Hello friends! My name is Anya, and I am living in London this semester while studying biochemistry at University College London. It has officially been a month since I arrived. So far, London has been magical. The art, the history, the academics — I am in love with the momentum… read more
England
First-Gen Study Abroad is Possible!
Hi, friends! My name is Lynda, and I’m writing to you from London. I’ve been here for two months and have endless stories to share. First-Gen Student I was raised in a small town in Mexico, and at 16, I moved to the Rio Grande Valley in Texas. At first,… read more
Learning to Find Comfort in the Cold
I’ve only been in London for a month, but every Londoner I’ve met seems equally exasperated by the near-constant cloud cover. I’ve made small talk with my professors and the man selling fresh scones, giggling as they lament the shifting seasons. Winter is coming to London, and I couldn’t be… read more
Embracing Where You Are: Getting to Know Edinburgh
One of the greatest opportunities students have while studying abroad is traveling. Being in such close proximity to some of the most breathtaking views, historic sites and charming cities is a gift that should not be taken for granted. That being said, I would argue that familiarizing yourself with your… 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
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
What to Expect When Not Expecting
Entering the semester, I, along with every other exchange student, came in with certain expectations. Whether those expectations were met or not is irrelevant. In retrospect, the most important facet of the exchange experience is the unexpected. Throughout my time in Bristol, I have encountered unanticipated situations, people and experiences.… read more
Birthday in Bristol
For my very first blog post, I’ve decided to share my experience in Bristol, ringing in both the new year and the 20th year of my life. Embarking on a journey across the pond already feels like a massive change; being alone on your birthday in a foreign country will… read more
A Semester to Remember
With just a week left in my semester exchange program at University College London, I am already starting to reminisce about my time here in the United Kingdom. In London, I’ve studied under some of Europe’s most esteemed academics and lecturers, visited some of the greatest art and history museums… read more
The Learning Curve of London
My experience studying abroad in London has been the epitome of a learning curve. When I first got here, I didn’t know how the London Underground Metro system worked, so I couldn’t go anywhere without navigation from my maps app. I struggled to understand how my class schedule worked, and… read more