Morgan Jones

Bio: Hey! My name is Morgan Jones, and I'm from New York City. I'm a freshman at AU majoring in Legal Studies, and I am so excited to be one of your Cornerstone Greece ambassadors!

I joined Cornerstone Greece specifically to step out of my comfort zone. Since my hometown and university are in the Northeast, this program was a great opportunity to expand my horizons by experiencing a new environment and culture.

Outside of academics, I'm interested in sociology, architecture, law, music, and history. Living and studying in Greece has allowed me to explore these passions while experiencing the country's rich history and daily life firsthand.

I'm delighted to be an ambassador for Cornerstone and aspire to capture my authentic experience here overseas. I hope to encourage other students at AU to create their own adventures!

Blog #1: February 17

Choosing to study abroad during my first year in college was a big move. When I first told people, like teachers, coaches, and friends, of my intentions, I was met with an understandable level of skepticism. Admittedly, I was nervous about the decision I'd made up until I moved into my dorm. However, after being here for a month and a half, I can confidently say this was the right decision for me. Whether you're interested in my travels, a prospective study abroad student, or just happened to stumble upon the Cornerstone website, I'm excited to share my journey with you through these entries over the next few months. 

Right after the holiday break, I landed in Thessaloniki on January 7th. As I said before, I was anxious about being on my own in an unfamiliar place, especially one so different from New York and D.C. I've been abroad before, but never for this long or to live and study long-term. Naturally, the nerves started to kick in.  

Thankfully, my roommate, Monette, made the transition a lot easier. After settling in, we took a short walk around the neighborhood, chatting about ourselves, our flights, our first semester, and our excitement for Greece. That moment helped me realize that I'm not alone on this trip. It can be easy to feel isolated when undertaking new, bold, and somewhat daunting experiences. However, surrounding yourself with people who uplift you can make a big difference. The friends I've made through the Cornerstone program have played the biggest role in helping me adjust. After having a very small circle in my first semester, opening up to a large group was not something I expected, but it was certainly something I needed. Seeing so many different people with various experiences and backgrounds share the same nerves, questions, and excitement made me feel pretty connected.  

So, if you ever find yourself in a similar position, my best advice is to meet everyone. Not just the people you knew last semester or whoever lives next door—everyone. You never know who will make your journey one to remember. (And it helps if you have a roommate as cool as mine.)  

Academically, things have been going great. We have two required courses, Modern Greek History and Thessaloniki: A City and its Inhabitants, both of which have given me a lot of insight into Greece's development and the history of the neighborhood we live in. What I like about these classes is how they encourage us to become more familiar and connected with where we're staying. For example, one assignment in our Thessaloniki class required us to design our own neighborhood walking tour. Assignments like these allow my friends and me to explore different areas in the city. All the professors are very helpful, and the students are incredibly welcoming and friendly, making it easy to feel a part of the campus community. 
 
Most weekdays in Thessaloniki have a similar routine. My friends and I will start the day with breakfast (which is so good), then catch the shuttle to class. By late afternoon, we're usually back at the hotel doing homework and figuring out evening plans. Our preferred spot is Thessaloniki's boardwalk. It stretches about 3 miles along the Thermaic Gulf and is  
lined with restaurants, shops, and monuments. Catching the sunset is essential, and when the horizon is clear enough, you can see the sun setting on Mount Olympus. 

Another favorite spot of mine is a neighborhood called Agia Sofia. I head there a few times a week to check out the stores, cafes, and historic sites. Even after sunset, the area stays active with locals, tourists, and students basically every day of the week. There's still a lot for me to try, but my favorite gyro spot is Ο Γύρος της Αριστοτέλους in Aristotélous Square, and I recommend checking out Agora Modiano for olives, spices, and seafood. 

 
For the weekends... To be entirely transparent, I haven't spent a full weekend in Thessaloniki for the past month (let me explain). Before coming to Greece, I didn't realize how easy it was to travel between European cities and countries. A few weeks in, some friends suggested taking a trip outside of Greece, something I never really considered. After looking into it, I figured I could make it work with some good planning and budgeting. Since then, I've been fortunate enough to visit Sofia, Bulgaria; Meteora, Ioannina, Athens, and Delphi in Greece, and I'm actually writing this from Istanbul, Turkey.  

 
I would say these trips have shaped my perspective. Living and attending school in the Northeast, I think I experience few cultural and geographic differences in my daily life. While here, though, I feel like every new place I visit adds a layer to my understanding of the world. The first thing I told my dad when I came back from Bulgaria was, "See a mountain, it'll change your life." I meant it as a joke, but I'd say there's some truth to it. Stepping outside your usual surroundings helps you realize how much there is to see, learn, appreciate, and understand. This is an opportunity that, even a few months ago, I did not imagine I'd have. This is one benefit of the Cornerstone program that I admire.  

So far, I'm very happy with my decision to go abroad. I've built a solid routine, explored new places, met so many great people, and made progress toward stepping out of my comfort zone. I'm so excited to see what the rest of my time in Europe has in store, and I hope you continue to follow along. Thanks for reading—Happy Black History Month! 

– Morgan