Hifsah Ayub spent the summer of 2024 studying abroad in Cyprus. As a senior majoring in Environment, Economy, Development, and Sustainability, she received the Wolfe Study Abroad scholarship and additional funding from the Gary Sharpe Field School and Phi Kappa Phi. This support enabled her to participate in the Abroad in Cyprus: Gen Ed Themes Sustainability and Health and Well-Being program. During her four weeks in Cyprus, she took the course Geography of the European Union and the Challenges of Sustainability.
During her time in Cyprus, Hifsah put together a personal website sharing reflections and day to day experiences on the program. Check out some excerpts below and visit her website for more first-hand experiences with studying abroad.
May 25: Our first stop was an amphitheater that had been rebuilt and was historically used for various events, including animal fights. The acoustics were fascinating; if you stood at the center and spoke, your voice could be heard clearly in the seats. Before visiting the amphitheater, we viewed detailed mosaics. The view from the amphitheater was breathtaking. I could see fields stretching all the way to the coastline and extending far into the distance.
May 27: My roommates and I explored Upper (Pano) Paphos and shopped for gifts. I loved getting to explore more. The buildings in Upper Paphos are so colorful and unique. It gives off a completely different vibe from American cities. I love how homey everything feels and how picturesque it is.
May 28: We went on the Evis safari to the Akamas Peninsula, starting with a shipwreck and a hike where we saw frogs and dragonflies. I'm not usually the type to enjoy hikes, but this was probably my favorite hike of all time. We hiked to see the Avakas Gorge. Then, we set off in the jeep to the Blue Lagoon again, this time on land instead of by boat. We had to do some off-roading but it was pretty fun! After the Blue Lagoon we ate at the Baths of Aphrodite Restaurant again. This time I ordered the seafood spaghetti which I enjoyed. We then visited Aphrodite's Baths. Some people swam in the water, which is supposed to be rejuvinating and bestow beauty and fertility upon those who bathe in it.
May 29: The hotel for our farewell dinner was beautiful. It was called Coral Beach Hotel & Resort. The food options were outstanding. I particularly liked the Loukoumades, a Cypriot donut covered in honey. I also liked the okra, cauliflower, and pasta. This was definitely my favorite place to eat during the trip, making it a fitting and delightful end to our study abroad. We enjoyed traditional Cypriot music & dancing and took lots of pictures.
It’s hard to choose just one favorite experience, so I’ll share a few that truly stood out. Visiting the capital city was incredible—not only for its vibrant cultural diversity and the many represented cultures, but also for the unique experience of seeing the Green Line divide (aka the United Nations Buffer Zone). Learning about the history behind it in class, particularly in relation to the Turkish invasion, added so much depth to what we were seeing firsthand. It’s such a vibrant city, filled with character! Another highlight was visiting Linos Winery in Omodos. The views there were unlike anything I’d ever seen. Cyprus has such diverse landscapes, from beaches to mountains to dry plains, and each area offers its own beauty. So many days I found myself simply in awe of the beauty around me; the aesthetics of traveling to an island is definitely something to be appreciated. Lastly, the safari trip and hike in Avakas Gorge were unforgettable. I’m not usually one for hiking, but I loved this adventure, especially the off-roading jeep experience. This experience pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best way. Knowing I could do that—and enjoy it—makes me want to explore even more.
Studying abroad has a way of fostering personal growth, and traveling solo gave me so many chances to learn about myself. Navigating flights and all the logistics on my own was a challenge, but getting through it made me feel much more confident. I found myself honing in on my passion for design, especially seeing how city design and architecture in Cyprus can influence human health, well-being, and even environmental harmony. In our classes, we explored a lot of history, like the significance of minarets across Europe, which led me to reflect on my own identity as a visibly Muslim woman and the impacts of colonialism on cultural spaces. Comparing American and Cypriot culture, too, was eye-opening—the relaxed, safe vibe of island life was such a contrast to the fast-paced American lifestyle. I wrote more about this on my website in my reflections!
I’d encourage anyone studying abroad to approach it with an open, reflective mindset. Be ready to see and feel things that might be unfamiliar, and embrace those moments. Dive deeply into the parts of your program that resonate with you, and you’ll get so much out of the experience if you’re willing to. Like everything in life, the more you put into it, the more you’ll grow.
