From Florida to Greece: Aviation Education Gone Global

Building on a Family Flight Legacy

For Piper Kremer (’27), taking a tour of the Daytona Beach Campus marked the definitive beginning of her journey as an Aeronautical Science student.

"Embry-Riddle immediately stood out because of the high-tech feel and striking modern architecture,” she said. “Shortly after touring the Flight Simulation Center and flight line, my mom turned to look at me with excitement and asked, ‘Is this the one?’ and without a doubt in my mind, I replied, ‘Yes!'”

Aviation is a part of Piper’s family history. Her great-grandfather and great-great-uncle are in the Illinois Aviation Hall of Fame and earned the Endurance Flying Record, and several of her family members have a passion for aviation and flight. However, it wasn't until she took a discovery flight in high school that she found her own passion for aviation, separate from her relatives.

Piper wanted to continue learning about aviation beyond the classroom in clubs and organizations that focused on career development. She joined Women in Aviation and Airline Pilots Association Aviation Collegiate Education to network with industry professionals and attend aviation workshops.

“Learning directly from professionals has provided valuable insight into airline operations, career development and the importance of maintaining the highest standards of safety and professionalism,” she said.

Piper embraced Daytona Beach's beautiful beach environment by joining the Surf Club and honing her leadership skills in Sigma Sigma Sigma’s Eta Tau chapter. As she expanded her circle and grew her skills around campus, she felt the urge to gain new experiences off campus as well.

When Learning Turns Experiential

During the summer of 2026, Piper traveled to Greece through an Embry-Riddle study abroad program. The program she chose partnered with Aegean Airlines, and students spent a week observing and studying European aviation history, practices and unique technology.

“[When choosing a program], Greece especially stood out to me because I'd always been fascinated by its ancient history, culture and beautiful landscapes,” she said. “I hoped it would allow me to grow both personally and professionally while experiencing a country I had always hoped to visit.”

The curriculum was designed to be immersive. After classroom discussions, the students visited the sites and saw firsthand examples of what they had just learned.

“Whether discussing the logistics of transportation between islands, exploring ancient cities or learning from aviation professionals, every experience became part of the classroom,” she said. “Those real-world experiences made the lessons much more powerful and reminded me that learning can often happen outside four walls.”

Those lessons made the site visits to Aegean Airlines and connecting with the employees that much more impactful. Piper even had the opportunity to get hands-on by flying the airline’s full-motion simulator.

“I was inspired by the people we met and their willingness to share their knowledge and passion for aviation,” she said. “It reminded me that aviation is a small community where learning from one another is one of the greatest opportunities we have. Having the chance to fly one of their full-motion simulators was an unforgettable experience and one I'll remember throughout my career.”

Lasting Impacts of Studying Abroad

Piper learned that studying abroad isn’t just another way to travel or earn course credits — it enhances your perspective on your life and career by teaching you to embrace others’ perspectives.

“Experiencing a different culture pushes you outside your comfort zone and helps you become more adaptable, open-minded and independent,” Piper shared. “Some of my favorite memories came from talking with locals, trying new foods, navigating unfamiliar places, exploring the islands and simply experiencing everyday life in Greece.”

Piper also formed a close bond with her cohort during the program, reminding her of the value of building meaningful connections in both social and professional settings.

“There's something special about sharing a study abroad experience; it creates bonds that are difficult to replicate,” she said. “In an international industry like aviation, these experiences are equally valuable as anything taught in traditional settings.”

And while many aviation organizations share similar practices, principles and values, Piper understood by the end of her trip how intricate yet diverse the aviation industry truly is. She finished the program with both unforgettable memories and a newfound clarity on her career path.

“Seeing how the field of aviation connects people, cultures and countries makes me realize that the industry is even bigger than I had imagined,” she emphasized. “As I move forward, I will employ the technical knowledge I gained and the perspective, adaptability and appreciation for the global aviation field I acquired throughout my time there.”

There’s No Place Like Home

Now back at Embry-Riddle for her second-to-last semester, Piper is working toward becoming a pilot. With the support of her professors, peers and instructors, she is excited to finish her undergraduate studies.

After graduating, Piper hopes to remain at Embry-Riddle as a flight instructor.

“In this capacity, I will be able to increase my flight hours and stay in the competitive and supportive environment Embry-Riddle provides while teaching the future generation of pilots,” she said. “This will also help me to achieve my long-term goal of becoming a captain at a major airline.”