When I first arrived in Greece, I thought the experience would feel like a structured exchange learning, helping, building. But somewhere between long conversations in the office in Tripoli, evening walks after work, and unexpected coffees with strangers who became mentors, the journey started feeling much more personal than professional.
The first half of this exchange has been a mix of learning curves, cultural discoveries, and a surprising amount of self-reflection. I walked in with a very “business” mindset structure, goals, strategy but living and working here has slowed me down in a good way. It taught me that entrepreneurship isn’t only about execution it’s also about people, trust, and the small interactions that define momentum.
One of the moments that changed me most happened during Startup Greece Week. I was surrounded by founders and ecosystem builders who were genuinely curious not just about my idea, but about who I was and why I wanted to build it. Pitching GrowthSphere there felt different from anything I had done before. It wasn’t about proving myself it was about connecting. The feedback I received both encouraging and challenging shaped the direction of my business more than I expected.
Another surprising part of this journey has been networking with the Greek diaspora abroad. Reaching out to Greeks in the UK, US, and Switzerland felt intimidating at first, but those conversations opened my eyes to how outward-looking and supportive this community is. Many shared honest insights about scaling, entering foreign markets, and navigating uncertainty. It was the kind of advice you don’t get from textbooks only from people who have walked the hard road.
Culturally, Tripoli has been its own teacher. From joining locals in weekend Pool, volleyball or spontaneous cricket games with expats, to the warmth of people who treat you like family even when they barely know you these experiences pushed me to adapt, open up, and develop deeper emotional intelligence. They grounded me and made me more aware of how different backgrounds shape how people work, negotiate, and collaborate.
Time management has been another quiet lesson. In Greece, things don’t always move in a straight line some days are fast and packed, others are slow and reflective. Learning to balance my tasks, adjust expectations, and reorganize myself without stress has been an unexpected but valuable skill. It’s made me more resilient and more realistic about running a business.
If there is one thing I would change moving forward, it’s allowing myself to be even more proactive in asking for feedback. The more conversations I have here, the clearer the path becomes for GrowthSphere. I’m learning that entrepreneurship isn’t about having all the answers it’s about staying open, adaptable, and curious.
Halfway through my EYE journey, I already feel different more grounded, more self-aware, and definitely more entrepreneurial. And the best part is that I still have the few months of this experience ahead of me.