I’ve been lucky to take part in a number of SPC examine overseas applications — from the rainforests of Costa Rica to the colourful markets of Morocco — and now to the historic capital of Athens, Greece. Every journey has been distinctive and enriching, however my time in Athens stood out for completely totally different causes than my previous examine overseas experiences.
From the very starting, the best way our professor pitched this journey was spot-on. In different examine overseas applications, you would possibly watch somebody “milk the cow” — observing specialists and listening to them clarify their work. In Athens, you really milk the cow your self. This wasn’t nearly sightseeing or sitting by means of data periods; it was about taking over the duties and duties that the guides and professionals usually deal with.
Probably the most helpful elements of this journey for me was working at Fatima’s store. It gave me a firsthand take a look at operating a small enterprise in a very totally different cultural and financial surroundings. Much more particular was how Fatima and I related over Morocco — a rustic I had visited on a earlier examine overseas. We shared tales about its tradition, markets, and traditions, and that connection made the expertise much more private and significant.
That distinction was highly effective. It challenged me to use my classroom information in real-world conditions, and it validated my SPC expertise by proving that I’m not simply taking courses for credit — I’m really studying, rising, and gaining abilities I can use in my future profession.
If I may, I’d take this journey once more in a heartbeat. Whereas there are nonetheless just a few particulars to refine, I really imagine this must be a best choice for enterprise college students. Athens wasn’t only a vacation spot — it was a classroom, a problem, and an unforgettable expertise multi functional.
– Matthew, SPC Greece Enterprise Research Overseas Program, July 2025
