With a strong connection to Greece, where her father has his roots, and a desire to explore both the language and the culture, her stay abroad turned out to be an unforgettable experience. Today, she is involved as a Civis Ambassador to inspire others to take the plunge and discover the possibilities of studying abroad.

What made you want to participate in an exchange programme, and what was it that attracted you to Athens?
“I have always wanted to try living and studying abroad and experience what life can be like in a different city and at a different university. When I started my programme at SU and found out about the opportunity to study abroad, I knew right away that it was something I wanted to do. Since my father is from Thessaloniki and I have Greek ancestry, I really wanted to go to Greece to see what it is like to live there and improve my Greek language skills. I was particularly attracted to Athens because it is a historical city rich in culture.”

Ina-Jane enjoying her exchange in Greece. Photo: Private

How did Athens live up to your expectations?
“It exceeded my expectations! Before travelling to Athens, I was a bit worried about whether I would make new friends there, as I had heard that it is not a very student-friendly city. But it turned out to be just the opposite! There were many exchange students there, and we got to know each other very quickly. We became almost like a family. During the Easter break, we travelled together and island-hopped along the Cyclades. We would meet almost every day and do activities together.”

What will you carry with you into the future?
“There are many memories from my time in Athens that I will carry with me throughout my life - it has truly been one of the best periods of my life. One particular memory I will never forget was when we went on a student trip to Crete in May, organised by ESN (Erasmus Student Network), with students from all over Greece.”

Ina-Jane on an excursion in Greece. Photo: Private

“On the first evening, there was a traditional festival in Crete, with dancing and music from the island. One of the leaders gave a speech where she talked about her own Erasmus from when she was a student and how valuable it is to experience it right then and there. At that moment, my closest friends and I looked at each other and realised that what we experienced together in Athens was something we would never forget and would carry with us throughout our lives.”

How has your time in Athens influenced your perspective on your education and future aspirations?
“I've truly realised the importance of internationalisation and going out on my own, not only to grow personally but also academically. I have seen how universities work abroad and I have developed my language skills in both English and Greek, which will benefit me in my future career. I have also realised how easy it is to live and study in other countries in Europe, and I feel that I could work abroad in the future. This has also reinforced my sense of European identity - that we can work together as a community.”

What would you say to someone who is hesitant about studying abroad?
“I would say: Go! You will not regret it. It's a great opportunity to live in another country, and you also benefit from financial support. You will learn so much about yourself, about another culture, and have so much fun!”

Ina-Jane with her friends in Greece. Photo: Private

What do you think makes CIVIS exchanges special compared to other opportunities?

“Going on a CIVIS exchange is very valuable and helps a lot because you get a lot of help from both your home university and the host university. There are also events and activities organised through CIVIS abroad, which are fun to participate in. Erasmus+ also provides financial support through a scholarship, which makes it easier to manage.”

Read more about exchange studies within CIVIS Erasmus+