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
Abroad Experiences
A Simple Guide To Voting Abroad
Traveling abroad, especially living abroad as a student, is an exciting time. It can feel very busy as you are settling into a new culture and probably taking a deeper dive into a new language. But there are ways to stay connected to home; this fall, you can also make… read more
Add Some SPICE to Your Life
“Don’t just be in another place, live in another place!” These were the very wise words in a text my mom sent me a few days after I arrived in Erfurt, Germany. When I got the text, I disregarded it with a half-hearted “I know.” The first few nights I… read more
Never a Better Time To Explore London
Despite the constant clouds and persistent rain that has Londoners reaching for their umbrellas over their sunglasses this summer, the charm of this city is unmatched. Upon landing, I discovered that I had seemingly stumbled upon the very best time to travel to London. So far, I’ve had the opportunity… read more
How Interning Abroad in Spain Changed My Life
If someone had told me, a Mexican immigrant, that I was going to intern abroad in Barcelona, Spain through Absolute Internship last summer, I never would have believed them. Fast forward a year and I’m now interning in Spain for the second time as the Program Coordinator in Madrid for… read more
An Unexpected Market Find
Compared to the whimsical Art Nouveau buildings making up most of Riga’s Old Town, the five arched, metallic structures lining the bank of the Daugava River seem out of place. However, a closer look inside these buildings reveals one of Riga’s hidden gems — the Riga Central Market. Riga Central… read more
The Eternal City
As someone who studies Ancient Rome, Latin and Italian, there’s nowhere more fitting for me to live than in Rome. It feels nearly impossible to write a blog post about it because there are many different aspects of Roman and Italian culture to focus on. I could paint you… read more
Thriving Abroad: Conquering Culture Shock and Language Barriers
Congratulations, Longhorn! You’ve snagged that much-desired study abroad spot, and an epic adventure awaits! But let’s be real: Venturing into a new culture with a language you don’t know can feel like jumping into a mosh pit at a concert where you barely know the music. Culture shock and… read more
Hungary for the Unknown: Studying Abroad Without Expectations
Deciding to study abroad is always filled with a plethora of questions. Where do I go? When is the right time for my schedule? What’s the cross-listing for these classes? I had these questions myself, and surprisingly enough, everything fell into place rather quickly. In January, I decided I… read more
Spain: A Bundle of Arrows
In my experience, people underestimate Spain. We are under the impression that we must go to an unfamiliar place like Moscow, Xi’an, Bengaluru, Istanbul or Addis Ababa to truly experience another culture. Because Spanish influence is strongly present in American culture, the novelty of Spain’s identity is overlooked. I must… read more
