Greyhound Summer Spotlight: Melissa Elefonte '27
BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- Today we debut our Summer Spotlight series with women’s lacrosse student-athlete Melissa Elefonte.
BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- Today we debut our Summer Spotlight series with women's lacrosse student-athlete Melissa Elefonte. Melissa took part in Moravian's The Iberian Experience from May 17-25 as part of the Elevate program and Moravian's Global Greyhound Short-Term Travel Program. The trip explored how Spain and Portugal, two of Europe's oldest cultures that influenced entire continents, formed as nations. The travel traversed central Spain where participants visited castles, museums, palaces, and cathedrals to explore historical places in Madrid, Segovia, Ávila, and Salamanca. In Portugal students explored Aveiro, Coimbra, and Lisbon.
Melissa talks about her experience:
- Our trip was nothing short of amazing. We visited many historical cathedrals, churches and landmarks. There was such interesting history to be learned. We tasted food and spoke to locals and of course did our fair share of shopping!
What made this experience appealing to you?
- I was really taken away by all the architecture. I would have never expected the building, streets and landscapes to stick out so much. It truly feels like a different planet in the best way. The colors, patterns and styles are nothing like the pictures. This experience would have been what it was without professors Carmen Ferrero and Nilsa Lasso-von Lang!
How does this experience relate to your career or life aspirations? What are you looking to personally get out of it?
- As for my life aspirations I truly believe knowledge comes from new experiences and new places. We learn so much by being in new environments and surrounded by things outside of our comfort zone, by having to adapt, we learn. Traveling is truly a privilege, and I am grateful I have been able to have the opportunity to and to continue to.
How has your athletics career prepared you for this role?
- One thing that my athletics career has prepared me for this role that stood how was how to work with other people. Tracking to a different country means being around people who come from different backgrounds and speak different languages. Being on a team has allowed me to develop the skills to learn how to navigate new people who may differ from I. Being on a team teaches how to connect to people and bring this skill to a country with a language barrier really helped not only with communication but emotionally.
What are you looking forward to for this upcoming year for your sport?
- I am really excited to meet the incoming class. The graduation class of 2025 did such a good job of making Moravian Women's lacrosse one family. I can't wait to continue this for the program and continue to meet life long friends.
Is there anything else you are looking forward to this summer outside of this experience?
- I am a nanny for a few families and can't wait to be surrounded by all the kids at my lake. I love playing and swimming with all of them!
Final thoughts:
- Cultural shock is indeed a real thing, and it's completely normal to feel overwhelmed at times. Be patient with yourself, adjusting to a new environment takes time. It's easy to get caught up in everything around you. Give yourself space to process all the new sites, sounds and routines. It's OK to take time for yourself…Self-care is a part of the journey!
