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
Foreign Language
Falling in Love with Language Learning
Spanish Frustrations Between my mediocre high school Spanish program and the intense 6-hour courses at UT, I had taken 7 years of Spanish classes in the United States before arriving in Costa Rica. Despite my good grades, I had little to show for it in the conversation department. As someone… read more
Overcoming Barriers to Study Abroad
Three years ago, I was applying to colleges with the hope of spending a portion of my college career abroad. As a first-generation student, being accepted into my first-choice college was an accomplishment in itself, but as soon as I stepped on campus, I began planning for my ultimate goal–a… read more
The Language Landscape of Ukraine
I’ll be honest: Ukraine was not my first choice for study abroad programs. I had my heart set on a cross-cultural diplomacy program in Havana, Cuba and St. Petersburg, Russia. Alas, it wasn’t meant to be as COVID happened and Russia became more strict in visa provisions. There’s a saying… read more
Life Lessons in Austria with a Side of Gelato
It’s hard to believe that I’ll be going home in just six weeks. Six weeks until the end of the semester sounds scary, but six weeks until I leave Vienna sounds scarier. I can’t even put into words what this time abroad has done for me, my confidence, my heart… read more
Settling into my Life in Budapest, Hungary
Hello! Or as they say in Hungarian, “Szia!” My name is Sanjana, and I am currently studying abroad at Corvinus University in Budapest, Hungary. I can’t wait to share all my adventures in this unique country over the next few months! When we first arrived in Budapest, I paid for… read more
Aller Anfang ist schwer. (Every beginning is hard.)
Quick Update: After an overwhelming layover in Boston and quite calm one in Frankfurt, I landed in Vienna last week and have since completed my quarantine. I will admit that the COVID-19 environment here is taken very seriously (I was offered free FFP2 masks at literally every grocery store I… read more
Hallo aus Deutschland
My first month in Vallendar, Germany was eventful! It featured new friends, hikes through the German countryside and even a medical emergency. New Friends Meeting people from different countries is my favorite part about being an exchange student. My closest friends are from Ireland, France, Argentina and Canada. Since many… read more
Studying in Sweden – Finding my Footing
Going into my time abroad, I set several goals for myself. I want to make meaningful connections with people I would not usually have the chance to interact with, gain learning experience that I would not have been able to gain at UT and approach the challenges of moving to… read more
The End: Korea
This post was contributed by Kevin Lee, a Global Ambassador for fall 2020. Kevin is a Government, International Relations and Global Studies, and Asian Studies major studying abroad in Seoul, South Korea. Read his first blog post. It is finally December, and my time in Korea will soon come to an… read more