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
Europe
Breaking Through the Roadblocks: Studying Abroad for Your Major
Coming to The University of Texas at Austin, I had a lot of expectations for what the next four years would hold, including the classes I’d take, the friends I would make and the experiences I would have. Some experiences were more realistic than others, but the one that hung… read more
Musings From a Month in Aarhus
When I decided to spend more than five months in a new city on a new continent, many people thought I was crazy. Nobody understood why I left the comfort of my hometown to study abroad in Aarhus, Denmark, a town that is barely one-third the size of Austin, Texas.… read more
Beauty in Everything
As I reflect on the past two and a half months that I’ve been in Europe, three words continue to pass through my mind: Life is beautiful. The life I’ve curated here is beyond what I ever imagined for myself. This may seem cheesy to admit, but after spending time… 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
Finding Stability Amidst Change
Before I left for Dublin, I had more fears than I could count. I’d tell anyone who would listen that I was sure I’d be deported, kicked out of school, or get lost on my first day. Surprisingly, I wasn’t deported, I wasn’t kicked out of school, and the kind… read more
Expect the Unexpected
It has been 16 days. These 16 days abroad have been the most eye-opening days of my life. I knew studying abroad would be an experience, but I did not expect this. Before going abroad, you are told, “These will be the best months of your life,” or “You are… 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
Changes, Distractions and Speaking You
A lot can change in a month. My last post was in early October, a time I’d choose in an instant over my current affairs, several weeks later. Back in October, I claimed that when studying abroad, you need to get comfortable with the idea of being alone. I realize… 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
