Scarlett Leckie's Experience at HUG

What made you decide to participate in the HUG program?

I have always had a passion for traveling, and I liked the variety of places included in the specific program.

What was it like attending HUG and living in Greece?

Attending HUG felt like a dream; going to new countries every other week was so fun. Living in Greece was a great learning experience. I loved the chance to get immersed in the culture and the deep history of the country.

What did you learn? How did you grow?

I learned so much while abroad, but most importantly I gained a new perspective on the world and a new appreciation for the different cultures I was blessed to be a part of.

Being abroad for 3 months caused my faith to grow in enormous ways. Exploring the places that Jesus walked and talked was so eye-opening and brought me closer to God.

How were you challenged?

Living with 30 other people can be quite challenging, but we all learned to work with each other and felt like a family by the end of the trip.

What was your favorite aspect of HUG?

My favorite aspect of HUG was the home we had at the Artemis along with the many adventures in other countries we were able to visit. One of my favorite memories of the trip was exploring one of the great pyramids in Giza. Egypt was truly a place I will never forget.

What do you wish people knew about HUG?

I wish people knew that HUG was the program with the most variety; if you are looking for a constant adventure, Greece is the trip for you.

What would you say to others thinking about attending the HUG program?

Do it! Committing a whole semester to an abroad trip is a big step, but it is so worth it.

How do you see the world differently after studying abroad?

Studying abroad has given me a whole new perspective on the world. It caused me to appreciate the differences that the world has to offer. Getting outside myself and seeing the world from others’ eyes was the best part of the semester.

Scarlett Leckie attended the spring 2019 Harding in Greece (HUG) program.