Throughout my life, I’ve always been a planner. I’ve always had every detail to the second written down, organized and filed. I rarely make plans at the last second or embark on something when I don’t know all the details. It’s just how I’m wired. However, my way of organizing… read more
How To Approach New Adventures
A part of your study abroad pre-departure preparation will likely include training on how to manage “culture shock” in an unfamiliar environment. At first, these new experiences can be challenging and may add to a feeling of homesickness. It’s best to approach adjusting to a new lifestyle with the mindset… read more
Gratitude Across Borders
My abiding feeling while studying abroad has been gratitude. The opportunities I’ve had this semester while studying at Sciences Po in Paris, France, are mind-boggling. A text I sent at the start of the year after bombarding my friends with the new and beautiful things I’d seen so far… read more
The First Month Abroad
I have been in London for just over a month, and it has been the longest month of my life. Nothing could have prepared me for the first week. Between the chaos of registering for classes, making sure I was following COVID-19 protocols, and unpacking, I found myself wondering if… read more
650 Subjective Words About My Study Abroad in Madrid
“You are living your best life.” I’ve gotten that text from a couple of friends recently. It’s something I struggle to comprehend. Am I living my best life? Right now, I am pretty darn homesick, but I’ve learned a lot from my time here. Madrid is very nice. It is… read more
Great Expectations: Adapting to Classroom and Grading Expectations in the UK
I have always been a perfectionist. Even in high school, I always held myself to the highest, and frankly, most unattainable, degree for success. Since coming to the University of Texas, I have tried my hardest to reevaluate my standards. Of course, I make sure to work as hard as… read more
Host Family Life
First Impressions Within an hour of my arrival in San José, I had been dropped off at a papaya-colored house 75 meters east of the Palí supermarket, which I soon learned was as close to an official address as you can get in Costa Rica. As my host mom, or… read more
My New Life in Fudan, China
Once I completed new student registration and got my student ID, my university life began. After nearly a year of online classes, I miss the face-to-face campus life very much. Without a doubt, I start my new journey full of anticipation and joy. While I finished the first day of… read more
Settling into my Life in Budapest, Hungary
Hello! Or as they say in Hungarian, “Szia!” My name is Sanjana, and I am currently studying abroad at Corvinus University in Budapest, Hungary. I can’t wait to share all my adventures in this unique country over the next few months! When we first arrived in Budapest, I paid for… read more
Hallo aus Deutschland
My first month in Vallendar, Germany was eventful! It featured new friends, hikes through the German countryside and even a medical emergency. New Friends Meeting people from different countries is my favorite part about being an exchange student. My closest friends are from Ireland, France, Argentina and Canada. Since many… read more