Post-Study-Abroad-Culture-Shock-Syndrome

“In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on.” 
― Robert Frost

Pay close attention to the "real feel" temperature."

I've officially been home for one month now and it's been a whirlwind of transition. At this moment, as South Dakota's temperatures have met near record lows (note the "real feel" temperature in the photo to the left), I'm missing sunny Greece more than ever.

The month before leaving Greece, I started to get really hyped up about dealing with the post-abroad-culture-shock. I tried to prepare myself in every way possible: telling myself what it would be like, talking about it, scheduling future coffee dates with friends, researching coping strategies, and reading other blogs. But in the end, it was simultaneously smoother and more shocking than I could have expected.

On the one hand, South Dakota has been my home my entire life. My body knows what it is like to live here. The cold was not much of an adjustment for me. The culture here is everything I have grown up with. My first trip back to Walmart was just like my last trip to Walmart. Whatever. But on the other hand, everything has a slight different color. The taste in my mouth is off.

My second day home, I stopped at a friend's house for a cup of coffee and to see a couple people. Everyone was very sweet, asking me to teach them a few Greek words and what it was like being back. But it wasn't long until our faces became glued to a Facebook newsfeed. Conversation turned to everything I've missed since I've been gone. It suddenly overwhelmingly felt like I never went to Greece, but like I had rather been in a coma for 4 months. I began to grasp what this particular brand culture shock would be like and I actually started to cry a little bit. We didn't talk about it though - I couldn't unscramble what was going on in my head. The next day, I went home to my parent's house for Christmas where I got wrapped up in preparing for the holidays and didn't really touch the subject of Greece again. Every other coffee date following felt like an investigation on my part to discover what all had happened since I'd been in my abroad adventures/undead coma. My friends aren't the same and I'm not the same. I dyed my hair blonde to try mirror my internal changes. Probably a horrible decision on my part, but whatever. It could be a limb.

Family Christmas. :)
Me - Matt - Liz

I had my first day back at school today and though I'm super stoked to see my friends, there is a part of me that still feels a little lost. I keep wanting to ask people how their summer was - as though Fall semester at USF didn't happen. But it definitely happened. Without me. Which is ok. Probably the best and worst way in which I changed from my time in Greece was the realization of how incredibly small I am. In my perspective, in my endeavors, even in my size (if we're looking at like, the universe I mean). I say the "worst" not because it is a bad thing, but only because it is hard, you know - letting go of one's ego. Even though it's for the better. The only negative result is that I'm finding it a little more difficult to relate to people at the moment. But I'm sure that will pass soon, once everything gets back in full swing. My roommate tells me I'm much more mature than I used to be. Another friend said I'm much more "Zen." Perhaps the two go hand in hand.

Anna and I on our last plane home.

But I'm all settled in my new lovely little apartment in which I have a comfortable bed (FINALLY) and lots of personal space, kitchen utensils, and quiet time. After living out of a suitcase for three and a half months, I've been learning a lot more about how much we actually need. TIP: It's not a whole lot. And makes moving/cleaning/organizing much easier then it has been in the past. However, I'm still struggling to simplify my daily life quite as much. I forgot how scheduled everything in the States is! Even on days when I only have a couple of errands to run, the pressure of time still makes me grind my teeth and that "Zen" quality is slowly being chipped away. No idea why that is, but I've started doing Yoga. Thanks, America.

*twenty four hours later*

First day touring with University Singers and it was great! Though it was weird to walk around campus later and not be recognized or know who people were. Trust me - it's a very small school to not recognize others in... though I'm sure the new hair color doesn't help much. People assume I'm a transfer student. :) However, in general, things are going much more in the up and up. But I still think it's important to share what I wrote yesterday as a resource for what post-study-abroad-culture-shock-syndrome can feel like. TIP: I'm told the best way of coping is by writing about it and talking about it. Again, I thank you all so much for reading! Perhaps I'll get around to sharing my experiences from Turkey and Epidaurus someday - I really hope I do. But for now, I'm back in the theater and choir and preparing for KCACTF and the Spring Semester. Started a new book with my sibling book club and planning on going home to see my parents much more often this semester. Things are really looking quite good. :)

All my love,
Debbi

PS: My friend Mariah made a video collage of studying abroad from her perspective. She's got some gorgeous footage if you're interested!

αντίο μέχρι την επόμενη φορά (goodbye until next time)

“No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man.” 

― Heraclitus

“It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” 
― Ernest Hemingway

Finals are done, bags are packed, yogurt bucket is empty, blogs are NOT finished being written, but I'm ready for one last night in Greece before we board the bus at 4am tonight. I say tonight because in Greece on a Friday night, 4am isn't even bedtime yet. I certainly don't plan on sleeping. :) I've been having a lot of trouble organizing my thoughts around the last stretch of my time here. Ever since our trip to Turkey, it's been a whirlwind of people and experiences. And I also may have been suffering from a small case of TDDD. The fact that this time tomorrow, I'll already be on an entirely different continent kinda blows my mind. Did you know the world was that small? I sure didn't.

I've heard that it's a lot harder to come home from being abroad than it is to adapt to the foreign culture. Maybe because you don't expect your home to change while you're gone. Or maybe because you don't realize how much you've changed. But I think it'll be just fine. I can at least say that I like myself much better now than I did before I left. 

So thank you, Greece, for that. Thank you for teaching me about being honest all the time. For proving to me how rewarding it can be to talk to strangers. For showing me how it's ok not to have a plan. For feeding me delicious things. For the generous and affectionate spirits who I've been lucky enough to cross paths with. For putting my legs to use. For simplifying my life. For introducing me to the rest of the world. For the sunshine that is unique to only you. For every person I've befriended and even just encountered. I'm so glad to have met you and I will never be the same. 

Goodbye Greece. Until next time. 

Upcoming Blogs  :) 

• Istanbul, Turkey - Thanksgiving Weekend
• Epidaurus - The Final Frontier 
• Welcome Back!
• What to Pack on Your Study Abroad Adventure

The Hot Bods of Greek Gods

Yia sas! I've been here for almost six weeks. And we've only just made it to the Parthenon. TIP: Though the night life in Athens is typically very late, check the hours for tourist sites and grocery stores. They aren't open as late as you'd think! Markets tend to close at 9 pm and the tourist sites vary. A simple tip that I'm still somehow figuring out. However, one of the plus sides of Athens is that there's always an ancient ruin somewhere to be admired from afar.

Some of the adventures and events of this past week:

October 3rd. Our roommate Steph got hit by a car while she was out running in preparation for the Marathon. (You know, like the MARATHON Marathon - whoa.) This affirms the craziness of traffic conditions here. Narrow roads, little traffic enforcement, and most sidewalks are often blocked from pedestrians by planted trees, parked cars and dumpsters. There is even a group here in Athens trying to fight for pedestrian rights. Pedestrian rights.... something I've always taken advantage of, I guess! Send out your prayers and positive thoughts to this super sweet trooper!

October 4th. Cheered on the Deree women's soccer team. Our cheers were so inspiring that our friend Carissa actually knocked one of the opponents out!

October 5th. Anna, Jess and I checked out the National Archeological Museum here in Athens (€3 with student ID). It was beeeeauuutiful. The museum is near the area in Athens known as Exarchia and next door to Athens Polytechnic (aka the National Technical University of Athens). Exarchia is a popular area for college students, anarchists and demonstrations with many cool shops, restaurants and clubs. When we arrived in the area, there was a peaceful demonstration beginning across the street from the metro - its the first one I have seen during my stay in Athens. The area is very eclectic in appearance and is covered entirely in very artistic graffiti (while most of Athens is covered in very boring, gross, sad, and inartistic graffiti). At night time, in Exarchia Square, it is apparently common to see many people doing drugs out in the open. Needless to say, it is a unique community and made the sparkling beautiful building and grounds of the museum very easy to find.

The exhibits were crazy cool. Pieces were from the Archaic and Classical Periods, Bronze Age, Byzantine Empire, Egypt, and even a shipwreck (though don't quote me on the details here). However, many of the statues and monuments were taken from people's gravestones. They were of course very cool and artistic all the same, but it was still weird... I dunno how I would feel if I knew someone took the monument marking my grave to display in a museum somewhere. However, we did also see a few mummies and skeletons, so I guess all's fair in love, war, and historical preservation! Side note, all the statues of Greek gods had totally hot bods. Here's a couple (non-naked statue) pictures from our adventure:

Check out the detail on his arms - you can see his VEINS.

Anna and Jess. And Mr. Dead Guy.

Zeus' arm. And a statue of an arm. 

Later that night, some of my Greek friends from class took Carissa and I out for a night on the town; specifically, in the Gazi District. This area is also a very cool collegiate area with many cool looking clubs, bars, coffee shops and stores. We relaxed and talked for a while and then they took us dancing (to prove that Greeks DO dance)! TIP: If you plan on going to a club on the weekend in Athens, arrive relatively "early" - maybe around 11 pm, before the place packs up and the lines start. After about 2 am, you can't really go into any other places because of the lines. The club played everything from Britney Spears to the Rocky theme to Gangsta's Paradise. The dancing here is more subdued then back in the States though. As in, you don't really see people grinding - which is definitely cool by me. :) We called it an early night at 3 am - after the metro had closed at 2 am - and our friends continued to prove Greek hospitality by giving us a ride all the way back to our dorm. However, TIP: Do not ask a Greek boy what hair product he uses for his stylish and gravity-defiant hairstyles. According to them, they do not use product. But then again, that does go along with Anna's theory that all Greeks have beautiful hair.

October 11th. We finally made it out to the Acropolis (which is the name of a mountain, not a monument)! (€6 with USF student ID.) Atop this mountain sits the Parthenon and a couple other temples for the worship of Athena, the Goddess of War and protector of Athens. We were in total awe of these monuments. Can you imagine building such structures? And climbing a mountain every day to do it? 

The Parthenon

Odeon of Herodes Atticus - Just like we studied in Theater History!
Photo credit to Anna Thvedt

My favorite - The Theater of Dionysus

Afterward, we explored the Acropolis Museum (free with Greek student ID)- a beautiful building dedicated to the archeological discoveries of the Acropolis. I feel so incredibly blessed to be surrounded by so much history! When I get home, I am definitely going to take better advantage of the museums in Sioux Falls. However, something I have found most interesting historically is Greece's more modern history. I feel like I am not alone when I say that, really, the only modern European history I've studied in America involves WWII. I'm not proud to say that I was even pretty ignorant of the Greek Revolution before my Modern Greek History class. You see, contrary to popular belief, modern Greece isn't the "Classical Greece" of theater and philosophy and science that one might expect before coming here. Some Greek historians actually go so far to describe their Classical inheritance as a burden. Much has happened and changed in this country since Aristotle's time - the religion, the boundaries, the language, the government, and the people. Which makes Greece's culture all the more rich, dynamic and fascinating to be a part of this semester!

It's All Greek to Me

The heart of man plans his way, 

but the Lord establishes his steps. 

Proverbs 16:9

Hello from Athens! Now it is time for a REAL update. From the beginning.

After a day or so of attempted jetlag recovery time (we are 8 hours ahead of SoDak), Anna and I finally  ventured out of our dorm and headed toward the nearest market with a group of our fellow study abroad students. Let's talk about about culture shock a little bit. This is something I have heard about my whole life but I've never really understood it. I still don't. However, when I walked into the grocery store and realized that close to nothing is labeled in English (let alone, using the latin alphabet), it began to hit me. I'm not in America anymore.

Our first market adventure!

I mean, duh, but still--Athens is a city and for the most part, a city is like most cities. And it's not like I haven't been in cities in foreign countries before. (I realized the other day that Greece is the 14th country I have traveled to!) But this is the first country that I've had to learn to really live in. The first time I've had to buy groceries abroad. Anna and I ended up being so overwhelmed, we only came home with instant coffee (that we thought was regular), tea, Nutella, and sweetened condensed milk (that we thought was coffee creamer--though that's apparently what they actually use here!). Thankfully, the school also provided us with some basic groceries in our fridge before we got here. Which was real nice. Groceries are a process.

But, it's starting to settle in a little more. We completed orientation yesterday and it was super weird to realize: Whoa. This is an actual school. People actually go here. There is a campus and there are teachers and advisors and students and.... everything! The people who have been emailing me all summer actually exist! What?! Classes actually start Monday!

After orientation, I joined a couple girls on a hike up a nearby mountainyhillthing. It was fantastic! From almost to the top, you could see ALL of Athens--literally. On our way back down, we ran into a professor from our university who let us look through his binoculars to see PARTHENON! It was again like: Whoa. We aren't in just any foreign country with a different alphabet. We ARE in Greece. We are in GREECE!

The little babiest hill in between the two bigger hills is the ACROPOLIS! 

Today, we toured our neighborhood and downtown Athens. It was an excellent introduction to the area to kinda help us get a little more solid idea of where in the world we are. Everything is made of marble. The buildings, many sidewalks, everything. It's the building material here--like cement or wood. In the next couple weeks for sure, I'll start to feel a lot more comfortable in the our area. There are many restaurants and shops nearby--even a Pizza Hut within walking distance! It will be a very fun neighborhood to experience one I've gotten the swing of things.

There is talk of going to the beach tomorrow. And in the morning, Anna and I are going to try and actually grocery shop. We've already compiled a grocery list and translated it to Greek. Wish us luck! Or, as they say in Greece, wish us success! That is better then luck.





ADDITION: If you want to see fun factoids and pictures from our walking tour of Athens, check out my new friend Carissa's blog. She's a smarty-pants and way better at remembering details of things then I am!