Porscha Jacobs

Overall Experience

During the Spring 2025 Semester, I studied at the American College of Greece in Athens, Greece. Studying abroad was truly the best experience I've had in my life. Even after being back in the States for months, I still think about all the late travel nights, random side quests through Europe, the delicious food, and the friendly locals I met along the way. It was a dream come true. I felt incredibly supported by the academic advisors, the international students' office, and my professors. Being immersed in a completely different culture was one of my favorite aspects of being abroad. The cultural, life, travel, and adulting knowledge I've learned while abroad is far greater than I could've imagined. I loved being pushed out of my comfort zone to do the small things in a different country and learning to communicate from an international perspective.

Learning experience

The most valuable learning experience I encountered was using the European public transportation system while traveling. Navigating trains, buses, and metros in unfamiliar cities was already challenging, but it became even more difficult during a public transportation strike. Routes and schedules were suddenly changed or canceled, forcing me to adjust my plans quickly. I learned the importance of flexibility and thinking outside the box regarding different transportation modes. Using alternative public transport modes when one or several were on strike included trains, busses and ferry routes, or ordering Ubers. Sometimes I even had to be rerouted through another city/country to reach my goal destination. I discovered how valuable it is to communicate with locals for guidance and to think creatively when plans don't go as expected. I learned to be resilient, patient, and overall adaptable when it came to European public transportation.

Memorable experience

Throughout my four-month period of living abroad, I got to experience many different activities that changed my passion for the world. One weekend, I joined a surfing trip to the Greek island of Crete. The trip was offered through the school's aqua club, and all the activities were arranged and planned for us. The instructors of the surfing academy were remarkable, patient, and supportive. They taught us surfing fundamentals, how to read waves, improved my swimming technique, and provided tips to stay safe in the water. Learning to surf was one of the most memorable trips because I connected with other Greek students and the local Greeks. We ate family-style dinner at restaurants so everyone could try traditional Greek cuisine. I highly recommend taking a risk and trying things you're not sure you'll enjoy because even if the activity is not your favorite, the experience as a whole could be the most memorable adventure.

What did you not expect?

Immersing yourself in a different culture where the language is very different from what you know can be scary. I was nervous about entering the program because I only knew around five Greek words. I was studying Duolingo, trying to learn the basic phrases and letters, but Greek is a very challenging language. When I arrived, listening to everyone speak Greek did not compare to how online platforms pronounce words. Eventually, after settling, I began to pick up and understand more Greek words. While I still don't and will never fully understand the language, I can piece together what some people were saying. I began to love being surrounded by people speaking a different language. It surprised me how comforting it was to sit at a café and drink my coffee, listening to locals speak Greek, where I could exist in my own little world. Being emerged in a different culture has changed my approach to my professional life because I don't feel intimidated when communicating with international consumers. While a language barrier still exists, I feel more confident in my ability to reach an understanding with them to ensure their message is being interpreted correctly.

What advice would you give?

There won't be a better time to go than now while you're in college. Discover the things in life you do and don't like. There is so much to discover beyond the United States and the Midwest. Even if you're feeling doubt about traveling and leaving family and friends for four months, know that many people out there are willing to support you. The support outside of family and friends from staff members here at ISU and the linked university abroad was immense. I felt safe and supported by my professors, peers, and the program while abroad. I advise taking this leap of faith, as Glennon Doyle wrote, "What if it's scary, but what if it's not? What if it's the best thing that ever happened to you?"

How has this experience impacted your life?

This experience is one that I will forever cherish. It impacted my outlook on life by wanting to value living in the moment and discover things that bring me joy. Every day while living in Athens offered a new experience I'd never known. Even if it was as simple as the cobblestone streets, the humidity in the air, the way people walk on the street, and the different types of trees that grow in the Mediterranean area. This experience grew my love for traveling and being immersed in a different culture. Regarding education and long-term career goals, I always wanted to pursue a job incorporating traveling into the description. While I still would love traveling to be part of the job, I've changed my career goal to focus more on financial stability and smart budgeting to afford leisurely travel with my loved ones more than solo traveling for work.

How did you learn about this experience?

I always knew I wanted to study abroad during my college career, so I was always looking for more information on the program. Attending the study abroad fair taught me more about the information needed and the requirements for various programs. I met with the College of Health and Human Sciences booth at the fair and decided to set up meetings with the department coordinators. At these one-on-one meetings, they could look into my credits, degree requirements, and narrow my potential options to be realistic.

International Connections