As the Black Forest mountains bask in the background, beautiful Freiburg has slowly been transformed into a Christmas city. Locals and visitors flock to the “Altstadt,” or old town, to experience the enchantment of Freiburg’s annual “Weihnachtsmarkt” Christmas market. Freiburg exudes a medieval charm, thanks to its cobblestone streets and… read more
Exploration
My German Lifestyle
My first few weeks of classes have passed and I’m astonished at the fact that I don’t have any assignments to do yet. Part of me feels this is strange, as I am used to having assignments to complete before most classes. However, the other part of me feels free.… read more
Learning Outside of the Classroom in Barcelona
Pretty much since middle school I have been “go, go, go” nonstop. I love to learn and try new things, so I’ve always filled my schedule with as many different activities as possible. This always made me happy, but it also meant that I often felt burnt out. I am… read more
Letting Go of Staying Dry in Panama
There is a point while living abroad where you have to give up on dry feet and let your socks get wet. Metaphorically, this means that there have been many points where I have had to step out of my comfort zone and welcome new experiences and ideas, even if… read more
Drop-in Advising for Study Abroad Questions
The process of planning your semester abroad can be daunting to handle alone. There’s a lot of information to know, and it can be hard to find all the helpful resources offered. But don’t fear: Our Peer Mentors are here! Peer Mentors can answer virtually any question you have… read more
Tangier and Chefchaouen: Morocco’s Hidden Gems
Wow. It doesn’t even feel like it’s been two months, but this semester has flown by. I genuinely feel like I’ve seen more of Morocco than I have seen of my home state of Texas. The classes I’m taking through the Institute for the International Education of Students (IES) have… read more
Embracing the Unknown
Studying abroad is stepping into a whirlwind of emotions. It’s an exhilarating rollercoaster of adventures and self-discovery. It’s a journey that promises growth, new experiences and countless memories. Yet in the midst of this exciting expedition, there are moments when the feeling of homesickness can creep in, even halfway through… 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
Pre-Departure Travel Tips
Congratulations! You made it through the application process and have been accepted to your desired program. Are you ready to take the world by the horns? This post outlines a few things you must take care of before going abroad. You will see some steps to take that are listed… read more
One Day at a Time
From Brussels to Barcelona and Amsterdam to Rome. A couple of hours by train is all it takes to travel from one country to another. Our weekends consist of booking last-minute trips to neighboring countries and putting together enough money to book hostels for struggling college students. Somehow it never… read more