Study Abroad With Superior Edge: A New Perspective

Born and raised in Marquette, I always knew I'd be a Wildcat! With a parent staff member and growing up with the NMU culture everywhere, transitioning into being a northern student was seamless. Still I craved a new perspective. Little did I know how much Northern really had to offer me. I joined the Superior Edge group at the start of my freshman year to get more involved and to help the community. This past May, I was lucky enough to travel to Greece through the Superior Edge group and create some of the most amazing memories. During this life changing trip, I built many friendships, experienced diversity, and gained a new perspective on being a northern student. 

On May eighth, after more than twenty four hours of travel, twenty other NMU students and I landed in Athens, Greece. We were exhausted, jet lagged and in need of a shower. Yet we were so eager for what was in store for us. After leaving the airport, we were taken to a hostel. The place we'd call home for the majority of our trip. The hostel was located in an alleyway right in the center of Athens. I'd be lying if I said I didn't experience some culture shock. It was many of our first times traveling outside the country and most definitely my first time staying in a hostel. With little city experience, Athens was shockingly crowded but equally amazing. Our time in Athens included eating amazing Greek food like gyros and spanakopita. We also were able to visit the Panathenaic stadium where the modern Olympics first took place in 1896. We were also given the opportunity to sightsee at the Acropolis where the Parthenon was the highlight.

In between sightseeing and trying Greek cuisine, we were given the opportunity to learn about and visit different programs involving assisting the less fortunate. These programs included nonprofits that provide counseling and physiological support to create equal opportunities for certain vulnerable groups of people. We also visited a recycled clothing program that supplies those in need with clothing that is clean and durable. While there we helped organize the clothing by size and style and then packaged it for specific individuals and families. It was inspiring to meet the individuals who volunteer their time to these programs to help people such as refugees and the homeless. I learned that Athens as well as Greece in general has been taking a multitude of valuable steps towards eliminating homelessness and assisting the individuals who seek refuge in their country. This experience gave me so much perspective on diversity and those who come from different walks of life. 

Overall, my time in Greece was life changing. We got to visit multiple islands such as Patmos, Crete, and Santorini. I met so many kind and generous people who inspired me to continue to help others and keep exploring. I find it incredible that I got to have this experience through Superior Edge and NMU and look forward to my next trip abroad as a Wildcat.