Studying abroad in London has been one of the most transformative experiences of my life. Every day, I find myself in awe, pinching myself as I walk through streets filled with history, culture and endless opportunities. It still feels surreal to be here, surrounded by so much life and energy,… read more
Moody College of Communication
A Letter From Madrid
Hi everyone! I’m writing to you from Madrid. I want to share my experience in this program so you can get a taste of what it’s like to study abroad in Madrid as an international student. I’m a senior at The University of Texas at Austin, majoring in communication… read more
Panama: Energy and the Environment
Navigating New Beginnings If someone had told me in high school that I would be studying abroad during my first semester of college, I would have called them crazy. The reality of spending my entire first semester of college in Panama did not truly sink in until I arrived at… read more
Embracing Discomfort Teaches Valuable Life Lessons
It’s unbelievable how big and small the world can feel simultaneously. Yesterday, from where I was standing on an Australian beach, I imagined zooming out via Google Maps to the rest of the world. In my imagination, I was a minuscule dot at a single moment in time. Yet everything… read more
Add Some SPICE to Your Life
“Don’t just be in another place, live in another place!” These were the very wise words in a text my mom sent me a few days after I arrived in Erfurt, Germany. When I got the text, I disregarded it with a half-hearted “I know.” The first few nights I… read more
Journey Through Japan: Sips, Cities and Smart Tech
My time in Japan has been truly transformative. The blend of academic research and cultural immersion across all the cities and universities I’ve visited has been remarkable. Having explored Osaka, Tokyo, Kyoto, Nagoya and Nara, I’ve experienced Japan’s diverse cultural and urban landscapes firsthand. I’ve had the privilege of participating… read more
Dreaming of Paris
Boarding the plane and flying halfway across the world was not enough to convince me that I was going abroad. Touching down and navigating the streets, looking around at all of the pretty sights and never-ending aesthetic buildings, I still couldn’t comprehend how this was my life. This is the… read more
Sustainability, Sandwiches and Stories of Copenhagen
I find myself grasping for the right words to properly describe the brilliance of Copenhagen. The lush gardens and colorful buildings would lead you to believe it’s a fairytale written by the esteemed Hans Christian Andersen. Simultaneously, the cutting-edge architecture in places like The Black Diamond (where I currently… read more
Photographing My Way Through Dublin, Ireland
Walking through the streets of Dublin, something about the city feels familiar. But it’s nothing like Austin and Des Moines, the two places I call home. The Georgian and Victorian architecture is both stunning and approachable and you can feel the history as you get deeper into the city. Cafés… read more
Embracing Where You Are: Getting to Know Edinburgh
One of the greatest opportunities students have while studying abroad is traveling. Being in such close proximity to some of the most breathtaking views, historic sites and charming cities is a gift that should not be taken for granted. That being said, I would argue that familiarizing yourself with your… read more
