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
Exchange Programs
Laying Foundations: Building Relationships with Faculty
The application process for studying abroad may seem daunting. Selecting programs, finding courses and responding to writing prompts can feel like a lot. But for exchange and faculty-led applications, one way you can prepare is by building relationships with your professors so that you’re prepared when the time comes to… read more
A Sojourner: My Way
At 5:00 one morning, I was abruptly awoken by the ringing of my alarm clock. The pitch-black sky outside the slats of my blinds made me want to indulge in more sleep, but I managed to get out of bed. Soon after I woke up, I savored two delectable chocolate… read more
Celebrating Ramadan in Singapore
This week, I kicked off the month of Ramadan during my exchange at the National University of Singapore (NUS). The multicultural city of Singapore takes various cuisines and holidays to the next level, including Ramadan. Many of the friends I’ve made here were excited — as was I — to… read more
Step by Step
When I missed my connecting flight to South Korea three weeks ago, I thought it was a sign from the universe that leaving home wasn’t the best idea. I struggled to find peace while I hastily shouldered my heavy duffel and tried to figure out how to get on the… read more
Laying Foundations: Affiliate vs. Exchange Study Abroad Programs
So you want to go abroad, but you’re unsure about the different program types. The most popular semester programs we offer are exchanges and affiliates — but without knowledge of these programs, it can be hard to decide which is the best fit for you. Luckily, we have prepared an… 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
Endings and Beginnings
As the weather starts to slowly turn from the bitter cold of winter to the gentle breeze of spring, there is a lot to reflect upon and much to look forward to in the time that I have remaining in Japan. Soon after my last blog post, I ended my… read more
Let’s Take a Field Trip
I think it’s safe to say that I’m in the thick of things now. The excitement that was lost in translation and manifested as anxiety — anxiety that I would not be liked, that culture shock would electrify me to my bones — has dissipated, giving way to my being… read more
