Editor’s Note: Emily Schneider, a native of Middlesboro, is spending nine months at the American Farm School, a secondary school and a college, in Thessaloniki, Greece. While doing an internship at the secondary school, where she teaches physical education and tutors English, she will be sharing her experiences with our readers through a regular column. 

Things I have learned while being in Greece:

• Mystery meat all over the world will always be a mystery to me.

• Feta makes everything taste betta!

• Pedestrians are just as — if not more — dangerous than the crazy drivers here in Thessaloníki.

• When someone tells you there is a meeting at 1 p.m. they really mean 2 p.m. at the absolute earliest.

• When the doctor says take off your blouse he means take off EVERYTHING... in front of everyone! Crazy I know.

• And last but certainly not least … flip flops are absolutely and positively forbidden in the country of Greece. There must be at least a two inch heel or more on every shoe you wear! Shoot me!

Oh, and olives dont taste like the olives we know. They will get me drunk, I swear!

Thessaloníki. The place I reside for now. Surrounded by breathtaking views and blue waters, I must admit that I am in a beautiful world. About seven days after I arrived the jet lag finally started to wear off. With a seven hour time difference I found myself waking up at three in the morning tossing and turning, doing push ups and sit ups trying to get my self to fall into a “half awake” sleep. Eventually I achieved four full nights rest, and hope for many to come.

As for my living conditions, a dorm room with two lockers as my closet, a bed and a bathroom on the second floor of the girls dorm is just perfect for me and my 20 pairs of shoes. All in all this is going to be a good life for the next nine months.

The American Farm School, where I am working, is located just outside of the busy city of Thessaloníki. I took my first adventure to the city when I was taken to the doctors office in the middle of chaos. It was a very old, but well respected hospital. I went in and tried to speak my English while attempting to understand the Greek language as well as possible.

“Ummm. Follow to room... take green line... go insideaa... and then take off youra blousa. What!!! I went into the room and waited... “Taka off the blousa” In my mind I was wondering well are you going to give me something to put over myself? But no ... I had to get skin naked in front of complete strangers and stand in the middle of the room as it was x-ray time. What an adventure.

Obviously the language and the culture barriers have already taken their toll. I am starting to know what it feels like to be a foreigner just trying to fit in. It is much harder being alone in such a big city. I had gotten used to the quiet country life over the past summer, and this is a huge culture shock. But I am taking one day at a time and am open to anything and everything! No Holding BACK!!!

A native of Middlesboro, Emily Schneider can be contacted by e-mail at editor@middlesborodailynews.com.