As my trip to Greece gets closer, it’s starting to feel a lot more real—and honestly a mix of excitement and nerves. I decided to study abroad because I wanted to experience something outside of my normal routine and push myself a little. I was lucky enough to visit Italy last summer, which made me realize how much I love traveling and experiencing different cultures. But this trip feels different because it’s my first big trip without my family. Even though I’ll be with people I know, it’s still a step toward being more independent.
I also just finished my third semester of nursing school a few days ago, so this feels like the perfect way to start my summer. My schedule is usually pretty structured and busy, so having the opportunity to go on a study abroad mission trip feels really rewarding. I’m especially excited because I’ll be able to use some of the skills I’ve learned in my courses in a real-world setting, which makes the experience even more meaningful.
Getting to Greece has already been an adventure of its own. Our first flight ended up being delayed by three hours, and there was barely any communication from the airline which definitely amplified my stress. My layover in Washington was originally around two and a half hours, but after the delay, we somehow went from having plenty of time to technically having negative seven minutes to make our connecting flight. At one point, it looked like rebooking was our only option. Thankfully, the delay shortened a little, and with a strong tailwind (and pilots who were definitely moving efficiently), we landed with about twenty minutes left before boarding closed.
Unfortunately, the Washington airport is not exactly delay-friendly, and our estimated transfer time was forty-one minutes. So naturally, that turned into an actual sprint across the airport. Somehow, after running the entire way, we made it to the gate with literally one minute left before boarding ended. Even more shocking, our bags somehow made it onto the plane too. Looking back now, it’s funny, but in the moment it definitely added to the nerves and stress of traveling internationally for the first time without my family.
Anyways, here’s a fun photo from the plane because the fancy dimmable airplane windows turned pink and purple during the flight, which honestly made the whole experience feel a little less stressful. Something about dramatic airport chaos just feels more manageable under mood lighting.
Now that we’ve finally made it, I’m just really grateful and excited for this opportunity. My goal for this trip is to fully experience everything—serving others, learning through the mission work, exploring a new culture, and growing both personally and professionally along the way.