People!

Anonymous If there's one thing I've learned in my 19 (almost 20!) years, it's that other people matter. Having a good time in life doesn't depend as much on where you are or what you're doing as it does on who you're with. For example, you could be in the most incredible country in the world (read: Greece) but be miserable because you're not with the right people. Fortunately, a week after arriving in Athens with the study away crew, I can say with confidence I am blessed to be a part of this group of students.

If you're ever looking for a quick way to make new friends, I would suggest traveling to a foreign country with a group of 20 college students. Honestly, before we left for Greece I was plagued by the same fears that haunted me in the days before my freshman year at PLU:

What if I don't make any friends? What if everybody thinks I'm weird? Thankfully, both scenarios ended happily.

The students on this trip are some of the friendliest, funniest people I've ever met.

Everyone is easy to talk with and kind-hearted as well (really, what else should I have expected from PLU students?). My roommates in Athens are fabulous, and so are the friends I've made from other apartments. After a week in Athens, I know I'm in the right group of people on the right study away program. This trip has reinforced my theory that people really matter. In the end, the people are what we'll all

remember the most.