Hi, friends! My name is Lynda, and I’m writing to you from London. I’ve been here for two months and have endless stories to share. First-Gen Student I was raised in a small town in Mexico, and at 16, I moved to the Rio Grande Valley in Texas. At first,… read more
College of Liberal Arts
Exploring Modernity and Tradition in Seoul
I’ve been in South Korea for three months and have had life-changing experiences. I can still remember the anxiety that consumed me as I stepped foot off the plane. Will South Korea be different from what I imagined? How will I adapt to a new culture and language thousands of… read more
Bridging Academics and Culture: My Journey at Fudan University
Hi, I’m Xiuqiang Deng, a dual major in economics and sociology from The University of Texas at Austin. I’m currently studying at Fudan University in Shanghai, China, as part of the Texas Global Education Abroad program. In this post, I’ll share thoughts about my journey and what it’s like to… read more
The Land of the Morning Calm
Three months into my semester at Hanyang University, there’s a whirlwind of thoughts in my mind. I love being in South Korea and having such a unique opportunity to study here. Every new experience is exciting and challenging, and I’ve been able to take on so many new things during… read more
The Gift of Friendships Abroad
“Tekrardan merhaba” — hello once again! Disclaimer: Google Translate and a very kind friend contributed to the translation of the previous sentence, as my Turkish is regrettably still “iyi değil” (not up to par). It’s apt that my friend so thoughtfully contributed to the introductory sentence of this blog post since… read more
Learning to Find Comfort in the Cold
I’ve only been in London for a month, but every Londoner I’ve met seems equally exasperated by the near-constant cloud cover. I’ve made small talk with my professors and the man selling fresh scones, giggling as they lament the shifting seasons. Winter is coming to London, and I couldn’t be… read more
Embracing Shanghai’s Academic and Cultural Richness
My exchange journey at Fudan University in Shanghai, China, marks an exciting new chapter in my academic career. Shanghai, my hometown and a global economic hub, offers a vibrant multicultural atmosphere that perfectly complements Fudan’s renowned academic environment. This exchange provides an opportunity to not only further my studies but… read more
From Tuscany to Amsterdam: A Global Journey
“Hallo! Mijn naam is Diana, aangaan!” No, that’s not a typo. That’s how you say ‘hello’ in Dutch. The second part means, “My name is Diana, it’s nice to meet you.” Interesting, right? In between clusters of syllables, the hard gs, soft js and vowels that stick together, Dutch has… read more
Lessons from the Metro in Kazakhstan
Growing up in Austin, I avoided public transportation at all costs. I am notoriously directionally challenged and tend to get on the wrong bus every time I try to navigate Cap Metro. So naturally, I was nervous about using public transportation in Almaty, Kazakhstan, where I would live for a… read more
From Copenhagen to the Swiss Alps: Chasing Wanderlust
The giddy excitement reverberating through me stemmed from a decision that had finally come to fruition after weeks of contemplation. I had just booked my first flight of the fall semester to my dream destination – Switzerland! For 119 euros, I’d secured a round trip from my Copenhagen, my new… read more
