As I sit in this airport waiting to head to my next destination, I reflect on the eye-opening opportunity this trip has provided. Both inside and outside the classroom, I experienced events that broadened my perspective in ways I never expected.
From a cultural standpoint, this experience taught me about the richness and heritage of other nations. Seeing sights like the Acropolis, I realized the significance of how much people strive for saving their heritage and culture. Despite the fact that there were many conflicts and destructions, people kept on restoring these landmarks, proving the perseverance of humanity. At the same time, it was impressive to see the current accomplishments of humanity, like the Ellinikon project, one of the greatest structural projects in the European Union, which used to be just an old airport.
In addition to gaining knowledge about each firm’s operations, I was able to learn more about the potential future paths of my Industrial Engineering major. In the case of the Piraeus Port, being there allowed me to see on a grand scale how technology, artificial intelligence, and sensors help with ship loading/unloading optimization. The process also enhances the safety of forklift operators and employees by allowing them to control the vehicles from the comfort of their office desks. At ACS, I learned how efficient their distribution system is with sophisticated conveyor belts. These insights allowed me to determine that I have a great passion for managing supply chains and optimizing delivery and distribution systems.
Simultaneously, visits to companies such as Laskaridis Maritime allowed me to become interested in the other part of industrial engineering, which is business and management. Learning more about positioning ships in strategic locations and predicting market fluctuations, as well as fleet optimization, opened up new possibilities for me that were not previously considered. Overall, these professional visits made me interested in several industries.
By far, my biggest piece of advice is to get out there and socialize. There will be some days where you just don’t feel like being too social, and sometimes all you want to do is come home and go to bed. However, forming relationships with the individuals who you travel with can make the entire trip that much more enjoyable. The members of our group always traveled together, and every activity that we participated in became even better because of our company. Through our travels, we supported each other during long days and sleepless nights in strange places, and it created a bond that made the journey very special. For introverts, study abroad is a great place to push yourself.
Practically speaking, my one big piece of advice would be not to bring too much stuff. I ended up bringing far too many pairs of shorts than necessary and by the time we got back to the airport, had to repack into my friends’ bags. While it’s good to pack well, remember that you will be wearing less than you might think.
The best parts of my journey involved interacting with my new friends, particularly when we explored the cultures and enjoyed time on the beach together. These trips helped me create some unforgettable memories that I will treasure for the rest of my life, and without hesitation, I can state that all of us in this trip would gladly repeat our experience if given the opportunity again.
