Say Yes to Everything: Getting the Best Out of Your Time Abroad
- Madison Jennings
- Dec 5
- 2 min read
"Your attitude determines your outcome", a sentiment that Emma Castro has heard many times and whole-heartedly believes. Emma is a junior at Georgia Southern University and was thrown into a brand new environment when deciding to attend the LEAD Greece program.
Having a positive mindset and understanding how blessed she was to be given this opportunity was make or break when meeting new people and enjoying new experiences. No matter what circumstances you are in, who you are around, or what you are dealing with, there is always something to be grateful for.
Halfway through LEAD Greece, Emma found something else to cherish: her newfound friendships. She met her best friend, Laura. This friendship bloomed while they were abroad and has only strengthened since. They have visited each other many times and spent the Fourth of July on a trip together.
While it may be uncomfortable at first, you just have to put yourself out there. As Emma states, "You don't grow when you're comfortable, you grow when you're uncomfortable. That is where one sees the most self improvement."
Emma was motivated to stay involved throughout the entirety of her trip because she knew that this was an experience she could not replicate. This was her first time traveling to Europe and this program provided her with a once in a lifetime experience to do some of the most thrilling excursions, and see some of the most influential sites in the world.
According to Emma, "I am a much better person now than before LEAD Greece because of the opportunities I was given."
A favorite experience of hers was spending the day in Corinth. The tours of the Aphrodite Temples and the Temple of Apollo were truly magical. Throughout the day, everyone was buzzing with excitement which allowed for a wonderful group atmosphere. The day concluded with crossing an item off Emma's bucket list: bungee jumping!
Her entire experience in Greece was surreal. For anyone hesitant to join a LeadAbroad program, Emma says, "Just put yourself out there as much as you possibly can and allow yourself to meet as many people as possible."
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