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
Global Ambassador
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
S’adapter à Paris: Finding Joy in the Little Things
After two and a half years as an undergraduate at The University of Texas at Austin, I finally felt like I’d adjusted to being a Longhorn. Now that I’m studying abroad in Paris, I’m starting the process of adapting to a new lifestyle again. Though I’ve been in Paris for… read more
Trains, Patatas Bravas and New Friends: Navigating Madrid
Hello! I’m happy to share that I completed my first two weeks of school in Madrid. The initial days were fascinating. Before moving to Spain, I had never ridden the metro on my own — let alone daily. At first, it was scary. I was extremely confused by the line… read more
Overcoming Doubt and Embracing Adventure: My First Two Weeks in Spain
It was hard for me to get excited about my upcoming semester abroad during the weeks leading up to my departure. I had never been to Europe, so I had no idea what to expect. I was afraid of putting Spain on a pedestal, which could lead to disappointment. Friends… read more
From Texan to Tartan: Embracing the Magic of Saying Yes in Scotland
Arriving in Edinburgh felt like stepping into a gothic snow globe. Now, two short weeks later, that feeling hasn’t faded, and I’m confident it will stay with me for the next five months. With its medieval architecture and shadowy cobblestone streets, this city has brought my dream of attending Hogwarts… read more
Braving the Cold in the Happiest Country on Earth
Hi, y’all. My name is Rose, and I am writing to you almost a week after my study abroad program began in Tampere, Finland. Everything here feels different — from the weather to the culture — but I’ve already come to love it! Preparing for the Weather Like many students… read more
First-Gen Study Abroad is Possible!
Hi, friends! My name is Lynda, and I’m writing to you from London. I’ve been here for two months and have endless stories to share. First-Gen Student I was raised in a small town in Mexico, and at 16, I moved to the Rio Grande Valley in Texas. At first,… read more
Exploring Modernity and Tradition in Seoul
I’ve been in South Korea for three months and have had life-changing experiences. I can still remember the anxiety that consumed me as I stepped foot off the plane. Will South Korea be different from what I imagined? How will I adapt to a new culture and language thousands of… read more
Football, Art, and the Great Outdoors: Wild Times in South Korea
Some of my experiences in Seoul, South Korea, have been nothing short of surreal. I wish I could share all of them, but it would take an eternity to put everything in this blog. That said, here are a few highlights. Earlier this semester, I came across a poster at… read more