Shayera spent a term in Athens, Greece, studying at the The American College of Greece.
Budapest, Hungary: A long weekend filled with castles, Christmas markets, interactive museums, and a river cruise featuring views of the iconic Hungarian Parliament Building.
Delphi, Greece: Our final school trip included exploring the ancient Oracle of Delphi and Sanctuary of Apollo, followed by a meal and sunset views from Mount Parnassus.
Malta: A spontaneous day trip that included the Blue Grotto, Mdina, the Three Cities, Upper Barrakka Gardens, and, of course, the “best gelato in Malta.”
Athens, Greece: Visiting the Acropolis and Temple of Athena on two school trips, including a sunrise yoga experience overlooking the city.
Paros, Greece: Enjoying the beautiful beaches and beach clubs with friends on one of our Greek island trips.
Aegina, Greece: A school trip to “Pistachio Island,” exploring ancient temples, swimming, enjoying lunch, and discovering the charming town.
Hydra, Greece: A spontaneous last-minute trip to this peaceful, car-free island, where donkeys are the main form of transportation.
Deree, Greece: Beautiful sunsets, mountains, and greenery surrounded campus every day at the American College of Greece.
Cairo, Egypt: Exploring the newly opened Grand Egyptian Museum, riding camels, cruising the Nile, and taking in the pyramids, bazaars, and museums.
Shayera, Bachelor of Art in Recreation and Leisure Studies, Co-op
Q: Why did you choose your host country and institution?
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I researched exchange options from my first year and chose Deree in Greece for its strong Erasmus student program, warm coastal location, affordability, and central access to Europe. Although it was not a listed option for my program, I strategically saved electives and found transferable courses to make the exchange possible.
Q: What was an average day like in your program?
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I lived in the dorm closest to the metro and Athens city centre, and although it was a 25-minute walk to campus, the scenic streets of Agia Paraskevi made it enjoyable. Small class sizes helped me build meaningful relationships with professors and classmates, while my time outside class was spent with local and exchange students exploring Athens, planning trips, and embracing Greece’s relaxed, social pace of life.
Q: What was one of your favourite experiences from your time abroad?
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I embraced every opportunity to travel, taking advantage of Europe's affordable transportation to visit destinations like Malta, Budapest, Cairo, Paros, Thessaloniki, and the Greek islands, while also enjoying Erasmus excursions, spontaneous adventures, and local traditions. My favourite part was the relaxed atmosphere that encouraged me to say yes to new experiences, from surfing and trivia nights to beach days and Greek name day celebrations.
Q: What was it like to live and learn in another language? (If applicable)
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Although my classes at the American College of Greece were taught in English, I learned basic Greek through my friends and Duolingo to better connect with locals. Using the language in everyday interactions helped me immerse myself in the culture, and I loved the moments when I could communicate naturally enough that people didn't immediately realize I was a visitor.
Q: Were there any challenges? If so, how did you overcome or cope with them?
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Living abroad challenged me to become more independent as I learned to cook, travel, and navigate daily life in a new country. I adapted to shopping at small local markets instead of large supermarkets, and cooking with my roommates and sharing meals with our neighbours became one of the most rewarding parts of the experience.
Q: Did any of your experiences challenge the assumptions you held about your host country or culture?
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Experiencing life in Greece showed me that Canadian culture often falls between the American and Greek ways of life, and meeting students from across Europe and the U.S. gave me a new perspective on our similarities and differences. I also learned that "warm winters" are relative—I quickly acclimatized to the climate and ended up needing a coat shipped from home.
Q: Has this exchange helped you personally, academically or professionally?
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My exchange was a life-changing experience that broadened my perspective, helping me become more open-minded, adventurous, and appreciative of different cultures. Building friendships with people from over 20 countries expanded my global network, while Greece's emphasis on work-life balance taught me the value of slowing down, prioritizing well-being, and embracing spontaneity—lessons that ultimately improved both my academic performance and personal growth.
Q: What were your experiences like when you returned home? Did your understandings about your own life or reflections on your experience change after you came back to Waterloo?
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Returning home was the most difficult part of my exchange, as I deeply missed the friendships, culture, and sense of community I had found in Greece. The experience inspired me to bring that same warmth and hospitality into my own life, and it sparked a lasting passion for travel and exploring more of the world.
Q: If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently?
- I would stress less about the school aspect, obviously your grades are important, but I wish I traveled even more at the beginning instead of worrying so much about courses. Although I did a lot of travel and loved everything I visited I would’ve done even more if I could do it again.
- I may have tried some solo trips, I was nervous at the time to be on my own, but a lot of my friends did solo trips really enjoyed visiting a list of different places during their exchange.
- I’d visit even more of Athens, because it’s such a cool place.
Q: Do you have any advice for Waterloo students thinking of studying abroad?
- Get your ISIC card for student travel discounts, set up an affordable Airalo eSIM, contact the Ottawa visa office early (I found it much more helpful than Toronto), and create FreeNow, Uber, and Bolt accounts before leaving so you can receive verification codes.