Navigating the Study Abroad Experience: Growth, Challenges, and Unforgettable Lessons
By Tucker Hanson
Spring 2025
College is a time of many new adventures. Studying abroad offers you an opportunity to explore the world while still achieving your degree. It is a life-changing experience to be a part of, with highs and lows each and every day. Whether you are finding new passions, exploring new cultures, trying new foods, or training every day, studying abroad is a constant learning experience. You are learning new life skills with each lesson while you are abroad. Learning to adapt and balance to the unknown, while managing school, travel, and athletics can be overwhelming at times. Here is why you shouldn't feel anxious and embrace the unknown. Take the leap to study abroad!
Study Abroad Experience: Opportunities, Challenges and tips Why Study Abroad?
This unique experience allows you to really push yourself to make yourself uncomfortable. While abroad, you develop essential skills like problem-solving, adaptability, and communication. The experience often pushes you out of your comfort zone, leading to growth you may not even realize in the moment. Being far from home means relying on yourself, which builds a strong sense of independence.
Adjusting to a different school system is another challenge that strengthens your ability to learn and adapt that translates to skills that are critical in the job market post-graduation. I had the chance to interview Dr. Moussetis, a professor of international business at North Central College, who emphasized how studying abroad enhances your resume by showcasing your open-mindedness and personal growth. As Dr. Moussetis put it, "You don't even truly realize how much you have grown until you have returned from your trip."
Beyond the professional benefits, studying abroad is also a unique way to continue earning your degree while exploring the world, often at a cost comparable to your home institution. Personally, I became an expert on Greece while also experiencing Germany, Ireland, and the Italian cities of Naples, Milan, and Rome.
Ultimately, studying abroad challenges you in ways you never expect. It shapes you into a more adaptable, independent, and open-minded person. Creating skills and experiences that will benefit you for a lifetime.
Challenges of Study Abroad
The typical challenges faced while studying abroad often include academic and environmental adjustments, homesickness, and potential language or cultural barriers. Adjusting academically can be one of the biggest hurdles. Different countries have different approaches to teaching, grading, and assignment weighting. Every university has its own grading scale, which can be confusing at first.
In my experience, professors and advisors genuinely want you to succeed and enjoy your semester abroad. I was able to interview the Associate Director of Education Abroad at North Central College, Rachel Birkley, who emphasized the importance of asking questions and seeking help when needed, sooner rather than later. As she shared, "As you prepare for your semester abroad, don’t hesitate to reach out for support. Whether it’s about your program, culture shock, or any other aspect of your experience, the sooner you ask questions, the sooner you can ensure a smoother transition. Your study abroad department is here to help make the transition as smooth as possible." This proactive approach can make all the difference in navigating a new environment and ensuring your semester abroad is as enjoyable and successful as possible.
My best advice: say yes to every opportunity. Push yourself out of your comfort zone as much as possible. Dr. Moussetis also stressed the importance of avoiding tourist traps. He stated, "Stay away from tourist traps, surround yourself with locals, and try all the new food. Embrace the opportunity to fully experience the culture."
Language barriers may also pop up, depending on where you are. I was surprised by how many people spoke English, but that’s not always the case. Google Translate became a valuable tool to help bridge communication gaps. I also recommend learning basic phrases in the local language. Technology can be a great aid in breaking those barriers.
While challenges will arise, they become opportunities to grow. Each problem you solve helps you develop stronger communication and critical thinking skills. These traits that will serve you long after your time abroad.
Some Tips to Navigate the Chaos
Succeeding abroad starts with an open mind, good time management, embracing local culture, and making time to travel.
As you prepare to go abroad, it’s important to research your new environment. By familiarizing yourself with your host country ahead of time, you’ll experience fewer cultural differences and feel more open to trying new things. This preparation helps you better connect with the culture and enjoy your experience from the start.
Time management is also a key skill to master. Most weekends are spent exploring your host country or visiting others nearby. Staying ahead will help you avoid stress when exams or major projects come up. As a student athlete it's important to emphasize this time for training and school work.
Student athlete and study abroad alum Charlie Snyder shared through an interview, “ Plan ahead and be prepared to spend some money if you plan to travel.” He also emphasized financial planning and monthly budgeting, since every month can look different in terms of expenses. By planning ahead, you’ll be able to travel to more places at an affordable price. Trains, planes, and ferries are all budget-friendly ways to get around.
In our interview, Rachel shared another valuable piece of advice: embrace your journey—because before you know it, it’s over. She also stressed the importance of finding a program that’s the right fit for you and being open to the unknown.
Some days, problems will come up that are outside of your control. But how you respond and embrace those challenges is something you can control.
My Personal Experience Studying Abroad in Greece
Why I Chose Greece
I chose Greece for a variety of reasons: its top-tier athletic facilities, rich history, and diverse academic offerings. One of the biggest draws for me was the opportunity to train at some of the best athletic facilities available. Attending DEREE,The American College of Greece, provided my teammates and me with access to training spaces used by Olympic teams during the 2004 Athens Olympics. This made it easy for us to train consistently, both indoors and outdoors, while balancing our studies.
Beyond athletics, Greece’s deep historical and cultural roots added incredible value to my academic experience. Greek history continues to shape its culture and people today. Exploring Greek history and mythology was a major highlight. The country’s accessibility to iconic landmarks like the Acropolis, the Olympic Stadium, Olympia, the Temple of Zeus, and the Temple of Aphaia made these lessons come to life. Visiting these sites provided first hand insight into how Greek history continues to shape its culture today.
Despite fully immersing myself in Greek culture, I was able to stay on track with my graduation timeline by taking major-related courses that transferred smoothly back to North Central College. Studying abroad in Greece allowed me to balance my academics, athletic training, and cultural exploration, making it a well-rounded and unforgettable experience.
Although I did a lot of research beforehand, thanks to Rachel Birkley, DEREE and all that Greece had to offer still far exceeded my expectations. This experience was one that I encourage anyone on the fence about studying abroad to take the leap and go for it!
Challenges I Faced While Abroad
Being my first time outside the United States, the experience was surreal, and it brought challenges I had never encountered before. The experience offered valuable lessons, ultimately making the journey all the more transformative for personal and athletic growthboth on and off the field. One of the first hurdles I experienced was navigating potential cultural and language barriers. While most people in Greece spoke English, there were times when traveling that I had to rely on Google Translate or learn a few basic phrases to get by.
Another challenge was adjusting to the day-to-day life in Greece, especially during the first few weeks. I had to figure out the local meal times, how to get to classes and the gym, and where to find grocery stores and what hours they were open. It was a lot to take in at once, but eventually, I got the hang of it.
The first few weeks were chaotic, but as time passed, I learned the new system and settled in. One of the biggest challenges that arose once I got comfortable was homesickness. The 8-hour time difference between Greece and the U.S. turned my day upside down. While I was starting my day, my family and friends back home in Chicago were winding down and heading to bed. This forced me to rely on myself for day-to-day decisions, which, in turn, helped me grow and adapt.The personal growth you gain as a student-athlete abroad prepares you to handle obstacles, whether as a student in the classroom, an athlete on the field, or in dealing with the unpredictability of life circumstances.
Finding the right facilities and gyms to meet your training needs can be tough, especially when you're juggling a busy school schedule. Time management becomes crucial, and planning your days in advance helps keep everything in balance. With travel often taking up weekends, finding time to train during travel can be tricky. Prioritizing your training during weekdays when you're home is essential.
At DEREE, the facilities had everything we needed for training, except for a lacrosse goal. Fortunately, thanks to Amazon Prime, we were able to have one shipped two weeks after we arrived, which made a huge difference to our preparation.
Another challenge, as shared by Charlie Snyder, was coordinating class times with practice schedules. Communication became even more important to ensure that everyone was able to get their workouts in for the day. “This use of efficient communication helped both our athletic, personal, and professional growth” (Charlie Snyder). Navigating the study abroad experience requires balancing athletics, academics, and travel. Over-communicating about training times and making adjustments was essential for staying on track and ensuring we didn’t fall behind.
Managing time was crucial while balancing training, academics, and weekend travel. Despite these challenges, my time abroad was an incredibly valuable experience. The hurdles I faced contributed significantly to my personal growth and helped me become more adaptable and independent.
The Opportunities of Study Abroad
My study abroad experience in Greece is what I describe as paradise, and this makes this question an easy one for me to answer. The opportunity to immerse myself fully in Greek culture was life-changing.
Studying abroad helped me gain a new perspective on the world, broadening my worldview in ways I hadn’t expected. One of my favorite aspects of living in Greece was cooking. I cooked frequently during the week and was fortunate to experience the incredible freshness of fruits, vegetables, and produce from local farmers near my apartment.
Groceries and quick meals were easily accessible and affordable, and even dining out in Greece was budget-friendly. The affordability of everyday life made the entire experience even more enjoyable.
In fact, tuition for my semester abroad was more affordable than staying on campus, which made my decision to study abroad even easier. Once I became comfortable in Greece, traveling to other European countries like Ireland, Germany, and Italy became even more exciting and accessible.
Affordable transportation options and shared accommodations helped keep travel costs low, allowing me to see more for less. Even if you don’t travel extensively, DEREE offers plenty of free field trips and discounted activities, like hikes, scuba diving, and overnight camping. One of the highlights of my time abroad was my scuba diving experience at a remote Greek beach. It was an unforgettable adventure that was both affordable and thrilling.
I could go on and on about why studying abroad was the best decision I’ve ever made. If you’re still reading, consider this your sign to take the leap and explore the world while earning your degree!
Tucker Hanson is a senior at North Central College, pursuing a Bachelor's in Sport Management with a Marketing Minor. A student-athlete on the lacrosse team, Tucker studied abroad in Athens, Greece, during his junior year. He hopes to inspire more students to start conversations about studying abroad and take the leap to explore the world.