Living in a new country can be difficult to navigate, especially when the culture is so different from what you’re used to. My first few days in Melbourne felt scattered and daunting, but now that I’ve been living here for over a month, I’ve started to get the hang of… read more
College of Natural Sciences
Learning Outside of the Classroom in Barcelona
Pretty much since middle school I have been “go, go, go” nonstop. I love to learn and try new things, so I’ve always filled my schedule with as many different activities as possible. This always made me happy, but it also meant that I often felt burnt out. I am… read more
Letting Go of Staying Dry in Panama
There is a point while living abroad where you have to give up on dry feet and let your socks get wet. Metaphorically, this means that there have been many points where I have had to step out of my comfort zone and welcome new experiences and ideas, even if… read more
Building Friendships in Britain
One month into classes in a new country and I’ve never been in a more different school environment. Classes are almost every day, but I only have one or two daily. Instead of weekly homework assignments, I do a few readings and take notes during class. I have more free… read more
Celebrating Taiwan’s National Holiday
On October 10, Taiwan bursts into vibrant celebrations for “國慶日,” or National Day. This day commemorates the Wuchang Uprising of 1911 that heralded the end of China’s Qing Dynasty and paved the way for establishing the Republic of China. The celebrations, rich with festivity, beautifully display Taiwan’s cultural diversity and… read more
Finding Peace in Fast-Paced Panama
A picture is worth a thousand words, but a moment is worth a lifetime. There have been so many moments since arriving in Panama during which I must pause and fully absorb my surroundings, snapshotting my experiences like photos in my head. Watching “tortugitas,” or small turtles struggling toward the… read more
A Successful Failure
Last Saturday was a series of failures. I am spending the semester in Barcelona and after my first week of classes here, my friend and I tried to buy tickets for a trip to Tarragona for the weekend. The trip was sold out, so we tried to buy tickets for… read more
Finding Adventure
I have always been a person who is up for adventure. I’m the type of person who says, “Yes!” to everything and fully believes that life gets exciting the moment you leave your comfort zone. The past month has held a lot of agreements and adventures for me, both with… read more
First Impressions of “Ilha Formosa,” the Beautiful Island of Taiwan
In the heart of East Asia lies Taiwan, historically known as “Ilha Formosa” or “The Beautiful Island” by 16th-century Portuguese explorers. This island nation serves as a melting pot of cultures and technological innovations. During my stay in Taiwan’s largest city, Taipei, I have been introduced to an environment that… 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