April and I cannot wait to share my memories with everyone. Cheers to more traveling and memories with friends! 

Caitlyn Sievers—Prague, Czech Republic

There was a shift from feeling like a visitor in Prague to feeling like I live here in the last few weeks. I don’t feel the need to have my GPS running everywhere I go—I’ve become a bit of a regular at some restaurants and cafes, and I’ve continued exploring new parts of the city as well. The language is still challenging because it is so different from anything I’ve been exposed to. It’s easier to read signs on the street and in buildings and understand where I’m supposed to go, but conversation beyond the basic “hello, yes please, thank you, goodbye” is nearly impossible. 
 
The most notable cultural difference that I’ve adjusted to is how much slower life is here. In the U.S., people are so anxious about wasting time and constantly rush from one thing to the next. In Prague, people aren’t speed walking down the street. Servers won’t bring you the bill until you ask for it because they don’t want to rush you out of the restaurant. At first, it was honestly a little frustrating to get used to because I’m accustomed to a fast-paced day, but it’s been nice to learn how to relax a bit more. 
 
Without a doubt, the highlight of the past month was all the traveling I was able to do. I took my first solo trip to Budapest, Hungary. It was definitely a learning experience—I didn’t plan much of an itinerary, so I spent a lot of time wandering the city, but it was beautiful and it allowed me to see interesting places that I might not have otherwise sought out. 
 
The next weekend was my birthday, and I met up in Paris with my friend Grace, who is studying in Madrid this semester. Traveling and exploring with a friend was a great change of pace, and it was a relief to be in a place where the language was more familiar to me. We visited the Louvre, spent an afternoon exploring Montmartre, enjoyed a sunset by the Eiffel Tower, and more.
 
I was also able to take a solo trip to Barcelona and Andorra la Vella. The architecture, food, and energy in Barcelona were incredible, and I was happy to be on the shore again! My favorite place was Parc Güell, which had an amazing view of the city. After two days in Spain, I took a bus to the tiny country of Andorra (smaller than Rhode Island!), sandwiched between France and Spain in the Pyrenees Mountains. I have wanted to visit Andorra since I was a kid, and being there was one of the most exciting and gratifying moments of my experience abroad so far. I went hiking, and taking time away from big cities was a much-needed break for me. 
 
Last weekend, Grace came to visit me in Prague and I loved being able to host her and show her my favorite places around the city. Playing “tour guide” for the weekend cemented the feeling that Prague has become a home-away-from-home for me, and the idea of leaving in under two months is bittersweet. 
 
I’m now looking forward to warmer days in Prague, more solo trips around Europe, and my mom coming to visit!

Caitlin Ryan—Florence, Italy

Amy Phalen—Agia Paraskevi, Greece

It’s official—I only have two weeks left in my program here in Greece! This is going to be a very bittersweet goodbye. Traveling Europe, while living in Greece for four months, has been one of the best times of my life. Learning your way around a new country and culture with people that become your best friends is an unbeatable experience. Luckily, I have a few more weeks here and I have a few last trips planned. Greece has an extensive and rich history among beautiful destinations, which is something I’ve loved about this study abroad location. It feels like Greece has it all.

I would say that the most surprising thing about study abroad is how normal our lives in Agia Paraskevi feel, even though we are traveling most weekends. I became very used to walking everywhere, getting down to Athens, knowing the good shopping spots, and our favorite bakery on the corner.

I will admit that I’m excited to see my friends and family at home so soon, along with the familiarity of home. Because we didn’t have a spring break, my roommates and I are staying a few extra days to go to Mykonos. I’m excited for one last trip to end this big excursion!

Kainu’u Gavin—Cork, Ireland