I've never really experienced different cultures outside of the US. I feel grateful to have lived in a diverse area where I've been able to explore many different cultural backgrounds, but most of them have been Asian cultures. I am excited to finally gain a first hand insight into Europian culture. I've taken a semester of German to prepare for Berlin, and have talked with several friends who have spent semesters in both Germany and London, to get an idea of how the cultures will vary from what I'm used to. I have no idea what to expect in modern day Greece. Aside from a love of traditional Greek food and Aristotle, I really don't know much about the culture. This will be the area that I will most likely have the hardest time fitting in with any local residents, since I've been told that platinum blonde hair is an anomally in this region and may result in some interesting attentions. Let's hope that great food, philosophy, and friendly people are the only true stereotypes of the ones I've been informed of thus far. I'm also anxious to see if my German will be good enough to allow me to pass for more than just a tourist. (Just for the record, in Germany a "Berliner" is a type of donut, and not a resident of Berlin. A mistake once made by a former US President.)