I never realized how happy I could be until I came to Greece

I love Greece for so many reasons. The incredible sights and amazing views are just a few of the best things about this country. What I really fell in love with is the culture.

I met so many people who were so proud to be Greeks and who were so steadfast and loyal to the traditions and celebrations that nearly the entire country shares. It felt amazing to me to be so lucky to be a part of so many traditions. Having grown up in both Germany and The United States and having studied in Canada, I find it interesting to compare and contrast between different cultures and people.

To me, Greece has one of the strongest cultures I have ever experienced or had the honor to take part in. I fell in love immediately. The casual mentality behind the culture and language as well- “Xalara” as they say- ultimately brought back my peace of mind.

I never realized how happy I could be until I came to Greece.

The time I spent in Thessaloniki taught me to never stop doing things that you believe are good for you because ultimately you are the only judge of that. No one else knows you- or what would make you happy- better than you. I came to Thessaloniki to work at a Kindergarten for six months which had nothing to do with what I studied- Business. I was supposed to start some intense internship in a consulting firm or some other human resources role to get on track for a serious career, but I decided to come to a city in Greece that I had never heard of to do something I had never done. It was one of the best decisions of my entire life. Not only was I stressed and depressed from business school, but I needed a change of environment.

I never realized how happy I could be until I came to Greece.

One of the biggest things I realized since moving to Thessaloniki is so simple, yet takes forever to truly believe; never doubt yourself. I have doubted myself- and I still do- but I almost always prove that part of my mind wrong and whenever I do, I wish I had never struggled with myself in the first place. You’ve got to have yourself on your side so you always have someone to rely on.

There were so many days where I just wanted to break down and cry because I couldn’t understand a single thing being said around me or to me, and no one else could understand me either. Most of the people at my job did not speak fluent English and some even spoke no English whatsoever. This made things pretty difficult because it was incredibly difficult to communicate questions and concerns to one another. It was one of the most frustrating, most trying experiences I have ever had, but it was so, so worth it. It also made it possible for me to learn to read, speak, and understand Greek so quickly. There is something good to be gained from every situation and the time I lived in Greece has certainly given me incredible experiences and memories to take home.

I traveled to Budapest, Imathia, Xanthi, Meteora, Athens, Kallithea, Kassandra, Nea Kallikrateia, Kallikrateia, Kavourotrypes, Sarti, Platanitsi, Poseidi, Grevena and Crete. I was able to see so many different kinds of beautiful crystal clear green blue waters at the beaches along Chalkidiki, went on countless different kinds of adventures, and met so many interesting people along the way.

Of all those places, I still love Thessaloniki the most. It is amazing to be able to walk through the center of the city by so many ruins and old churches and beautiful sights, not to mention the sea. Sallonica is an incredible city with so much beauty and versatility, that it is hard to match.

I hope this amazing country never loses its beautiful charm, nor the casual and the kind-hearted positive nature that is interwoven into so much of the country’s people and culture.