Study Abroad Student Missing Morningside (but still loving being abroad!)

Greetings from Athens!

Let’s start with a quick introduction, shall we? I’m Megan and I am currently living in Athens, Greece. I’m a junior at Barnard, majoring in Pre-modern History with a possible Art History minor. I’ve practically lived and breathed Barnard for the past three years, living on campus during both school years and summers. Before coming to Athens, I had yet to be away from Barnard for more than month (at a time) in three years. Suffice it to say that New York, more specifically Morningside Heights, has become my new home.

Even though I can see the Acropolis from all of my classrooms here in Athens, I still find myself missing Barnard and its brick walkways…despite the fact that my heels get stuck in them all the time. I’ve missed the jumbo milkshakes from Tom’s, my toasted sesame seed bagel with tomato and turkey (no cheese) from Nussbaum and Wu, and the conveniently located beef and broccoli from Ollie’s. I miss the Quad and the Columbia University Marching Band that comes to play for Barnard students the night (er…early morning) before finals begin every semester. And, last but in no way shape or form least, I miss the people at Barnard. My friends (though many of them are also abroad and having a ball), the professors I’ve grown close to over the past three years, my employers (past and present), basically everybody at Barnard. I’ve met so many wonderful people at Barnard that it’s hard not to miss them all.

I just told you everything I miss about Barnard, but in all reality I’ve been having the time of my life here in Athens. I have a fabulous view of the Parthenon from all of my classrooms; I’ve been to some pretty amazing islands (Hydra and Aegina) and Cairo with trips planned to the islands of Limnos and Lesvos (home of Sappho) and Turkey. It’s absolutely mind-blowing that I’ve been able to travel to so many places I’ve studied in my classes at Barnard. My Introduction to Art History class has been especially useful during my travels to Cairo and around Athens. As a Pre-modern History major, being in Athens in such proximity to the ancient cultures I’ve been studying for half of my life is surreal and brings my studies to a whole new and much more realistic level. I’ve been walking where the Socrates, Thucydides, and Demosthenes have walked. If that doesn’t blow your mind, I don’t know what would.

Well. I’ve rambled for a bit now, if any of you have any questions at all feel free to ask me! Even if it’s just a question about my favorite movies or my favorite food (currently: too many movies to name and kushari), I’ll be happy to answer any question you might have and if I can’t answer it someone else on the blog probably can or I can point you in the right direction!

--Megan