Final Thoughts

Now that this program is over, I can say that I have studied abroad twice. In reality though, this summer in Greece has not felt like a study abroad at all, nor could it really be neatly folded into that box. I have been studying, and this program has involved much reading, paper writing, and some research. However, the majority of what I learned was on the field. It was in meetings with organizations and in listening to residents share their experiences. 

Much of the work we were doing through the program was heavy– it was difficult emotionally and the heat could be difficult physically. There were times when the perspectives of those working in the situation were so low and negative, and when the work we did was making such a minute difference, that the weight of all that was lacking was too much to bear. 

Contrastingly, through all of it, the spirits of the residents in the camps remained not only strong, but giving. While working to install shading over the Isoboxes inhabited by residents, children would bring me glasses of water. Mothers would cook snacks to bring to us and tissue to wipe our hands with. I did not go on this program to get thanks or gratitude or anything in return, for that matter. However, the strength of these people was shown time and time again in their giving and gracious manner during their darkest hours (weeks, months, years…). 

 At the end of the day, this summer has been entirely different from my last study abroad experience. Both of them were meaningful, yet nothing alike in content. Time and time again over the past five weeks, I felt crushed by an incredible lack of hope and then filled back up again by a morsel of goodness being done in the most unexpected of ways. The progress made has been done by those motivated enough to put themselves in the thick of the situation and start doing something. This crisis, though made to seem incredibly untouchable and unfixable by the major political and structural forces which have caused such instability, truly needs motivated and kind-hearted people with the organizational drive to make change happen. Mouths were fed and residents were clothed by organizations started by just these kinds of people, who wanted to do something and so did. Every time they face a boundary, they find a way to climb over it or dig a tunnel underneath it, because the purpose of their work is driven by a clear and urgent need. 

If I could do this program again, I would. Over and over and over. I know that someday I will find myself back in Greece and perhaps back on Lesvos or in Serres. I would encourage any other students looking to go abroad to look into programs such as these, which work with local communities and NGOs on the ground to form positive relationships and respond to need in a way that builds dignity. For now, I will continue to try to process everything which has passed in the past five weeks, and I will continue to seek out awareness so that I may be a part of the solution as our world rapidly spins.