“I’ve learned that if you want to experience something, you can't overthink it—you just have to get up and do it. Traveling can be a little hectic and crazy at times, but stepping out of my comfort zone has shown me that it usually all turns out all right in the end,” reflected Grant Palte, a physics major who is on the Abroad in Cyprus: Gen Ed Themes Sustainability and Health and Well-Being program.
Students on the four week program choose to enroll in one of two courses in the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Geography or the College of Nursing, where they examine the geography of the European Union and the sustainability challenges that accompany them.
“My mother encouraged me to take the leap, mainly because she never got the opportunity to study abroad,” recalled Palte, enrolled in the Department of Geography’s course taught by Stavros Constantinou, a native of Cyprus. “Coming from a small town in Northwest Ohio, I had never been to Europe before, so I wanted to push myself to see incredible places like Cyprus firsthand.”
While in country, the group gets a unique look at life in Cyprus and the incredible natural beauty that it offers. Through excursions Venetian Walls of Nicosia, the Troodos Mountains, Aphrodite’s Rock and more, students gain a comprehensive experience in a new culture.
“This program has really opened my eyes to how massive and diverse the world is. Getting to experience different cultures and climates has been invaluable. In my future career in physics research, being able to adapt, collaborate and communicate across different backgrounds is just as important as the technical skills,” said Palte.
Palte’s favorite part of the program was planning an excursion with some of the friends he made while abroad to the Akama peninsula, using the independence and confidence skills gained while studying abroad to further curate his experience.
“We visited the Baths of Aphrodite and hiked Aphrodite's trail to the peak of Moutti Tis Sotiras. The landscape on the way up was amazing, but nothing prepared us for the breathtaking views of the crystal-clear blue water, rolling hills and rocky beaches at the summit.”