Category Abroad and Beyond

Figuring out where to go, preparation strategies before departure, exploration tips while you are abroad, and how to make the most of your experience once it is over.

A caled version of the exterior of the Hogwarts castle at Harry Potter Studios in London is lit in hues of dark blue and black. The building is snowy and looks like a magical winter wonderland.

Building Friendships in Britain

Abroad and Beyond College of Natural Sciences Colleges and Schools Countries England Exchange Programs Global Ambassador United Kingdom

November 10, 2023

One month into classes in a new country and I’ve never been in a more different school environment. Classes are almost every day, but I only have one or two daily. Instead of weekly homework assignments, I do a few…

A group of students sit on a rock in front of a large lake and a mountain with snow in the distance.

Pre-Departure Travel Tips

Abroad and Beyond Affiliated Programs Exchange Programs Faculty-Led Programs Peer Notes Programs

November 8, 2023

Congratulations! You made it through the application process and have been accepted to your desired program. Are you ready to take the world by the horns? This post outlines a few things you must take care of before going abroad.…

Two students stand back to back with one arm up in the air drawing the attention to the Eiffel Tower behind them while on a busy street in Paris.

One Day at a Time

Abroad and Beyond Colleges and Schools Countries Exchange Programs France Global Ambassador Italy Moody College of Communication

October 31, 2023

From Brussels to Barcelona and Amsterdam to Rome. A couple of hours by train is all it takes to travel from one country to another. Our weekends consist of booking last-minute trips to neighboring countries and putting together enough money…

A student wearing a blue UT t-shirt kneels while overlooking ancient ruins.

Faculty-Led Program in Guatemala and Belize

Abroad and Beyond Belize Countries Faculty-Led Programs Global Ambassador Guatemala May Term Summer Programs

October 20, 2023

Living and working near a UNESCO World Heritage Site, learning the Mayan history through first-hand experience with stunning archaeological sites, understanding colonial influence through renowned museums and traveling throughout two of Central America’s most culturally and environmentally rich nations. All…

Student in blue raincoat capturing a photo at the base of a waterfall.

Finding Peace in Fast-Paced Panama

Abroad and Beyond College of Natural Sciences Colleges and Schools Costa Rica Countries Exchange Programs Global Ambassador Panama

October 18, 2023

A picture is worth a thousand words, but a moment is worth a lifetime. There have been so many moments since arriving in Panama during which I must pause and fully absorb my surroundings, snapshotting my experiences like photos in…

An observation area overlooking the sea, port, beach and the Roman amphitheater.

A Successful Failure

Abroad and Beyond College of Natural Sciences Colleges and Schools Countries Exchange Programs Global Ambassador Spain

October 12, 2023

Last Saturday was a series of failures. I am spending the semester in Barcelona and after my first week of classes here, my friend and I tried to buy tickets for a trip to Tarragona for the weekend. The trip…

View from the plane of the sunrise. There are hues of deep blue, purple and pink.

Morocco: Part 2

Abroad and Beyond College of Liberal Arts Colleges and Schools Countries Exchange Programs Global Ambassador Morocco

October 10, 2023

Five years ago, during one life-changing month, I fell completely in love with this country. It was particularly transformative because it was my first time flying on a plane, solo traveling and traveling outside the country. I discovered a place…

Partly cloudy skies on a blue, sunny day in Australia. A coastline is in the background as shrubs and greenery with pink, red, and yellow flowers are in the foreground.

From Australia to America: Cross-Ocean Communication

Abroad and Beyond Australia Colleges and Schools Countries Exchange Programs Global Ambassador School of Architecture

September 8, 2023

I write this post from Seven Mile Beach National Park in Gerroa, Australia. I have no cell service and highly unreliable cellular data, essentially off-grid. Most other times I wouldn’t mind a getaway to nature, especially one that involves two…

The back of a woman during their walk down a paved sidewalk with many trees lining the walkway. The woman wears a traditional Korean skirt and holds a black umbrella.

The End of An Age: Turning 20 in Korea

Abroad and Beyond Affiliated Programs College of Liberal Arts Colleges and Schools Countries Global Ambassador South Korea Summer Programs

August 18, 2023

Three days after I landed in Seoul, the populace around me suddenly became a couple of years younger. In South Korea, you are considered to be 1 on the day of your birth, and you continue to gain a year…