The following was written by Sydney Fitzgerald, former UGA Gymnastics student-athlete. She studied Consumer Economics through the College of Family and Consumer Sciences and had the opportunity to pursue a study abroad trip during Summer 2025.
Santorini Boat Day/ Volcano Hike
One of the most unforgettable experiences during this study abroad trip was our boat day in Santorini. I was looking forward to this specific day long before the trip started, and it lived up to the pressure that I had placed upon it. During the boat day, I also got off and took the most incredible hike up to see the volcano and views that it had to offer. This alone was an awe provoking experience. Climbing a volcano, looking out over the clear blue water, and all with people that I just met but felt so close and connected to was such an incredible experience. This day was so meaningful not just because of the breathtaking views or the clear blue water. It was so meaningful and memorable because of the people I shared it with. Being surrounded by new friends, many of whom I’d just met, made the experience so unique and special. We all swam in the chilly water as well as the hot springs. We climbed up the mountain in the warm sun, and danced and sang all together on the boat ride back to shore. The boat ride back was a blast. I have always taken a few days to really warm up to people and be myself, especially in a group setting, but this group made me feel so comfortable. I will always remember the feelings of joy, awe, and thankfulness that I felt that day. This boat day and hike also made me think about the lecture on tourism in Greece and how so many people come to visit sites like that volcano each year and how it has an impact on their environment and economy.
Akrotiri Visit
Visiting the ancient ruins of Akrotiri was one of the most eye-opening experiences of my time in Greece. Seeing organized rooms, staircases, pottery, and even drainage systems, made me realize how advanced this civilization was for its time. Katarina did a great job as our guide for this trip. I was compelled to listen to the stories and information that she was telling us throughout the whole visit. I felt like her information was really bringing the ruins to life. I could close my eyes and imagine the life of the ancient Greek people there. Through the ruins you could see clearly that Akrotiri was a commercial port, not a military fortress, which challenges the idea that ancient cities always needed protection to thrive. Instead, their strength came from other places. This visit among other museum visits made me think about how amazing it is that we are able to preserve such a massive part of our history so that others (like me) can see and learn about it. Katarina had mentioned how Marinatos led the excavation, and the politics behind funding and supporting such digs. Marinatos was close with the nobles who were able to fund his findings. It is amazing that if they had not, we might not have those remains in a museum today. I kept wondering how much more is left undiscovered. The impact on tourism is clear, Akrotiri brings people to Santorini for more than just beaches, views, and wine. It deepens the tourist experience and supports local businesses through guided tours and museums.
Networking Opportunity
One thing that I was actually not looking forward to but ended up really enjoying was the networking opportunity that we had at the Masters college in Athens, Greece. Initially, I was nervous about what to say or how to connect with students from another country. Like I had mentioned in an earlier reflection, I often take a few days to warm up to people so having to introduce myself and talk with someone for a good amount of time that was from another country on only our first few days was very intimidating. But the experience surprised me in the best way. I met two students who were incredibly kind and curious about our lives as American students. We asked each other all kinds of questions about schooling, the job market, and just our everyday lives as students in two different places. One of them was studying marketing and talked about the differences in the job market and education systems between Greece and the U.S., which was really interesting to hear about. It was so cool to see how similar we actually were, even though we are from opposite sides of the world. We talked about the stress of school, if we ever wanted to move, and they even gave us some recommendations for some local spots in Athens. This interaction helped me gain confidence in myself and overall helped me realize that it is not so different across the country. From an academic perspective, this experience tied into a lot of what we’ve been learning about consumer behavior and international markets. Understanding how Greek students view job prospects and their education helped me understand the local economy better. This experience also helped me to start seriously considering the possibility of getting my Masters abroad.
Overall, I am so thankful to have had each and every one of these experiences. I truly thought that the trip could not have been better and I am so thankful to have had this opportunity. I have come out as a more confident person, gained new relationships, and also found a love for travel and experiencing other cultures.
