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
Europe
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
Sucking Out All the Marrow of Life: Executive Dysfunction and Adapting to Life in Edinburgh, Scotland
“I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life, to live so sturdily and Spartan-like as to put to rout all that was not life, to cut a broad swath and shave close, to drive life into a corner, and reduce it to its lowest terms,… read more
Budapest, My Second Home
I can hardly believe it’s been more than a month since I returned home from Budapest. Living abroad for an entire semester, that city had become almost as familiar to me as Austin. I had become used to all the beautiful sights, stores, and public transport routes, but most importantly… read more
Ivana Kupala Tradition and the Magic of Studying Abroad in Ukraine
When we last met, I was in dire straits: doubting myself, wanting nothing more than to return home to the U.S., and confronting a few unsavory aspects of my mental health. I’m elated to report that for the past two or so weeks, Ukraine has treated me incredibly well! Before… 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
The Impact of My Experience Abroad in Paris, France
Since my last blog post, COVID-19 safety measures have fluctuated in France. All non-essential businesses are currently closed, and there is a 7 p.m. curfew in place. Up until a few weeks ago, you could not travel more than 10 kilometers outside your residence or be outside in groups of… read more
Making Memories in Germany
1. Castles Germany is home to more than 20,000 castles. While some are breathtakingly beautiful and seem as if a Disney princess should be at home, others have become medieval ruins that only hint at their former grandeur. Exploring castles is a great way to spend a weekend! 2. Food… read more
