Rebecca Peichel

Rebecca Peichel is an Ambassador who studied abroad in Italy and Greece.

Briefly describe a specific cultural experience you had on your trip that made a lasting impression.

Down the street from my apartment in Greece was a small bakery, and being a coffee aficionado, I often found myself taking that route on my way to CYA for class. As the semester progressed, I got to know the family very well, and I found myself visiting them almost daily. There was a mother, father, son and daughter (who were both high school age), but only the mother and son spoke English. They were always more than willing to help me out with my Greek, teaching me words I didn't know, always smiling and willing to converse. They also taught me a lot about the Greek culture, about the government and why melomakarona cookies are important at Christmastime. I felt like a real local when the son waved and yelled hello to me from across the street one day as I was walking through the neighborhood. When my parents came to visit me at the end of my trip, they embraced my family with open arms and bags of cookies. On the last day that I was in Greece, I stopped by the bakery one last time, got my last coffee, and said goodbye. They were sad to see me go, and I'm not ashamed to admit that the goodbye brought me to tears. My bakery family taught me that travelling is so much more than just going to new places, its about making connections with people. Something so simple as getting to know the family down the street can dramatically change the way one experiences a new culture. Even though we didn't always speak the same language, I was able to make a connection with each one of them, and that is something that I will always treasure.

Why did you choose the program in which you participated? 

I chose the program because of the unique opportunity to experience two new cultures in one semester. The Roman-Greco program also has a reputation as being an intense academic challenge, with excellent professors. As a political science major and history minor, it was natural for me to be drawn to a program that offers on-site experiential learning at the very places where democracy was formed and history happened.

Describe your overall study abroad experience.

Studying abroad on the Roman-Greco program was the single most incredible experience of my life. The opportunity to study on location at sites where ancient and renaissance history happened, experience two cultures very different from my own, and use the experiences to grow and learn are very unique to this program. Living in different countries has helped me to expand my world view and challenge myself to live each day to the fullest.

How has the trip affected you? How are you different for having completed the experience?

Since completing this trip, I have grown and changed immeasurably. I know myself much better, and am now always challenging myself to seek out new experiences and opportunities. My world view is much better rounded; when I read about international news in the newspaper every day, it hits much closer to home. I've also learned to value the little things, to not take for granted the things I have here in America, and to have a great appreciation for the way that Greeks and Italians live their lives. I find myself lingering over meals, spending time just talking to people and appreciating relationships with friends and family more; taking time to slow down my fast-paced schedule and appreciate my life and those in it.

What advice do you have for future Study Abroad Students?

Open yourself up to new experiences. Go abroad with expectations and goals, but remember that sometimes the best experiences are totally unplanned and unexpected. Meet the locals, they can teach you so much about the culture. Always look for something new to do or a new place to go, even if its in your own neighborhood. Challenge yourself to experience each day abroad to the fullest.