“¡Buen provecho!” exclaimed Doña Dilia, my homestay mom, as she served us a steaming bowl of vegetable soup and a plate of tamales. The genuine warmth in her voice and the twinkle in her eyes encapsulated the essence of Guatemalan hospitality. “Buen provecho,” I replied, grateful for the delicious meal… read more
Shanghai Serenade
After six long years and a global pandemic, I was back in China. I arrived in Shanghai two days before my academic program began to get adjusted to the city that I would call home for the summer. East China Normal University is in the Putou District of Shanghai, so… read more
Chilean Connections
I had never been outside the U.S. before my current Education Abroad program in Santiago, Chile. While I’ve taken some trips around the country, most of my experiences stem from the same Texas suburb. Therefore, when family or friends asked what I was looking forward to before embarking, I had… read more
What Immersion Does To Your Brain
In two days, it will be three weeks since I arrived here in Mexico City for the first time. Two years ago, I would have never thought I’d be here. It’s funny to me because in the first semester of my freshman year, when UT Austin was heavily promoting study… read more
The Hardest Decisions Create the Greatest Outcomes
I’m going to be honest: the closer I got to my flight date to leave Texas and go to Mexico, the more I doubted I would board the plane. The summer was two months full of obstacles with registration, health clearances and personal things coming up a week before take-off.… read more
You Can Study Abroad
As I sit in international departures at the airport, I think of my memories over the last three months. Chile is such a magical place, where everything comes together. Traveling and immersion experiences should be a requirement for all college students. Being immersed for three months allowed me to learn… read more
Host Family Life
First Impressions Within an hour of my arrival in San José, I had been dropped off at a papaya-colored house 75 meters east of the Palí supermarket, which I soon learned was as close to an official address as you can get in Costa Rica. As my host mom, or… 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
Escargot, French Riviera, and Midterms
I am now at my halfway point on this alien planet and I am surviving. I actually don’t want to leave France, or Europe at all. I have learned so many new aspects of the French culture as well as the language. It’s amazing how all my dreams have come… read more
Comparing Housing Abroad
This week, we look at one of the big questions that pop up when you get that acceptance letter for study abroad: what housing options are there abroad and how do you choose among them? We peers list four of the most common choices that we found abroad and their… read more
