Amanda writes, “I spent my first semester of college studying abroad in Thessaloniki, Greece. My dream has always been to attend Northeastern University in Boston, so obviously I was thrilled to find out last winter that I was accepted into this amazing school. But, there was a catch. I would have to spend my first three months of college studying abroad in a country that I didn’t know anything about.

I was currently attending IHA when I found out about my acceptance into the NUin Greece program. IHA provided me with the support system, courage, and confidence to make my dreams come true. After long discussions with my guidance counselor, Mrs. McGovern, my friends, and my family, I decided to say yes to NUin Greece and start the craziest adventure of my life.

Although I was very skeptical of this program at first, and I was terrified to get on the plane, this semester turned out to be the best three months of my life. I had so many opportunities that normal college students do not have. I was able to learn about a completely new culture by living in it. I learned Greek by speaking with the locals, I went on an eleven-hour climb up Mount Olympus, I saw the Parthenon in Athens, explored the island of Crete, and planned my own trip to Rome.

The NUin program truly helped me grow as a person because it gave me a chance to be independent away from my family, to take risks and do something I never thought I would do, and it helped me realize that I can do anything I set my mind to. I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to study abroad in Greece and I cannot wait to be in Boston on the Northeastern Campus where I can start my next adventure!”

Check out the link below for a video of Amanda's adventure in Greece.