Before You Go
There are a lot of things I wish I had thought about more before leaving, especially when it came to packing. I was so excited to get out into the field that I kind of forgot to take a second and realize I was also going to Greece. Most of what I brought was focused on fieldwork, specifically for boat surveys, which honestly all worked out really well, but I do wish I had brought more cute, light, breathable clothes for everyday life.
I would also recommend bringing more “just in case” things like medications, basic first aid, and small comforts from home. I know this isn’t super helpful, but somehow you will end up needing both more and less than you think. You might have access to stores and pharmacies, but they may not have what you need or the brands you are used to.
Make sure you have copies of all your important documents and cards, and that someone back in the U.S. has a copy as well. Notify your bank before you leave, and check that your card does not have international fees. Depending on where you are going, it can also be helpful to bring extra passport photos and look into any vaccination requirements ahead of time.
Financially, try to be as realistic as possible. Even with funding, unexpected costs will come up, and things do not always go according to plan. Most importantly, go into the experience with an open mind and try not to compare it to others. Your experience will be your own, no one has a perfect one, so just take it day by day and live it to the fullest.
Check out what I brought
During
This is your time to gain experience and see how your perspective changes, so stay flexible and learn to adapt quickly. Things will not always go as planned, especially in fieldwork settings where schedules, weather, and sea conditions are constantly changing, and learning to adjust and just go with the flow is a big part of the experience, even if it’s hard at first. Yet at the same time, make sure you take care of yourself, even when it feels like you should just push through, because your health and safety are the most important thing. Whether it is dealing with heat, seasickness, exhaustion, socializing too much or not eating enough, those challenges can build up quickly if you ignore them.
One thing I wasn’t expecting was feeling homesick. I had already been away from home at university for two years and gone long periods without seeing family, but about halfway through it hit me, maybe it was the distance or the time difference. My advice for that is to take a breath, look around you, try to call people when you can, and find small things that remind you of home. For me, it was the sky. It might sound a little cliché, but realizing I was seeing the same sun, moon, and stars made me feel closer to the people I missed. It is completely normal to feel that way, but just remember it is temporary, so allow yourself to feel it while still taking in everything around you. Some of the most meaningful moments come from the unexpected, so lean into the experience and make the most of it.
After
Leaving was exponentially harder than I could have ever thought it would be. Saying goodbye to Samos, the people, and the memories felt like I was leaving a part of myself behind, while at the same time feeling so grateful for every experience, both the good and the challenging. Stepping back into my “old” life felt strange at first, seeing the same places but with a slightly different feeling and meaning attached to them. You might feel a little out of place, or like it’s hard to put your experience into words, and that’s okay. You’ve grown and changed in ways that aren’t always obvious, and it can take time for everything to catch up, so let yourself feel all of it. I wish I could say there’s a perfect way to handle coming home, but honestly, even months later, I still find myself wishing I could go back to Samos, to that summer and the people I met along the way. Yet I’ve come to realize that leaving doesn’t mean it’s over. The experiences, lessons, and relationships you built don’t just disappear, they become a part of how you move forward. You get to carry that version of yourself into whatever comes next, and that’s what makes it all so meaningful.