Everyone, of course, says they learned something from being abroad. And of course, I would say the same. I learned to speak French well, and I learned about Belgian culture and the history of the European Union. However, I think my two biggest lessons were learning to travel alone and… read more
College of Natural Sciences
Home Away From Home
I do not doubt for a second that I was meant to study in Seville, Spain. Spaniards are proud of their culture, which makes it very powerful. They are very friendly, always willing to help each other, and treat everyone like family. I really like how people always greet each… read more
Returning to “Reality”
As of the time I’m writing this, I have about a month left in Sweden. I can see on my calendar that my departure date looms closer, and I can’t help but feel sad about leaving behind the life I have made for myself here. From the very start of… read more
Beauty and Freedom in Spain
“I’m in love with cities I’ve never been to and people I’ve never met — Melody Truong,” read a square magnet on the filing cabinet of my pre-health advisor’s office. It was my first college advising meeting, where I was beginning my twelve-year plan to become a doctor. Once we… read more
Santiago, Chile: The Start of The World
Chile is the southernmost country in South America and is called “The End of The World.” I get to be here in Santiago, Chile, for more than 100 days, but since this is my first week ever outside of the U.S., this is the start of the world for me. … read more
Slowing Down in Sweden
I knew studying abroad would be a challenge. As someone who typically finds comfort in knowing and being secure in my surroundings, this feeling was so terrifying and freeing at the same time. It had been one of the first times in a long time that I had no agenda—nothing to… read more
Saying Goodbye to Sweden
As I reflect on my time at Uppsala and the lessons I have learned along the way, I find myself both sad that it is almost over and excited to see what the future holds. My study abroad experience was unique because of the circumstances, and I did not get… read more
Welcoming Spring in Sweden!
Spring is finally here! After spending the first two months of my semester abroad experiencing the dark and cold days of a Swedish winter, I have a new appreciation for the sun and warmer weather. Spring is often thought of as a symbol of change, and that has been especially… read more
Life Outside of Class in Uppsala, Sweden
Balancing schoolwork and free time is challenging for any college student. I have found that the activities I participate in outside of class can be just as valuable as my in-course experiences. This has continued to be true throughout my time abroad as well. One of my favorite things to… read more
Adjusting to my New Courses in Sweden
One of the main concerns I had coming to Uppsala was course load. Even in the U.S., courses at different colleges can vary in their expectations. Moving to an entirely new country with a different way of taking classes was frightening. While I could research how people typically felt about… read more