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 in age on the first of January each year after… read more
Discovering South Korea
Leaving home changes you. After deciding to leave Brazil to study in Texas, I learned that changing our environment can shape who we are, the decisions we make and the people we strive to be. And now, my decision to travel to South Korea has profoundly impacted me as a… read more
Preparing to Study Abroad? Here’s What You Should Pack
Before embarking on your study abroad adventure, your preparations will include packing, of course. Packing is a crucial step that is often overlooked until the last minute, but it should be considered with extreme importance. Making sure you pack the necessary items will save you money and help you avoid… read more
Africa Is Now
About halfway through my internship program, I became overwhelmed by countless power outages, a variety of native bugs, the inescapable Senegalese heat and frustrating language barriers. My second summer class had also started, and my days felt long and dreadful. I kept asking myself, “What am I doing here?” and… read more
Buen Provecho
“¡Buen provecho!” exclaimed Doña Dilia, my homestay mom, as she served us a steaming bowl of vegetable soup and a plate of tamales. The genuine warmth in her voice and the twinkle in her eyes encapsulated the essence of Guatemalan hospitality. “Buen provecho,” I replied, grateful for the delicious meal… read more
Shanghai Serenade
After six long years and a global pandemic, I was back in China. I arrived in Shanghai two days before my academic program began to get adjusted to the city that I would call home for the summer. East China Normal University is in the Putou District of Shanghai, so… read more
Mentally Preparing for Studying Abroad
As you prepare to embark on your study abroad journey, your mind will be swarmed with mixed emotions. In certain moments, you will experience insurmountable excitement as you visualize yourself studying and living in the magical country you’ve chosen. However, this moment can transform into intense feelings of anxiety, which… read more
Living in a Medieval City
During my last night in Siena, I sat at Piazza di Campo and watched people pass by for one last time. Even at 11 p.m., it was full of life, with various couples sitting throughout the space, toddlers giggling as they ran from their parents and groups of friends listening… read more
Coming Home
For the duration of the summer, I’ve been blessed with an opportunity to intern with House of Bacoro, a cosmetic store in the center of Dakar, the capital of Senegal. On the surface, House of Bacoro is a mere beauty supply store, but if you dig a little deeper into… read more
Summer in Copenhagen
Getting acclimated It took a while to get comfortable in Denmark because it was so different from what I experienced in the U.S. Firstly, I rented a bike for my commute to class and around the city. The biking culture in Denmark is intense. Everyone seemed to be a professional… read more
