Gabrielle Bauers ’26

Program: Greece Semester

Major: Strategic Communication Studies

Minor: Data Analytics

Why did you choose to study abroad and how did you decide on this program?

I had originally chosen to apply to Greece because they offer STEM classes. After I had changed my major, I decided to still go to Greece for the history and culture that it provides. Greece is home to one of the oldest societies in the world, beautiful beaches, and it’s easy to travel to other places within Europe. I also had friends who went on the Greece program the fall prior and had amazing things to say about it.

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

There was a grocery store right across the street from my apartment in Athens, and during my time there, I became close with the owner of the store, Mike. Mike gave me the best recommendations for food to buy, taught me some Greek, and occasionally gave me some free stuff. We would ask each other about our days and I learned a lot about the relationship between Greeks and Albanians from him. Mike was one of my favorite people I met there even though he didn’t speak much English and I didn’t speak Greek. I loved going into the store when he was there.

Based on your experiences abroad, what are some of the benefits of spending a semester abroad? How has studying abroad contributed to your personal, academic, and professional development?

When you study abroad, you are forced to have a new level of responsibility and awareness of what is going on around you. I believe that studying abroad has made me more responsible, taught me more how to balance work and play, and taught me about what I want my future job to look like or not look like.

What advice can you offer for CSB+SJU students who are considering or planning to study abroad?

Everything goes by so fast. Make sure to take in every single thing, even the things that you find annoying, you will miss one day. Take pictures of everything and collect as many mementos as you can!