Currently listening to the Harry Styles album and writing this on my phone because wifi is too spotty. 

Hello.

I have made it to Thessaloniki. My first flight was cancelled and I missed a day in Greece, but ultimately made it to Frankfurt, Germany. I had a 5 hour layover and then met up with my roommate, Vicky! We made it to SKG and got a taxi to our dorms. We unloaded everything and went out into the city center to familiarize ourselves with the area. Honestly it still hasn’t hit me at that point that I was in Greece. 

The rest of the week was followed by doing a lot of touristy things, touring the school, and lots of Greek food. We went to the old tombs of Vergina. It was definitely a different change of pace in the countryside of Greece, but a cool experience in itself. I am actually sick and just aggressively trying to rest as much as possible before classes start. On Sunday, I stayed in most of the day. Classes started today and maybe it will start to feel like I’m actually a student as opposed to just feeling like I am on vacation? I really did need an adjustment period, so I’m happy about this weekend to have some time to chill and adjust some more.

I will be making some time to go shopping, even if my suitcase doesn’t permit it.

I am feeling a little out of place, trying to find what I want out of this experience but truly just so thankful that I am even here. At orientation, our advisor said to go into this experience with no expectations. It’s true that expectations are safe, but also really limited. You are putting a cap on how much you can gain from something. I really came to Greece not knowing what to expect. I wanted to wash away everything that I ever thought about Greece aka my fantasy with Mamma Mia ish islands and TikTok worthy shots of Santorini. I wanted something new. I didn’t know what, but I really was ready to figure that out for myself. That’s the reason I chose Greece. Everyone I knew went to Spain, London, or Asia. I wanted to make an experience that was personal and struggle through things that I would only know for myself. I’m still scared and wondering what kind of experience I want to make out of this, but for once I’m excited about not having my entire life planned out for me.

Here’s to a new semester of unplanned adventures and no expectations.

So to that I say yamas (cheers). See you next week!

Much love, 

JLee

BIG TAKEAWAYS FROM WEEK 1:

-Small minded people will only get small rewards

-Things may be DIFFERENT in other parts of the world, but not WRONG 

-The world is freaking huge. 

-There are nice people all over the world

-I need to stop comparing Thessaloniki to things in DC (the Waterfront)