DEREE Students Abroad

What I consider most important was the opportunity I had to get to know people from all over the world and learn about their cultures, lifestyles and interests. I met all kinds of people from many countries while I studied in the US. I was amazed to hear all these ideas and beliefs that were new to me. Every single day and every single conversation was a new learning experience for me. 

Actually no! But when I heard about this opportunity DEREE offers to students, I started to consider the pros of spending a semester abroad. After taking everything into account, I concluded that by going to the US, I would be able to get a first impression of the country, improve my English skills, and make new American friends. Now after having such a great experience, I feel much more confident about myself and my English skills. This program is a tremendous plus for DEREE, and I think all students should take advantage of it!

When I arrived in the US, I knew nobody. It was the first time in my life I had to take care of myself solely on my own. There I learned that no matter how strong a character I might have, everything becomes easier when there is somebody there with me. By living abroad for four months, I learned how important friendships are. I have to admit that on my way to the US, I was anxious about making friends and of being alone. Of course, back then I had no clue how friendly Americans are. From the first moment I arrived in Flagstaff, I was warmly welcomed by Northern Arizona University’s staff who were willing to assist me with everything I needed. Making American friends was so much easier than I thought it would be. By simply stating the fact that I am Greek, I was turned into a magnet, attracting people interested in me. I was always invited to parties and events. So, to sum it up, what I learned was this: that Greeks are very popular in the US; that Americans are the most friendly people I have ever met; and that surviving while being in another continent was not difficult, especially because I was not alone.

The truth is that the internship you set up for me was the main reason I chose to study to NAU instead of the other schools in the US. Ms. Mandy Hansen, Director of International Admissions and Recruitment at NAU, gave me the opportunity to gain insight into how Americans work. I was able to communicate with NAU employees on a daily basis, expressing my views and learning from my superiors. I was in charge of a new program called the “International Student Ambassador Training”. My main responsibility was to contact international students currently studying at NAU, interview them so as to learn about their NAU experience, and ultimately train them on how to promote the University back to their countries so that more students might come in the future.
At first I was a bit afraid of having such responsibilities. But after a while, having the full support of the whole International Business Department, I began feeling very confident about myself and my potential. This internship is a major asset to my CV since I want to study to at a top US graduate school after I graduate from DEREE. This internship along with the internship I secured when I returned to Athens in the US Embassy in Greece will strengthen my application significantly.

All the friendships created during those four months can be best described as bonds. Although I am now back in Greece, I feel very close to all my American and international friends I met at NAU. We keep in touch through Facebook and Skype regularly and are always eager to learn each other’s news and progress. This summer some of these friends will come and visit me here in Greece, and in the following fall we have arranged to meet in London. Even today, many months later, when I am not in a good mood, I want to talk to some of my US and international friends.

Yes, definitely!  Flagstaff is in a perfect location for traveling since it is between Utah, California and Mexico. My friends and I spent many weekends traveling, mainly by car, to different states and cities. After four months, I had traveled to four different states and more than ten cities, including: Los Angeles, San Diego, Iowa City and Chicago. No matter how much I travelled though, my thirst to explore US is not fulfilled. In contrast, the more places I have visited, the more eager I am to learn about the US and its history.

A lifetime experience! — This is the only way I could characterize the semester I spent at Northern Arizona University as part of my academic development. It gave me a taste of what is out there and how much broader world actually is, which I think is one of the most important things higher education can do for a student in our times. I am grateful to DEREE for giving me this opportunity, and I really hope that many students will follow my path by taking advantage of such programs.