By Sydney Jenkins
Paros is my first trip abroad and my first trip on a plane. When I started classes at IU 3 years ago, I was told many times about the study abroad opportunities available. If you had asked me then if I thought I would go- or even apply- I would’ve said the probability was next to zero. It seemed impossible- how could I make such a big decision? How could I go so far away? How could I make such a commitment… alone? Truly when I started my classes I felt completely alone. We were still within the tailend peak of covid; people felt distant and I didn’t know how to engage with my community. I was scared. It wasn’t until this past academic year that I found myself making the necessary steps to break the division I was feeling. Despite all my fears, I put myself into multiple group productions, got involved in student organizations, and really began to reach out to the people around me. With community, hard things became easier, big decisions started to feel possible, and I hesitantly set my eyes on Paros. But even after I was accepted into the program and making my travel plans, as the day of my flight crept closer I still had so many doubts running through my head. What if something goes wrong? What if it’s too hot? What if everyone doesn’t get along? …What if I hate it? And as I sit here sweating miserably, feet aching, and desperately trying to avoid thinking about the bugs hiding in the grasses we trek through; I am ecstatic. I am absolutely in love with Paros. One might assume that it must be the island view that makes this trip worth it. While I often stare in awe at the mountainside and blue shores- what captivated me most is the community I have found here.
