Studying abroad in London has been one of the most transformative experiences of my life. Every day, I find myself in awe, pinching myself as I walk through streets filled with history, culture and endless opportunities. It still feels surreal to be here, surrounded by so much life and energy,… read more
Embracing Fall in Edinburgh
This week marks my fifth week in Edinburgh, and time seems to crawl and fly by simultaneously. While I’ve settled into a routine and feel more at ease with the rhythm of the city, I still wake each morning slightly astonished that I am living abroad. Although the novelty of… read more
Touch of Tech Transformations
Although it feels like I just stepped off the plane at Incheon Airport, the first two months of my study abroad program have somehow already flown by. As someone with no prior experience with Korean culture, my journey has been both enlightening and exciting. The transportation here is incredibly convenient… read more
Seoul Searching: A One-Month Reflection
My study abroad experience almost ended one week before it began, when I discovered my passport and visa were stolen from the Korean Consulate’s mailbox. Luckily, after several back-and-forth phone calls and an urgent flight to Dallas, I had everything I needed to board my flight. I had dreamed of… read more
A Letter From Madrid
Hi everyone! I’m writing to you from Madrid. I want to share my experience in this program so you can get a taste of what it’s like to study abroad in Madrid as an international student. I’m a senior at The University of Texas at Austin, majoring in communication… read more
Embracing Shanghai’s Academic and Cultural Richness
My exchange journey at Fudan University in Shanghai, China, marks an exciting new chapter in my academic career. Shanghai, my hometown and a global economic hub, offers a vibrant multicultural atmosphere that perfectly complements Fudan’s renowned academic environment. This exchange provides an opportunity to not only further my studies but… read more
From Tuscany to Amsterdam: A Global Journey
“Hallo! Mijn naam is Diana, aangaan!” No, that’s not a typo. That’s how you say ‘hello’ in Dutch. The second part means, “My name is Diana, it’s nice to meet you.” Interesting, right? In between clusters of syllables, the hard gs, soft js and vowels that stick together, Dutch has… read more
One Month in Korea: New Friends, New Perspectives
I’m wrapping up my second week at Korea University, almost a month after arriving in Seoul. The whirlwind of new experiences has been both exhilarating and eye-opening. I vividly recall the mix of nerves and excitement when I bid farewell to my father at the airport. Traveling alone for the… read more
Panama: Energy and the Environment
Navigating New Beginnings If someone had told me in high school that I would be studying abroad during my first semester of college, I would have called them crazy. The reality of spending my entire first semester of college in Panama did not truly sink in until I arrived at… read more
Lessons from the Metro in Kazakhstan
Growing up in Austin, I avoided public transportation at all costs. I am notoriously directionally challenged and tend to get on the wrong bus every time I try to navigate Cap Metro. So naturally, I was nervous about using public transportation in Almaty, Kazakhstan, where I would live for a… read more