Catherine Berberich
studied at Thessaloniki, Greece - 2005
Major and when you graduated from UND?
B.S. Psychology, May 2007
Where you studied abroad?
2005 calendar year at ACT-Greece; intention was to study abroad for the spring 2005 semester but I loved it so much within the first month I decided to stay for 2 semesters. I also participated with the CoBA spring break opportunity in England and Scotland, spring 2007.
What you are doing now?
Going to Lesley University for my Masters in Intercultural Relations. I have two internships, one at the American College of Thessaloniki office in Boston and the other at WorldTeach, a non-profit, which sends native English speakers overseas to teach English/math/science.
How has your study abroad experience influenced your career decisions/life decisions?
When I first decided to study abroad I was a Pre-PT major with some credits I had some freedom with. After experiencing the world around me I didn't know before I realized PT wasn't the career choice for me. I wanted to be able to show university students what the world can do for our confidence, careers and to just have a good time.
Walking away from my experiences at ACT, I have gained self confidence and trust and an increased awareness to cultural differences. I learned to open my eyes to the world around me. This is a personal experience and growth of the soul that you can’t get from books but only by immersion in an environment where these values are fostered and promoted.
When I think back to my year in Greece I picture the beautiful campus at ACT and beaches of Halkidiki, Santorini, Ios, and Mykonos; the tavernas with their rich, colorful varieties of food and wine, and the friendly people of Thessaloniki. Thessaloniki to me is a hidden gem in Greece. It maintains a culture unparalleled anywhere else in the country.