Overseas, she does not speak the language (Athens)

There was no way, in this economy, that Renee was going to pay an arm and a leg in student loans for an American university. The British were hardly any help, either, but Renee saw many opportunities for cheap schooling and financial aid on the continent. The prospect of spending her formative years in Athens amongst all the architecture and with sunny weather was much too alluring, even with the language barriers

The student council president, debate team captain, yearbook committee member, and hockey and softball player American was a shoe-in for the University, and such a momentous occasion provided an obligatory trip for the whole family to Greece - not just Renee and her parents and her brother Marcus, but also her surviving grandparents. Everyone was looking forward to a trip with historic tours and, even Renee, a beach view.