Since arriving in Japan, everything seems new and different. I never thought I would find myself living and studying a language in a country on the other side of the world. Getting off the plane, I immediately realized that even the small things are different. I’ve been to many airports,… read more
Global Ambassador
Living My Lifelong Dream: Texas to Japan
As a first-generation college student, studying abroad once felt like an impossible dream. The only country I had ever visited outside the U.S. was my birthplace, Mexico. And even then, I was always with family, surrounded by a familiar language and culture. Becoming the first in my family not only… read more
Start Before You’re Ready, Don’t Prepare to Begin: Spontaneity in Australia
Like deciding to attend the University of Texas at Austin right before the deadline to accept admission, I waited until the absolute last minute to finalize my Australian exchange offer. I’m not sure why I wait to make important life decisions. Maybe my hesitancy is due to the fear of… read more
From Rural Texas to Mexico and Seoul: Studying Abroad as a First-Generation Student
A Dream I Never Thought Possible As the plane touched down at Incheon International Airport, a flood of memories from my school days at Kerens ISD and la Escuela Primaria Pánfilo Natera washed over me. I thought of the afternoons spent tackling college-level math, seeking help from Mr. Nick, and… read more
Seeking Discomfort: Embracing Adventure and Growth in Chile
When I first drove into Santiago from the Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport, the sight of the Andes Mountains filled me with both serenity and excitement. After over a year of meticulous planning — completing checklists, securing clearances and meeting study abroad requirements — I was finally about to embark… read more
Discovering the Unexpected in Australia
Hi! My name is Carolina Alvarez, and I’m a sophomore majoring in psychology with a business minor. Last semester, I applied for an exchange program at the University of Sydney in Australia on a whim. Initially, I went through the lengthy application process on the off-chance I would be accepted.… read more
Embracing Life and Learning in Sydney
Before arriving in Sydney, I was honestly a little scared about studying abroad. I was excited to explore what my life would be like in Australia for the next few months, but I was also hesitant about being all by myself 8,000 miles away from home. Many people asked why… read more
Living the Impossible – One European City to Another
Reflecting on Where I Am I’m just about at the two-month mark of my semester abroad in Edinburgh, Scotland, and each day, I still walk around slightly dumbfounded at my new reality. Thinking back to a year ago, I did see myself on a study abroad program in Scotland. This… read more
Celebrating New Beginnings in Singapore
The moment I landed at Changi Airport after a 24-hour flight with two suitcases in the pouring rain, I knew my life was rapidly changing. After hours of running around the city for an eSIM card and a pillow, it finally hit me that I would spend the next 17… read more
Exploring the Arts in London
Hello friends! My name is Anya, and I am living in London this semester while studying biochemistry at University College London. It has officially been a month since I arrived. So far, London has been magical. The art, the history, the academics — I am in love with the momentum… read more