The biggest thing I’ve learned so far in my semester abroad at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands: Say yes. Say yes when your roommates want to go explore the town on a Wednesday afternoon. I got to Delft two weeks after all my friends, having missed orientation and… read more
Europe
Adjusting to Living And Thinking Abroad
You know when there’s a popular TV show, and everyone’s talking about it, so you know the characters, basic plotline, and random spoilers, but then you actually watch the show, and everything starts to mean something to you? That’s what studying abroad feels like. I knew where I was going… read more
Worries Don’t Disappear, But Excitement Offsets Them
I desired to study abroad ever since the summer of 2019, when a wide-eyed freshman me arrived at the great University of Texas for orientation. Among all the sessions for clubs, organizations and societies over those two days, “Devin of the past” felt most intrigued and inspired after talking to… 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
My French Dispatch
Living in Paris has been my dream since I was a toddler learning how to read with the “Madeline” picture book. (My mom can still recite the first few lines, and I’m nearly 21 years old—if that gives you an idea of how much I loved it!) I can genuinely… read more
Mein Neues Zuhause (My New Home) — Freiburg
Forty days. Forty days since I left the U.S. for Freiburg. Germany. Forty days of adjusting, adapting and acclimating. Forty days, and I think it’s safe to say that Freiburg is starting to feel like home. The realization hit me one weekend when I was returning from a chaotic trip… 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
Finding Balance While Studying Abroad
Right now, I’m on an airplane for a weekend trip to Dublin, and I’m doing some final preparation for my presentation on Monday. So, it’s only fitting that I am writing about finding a balance between work and travel while studying abroad. Figuring out how to best manage your time… 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