The giddy excitement reverberating through me stemmed from a decision that had finally come to fruition after weeks of contemplation. I had just booked my first flight of the fall semester to my dream destination – Switzerland! For 119 euros, I’d secured a round trip from my Copenhagen, my new… read more
Reflections on a Month in Copenhagen
My first impression of Copenhagen was the iconic colorful buildings of the Nyhavn Harbor and the countless rows of bikes that commonly adorn postcards. Within a week of arriving, I used my affiliate school’s student discount to rent a bike for the semester and immediately integrated myself into traffic (after… read more
Growth and Exploration in Seoul
I have been in Seoul for less than two months, and it has already been a whirlwind experience. I started my classes and have almost fully adjusted to the lifestyle here. Each day, I get to experience something new. Although I have experienced some homesickness, the joy of studying abroad… read more
Funding Your Study Abroad with the Gilman Scholarship
Are you worried that you won’t be able to fund a study abroad experience? If you’re a Federal Pell Grant recipient, then this blog is precisely what you need for a better understanding of some resources that could help you finance studying abroad. The Gilman Scholarship is just one of… read more
Annyeonghaseyo from Korea
Pre-Departure As a first-generation Texan Korean American, I can’t count how many times I’ve said the word “Annyeonghaseyo.” Balancing two cultures has always been “normal” for me. Within the community at the University of Texas at Austin, many people are unfamiliar with Korean culture. I had the unique opportunity to… read more
Finding Hygge in Copenhagen
After spending my last summer in Europe, I wasn’t expecting Copenhagen to be much different from other major cities. I figured Copenhagen would be loud, noisy and chaotic. But as I began to settle in, I quickly realized that Copenhagen had a unique charm that set it apart. The Danish… read more
Embracing Discomfort Teaches Valuable Life Lessons
It’s unbelievable how big and small the world can feel simultaneously. Yesterday, from where I was standing on an Australian beach, I imagined zooming out via Google Maps to the rest of the world. In my imagination, I was a minuscule dot at a single moment in time. Yet everything… read more
Tips for Helping Anxious Family Cope with Your Time Abroad
As a student, going abroad to experience new cultures and sights stirs feelings of excitement and anticipation. However, it can also brew feelings of anxiety within your family. Though your relatives’ concerns are valid, family members should understand that studying in a new country opens the door to a world… read more
The Lasting Impact of Studying Abroad
My experience with traveling abroad began when I was young. My family moved to England and France for my dad’s job, and I loved my childhood experiences in both countries. Looking back at those years living in different cultures, I realized what an impact they made on my current growth… read more
Building Strong Democracies: Elections, Lawmaking and Civic Education
Since early June, I’ve had the privilege of carrying out my fellowship with the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) in Panama City, Panama. Working closely with the Institute of Democratic Studies (INED) at the Electoral Tribunal of Panama, I have collaborated with some of the sharpest… read more
