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Megan Solheid
Megan Solheid is an Ambassador who studied abroad in Greece and Rome.
Briefly describe a specific cultural experience you had on your trip that made a lasting impression.
In Santorini I was walking back from doing some homework at a little pizza and gelato shop and I slipped in the middle of the street (the roads are super uneven and slippery in Greece) and my bag and water bottle went flying. Apparently, this old Greek woman witnessed the whole thing and came to my help, picking up my bag and water. Then, she kept making this spitting noise at me and speaking really fast in Greek and rubbing the scrape on my leg while saying a prayer or chant. She seemed very very concerned. I was so glad she was there, but a little confused about what was going on. I remembered learning that the Greeks are very superstitious and that they make that spitting noise to rid you of the evil spirits that caused your bad luck. So, even though I fell, i had a pretty memorable cultural experience!
Why did you choose the program in which you participated?
I had always known that I wanted to study abroad in college, and I actually always knew that I wanted it to be in Greece. So when I found out St. Ben's had a Greco-Roman program I thought it was an additional bonus! I was craving a cultural and eye opening experience and everything about the people, the food, and the influential history of both Greece and Rome were very intriguing to me.
Describe your overall study abroad experience.
I would describe my experience as a once in a lifetime opportunity to learn about myself and my culture in a setting that allows me to reflect and change. I experienced numerous cultures in my pre-travels and my time split between Athens and Rome which have shaped my worldview and have made me want to travel even more than I already did. The friendships that I made on the trip are some of the most genuine that i have made in college. Every aspect of the trip was a growing experience.
How has the trip affected you? How are you different for having completed the experience?
Studying abroad in Greece and Italy has made me a more curious, confident, and capable individual. From the planning process to the adventures, and the daily challenges of learning how to live and fit in in another culture, I have become a more adaptable and adventurous person. The trip has also opened my eyes to the many ways other people live and has brought to my attention the wastefulness that I now notice even more in the US, and has made me more curious about the politics in my own country. In fact, it inspired me to take a political science class this semester!
What advice do you have for future Study Abroad Students?
My advice would be to know that things do not always go your way when traveling, and the ability to adapt and move on is imperative. Also, I would recommend bringing lots of socks and a luggage weight. I would highly recommend bringing a camera and documenting your experience through a blog, journal, scrapbook, or a combination of these mediums. I would advise traveling before the program, after the program, or during the break in order to make the most out of being abroad and on a new continent. This is worth your time and money, especially since once you fly to Europe, flights or trains between countries are relatively cheap and easy to use.