The Arcadia in Greece team received this remarkable letter from one of their Spring 2020 students, talking about their experience of study abroad with Arcadia during this difficult time. We are delighted this student shared his feelings with us and allowed us to share them with you.
This semester I went from study abroad to study in bed. As our semester has come to an end, it has left us all time to reflect on our collective experience. When I left, I did not expect to make any friends or to enjoy my time at all. Four days before I left for Greece, I buried my father. It was an unbelievably hard time for me and for my family. I found though that it was to people from the program, the professors and the students that helped me through it. At the time, I did not share this with anyone out of fear of being treated differently. It was through their genuine love for me as a student and peer, that showed me that the world does not always have to be a dark place.
As I was left thinking about this aspect of our program, I thought about my return home. While in Greece, I was able to escape the reality that I had left behind. I could focus on myself and my current situation, but the return home brought a wave of new responsibilities and repressed memories. At times, I found it overwhelming and stressful, but there was one thing that helped me come to terms with my new way of life in quarantine and without my father. That thing was my classes.
Once our classes resumed, I was reunited with the love and support I had felt while in Greece. During the quarantine in the US, I began to lose track of the days and found myself looking forward to nothing, but the resumed classes revitalized routine in my week. I looked forward to classes, and even more so the weekend. It felt good to have interaction with people who were just as deprived of human attention as myself. We were bonded by a collective struggle which brought us all closer.
I understand why it may seem as though canceling the program and avoiding online instruction would be wise for the foreseeable future, but it is wrong. Yes, nobody wants their study abroad program to be from their home; however, the program is much more than the location. The online instruction on life in Greece was thrilling and the hard work and dedication of our professors instilled a need to complete the work on time. While the location may not be a possibility, every other aspect of the program can still successfully function through online instruction.
I am thankful for everyone’s commitment to the students and the idea of a community through online instruction.