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
Moody College of Communication
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
Finding Community and Creating a Routine Abroad
Most people won’t tell you this, but your first couple of days in an exchange or study abroad program can be extremely daunting. I remember sitting in a hostel on my first day in Edinburgh, feeling intimidated and anxious, as though I made the wrong decision. It might take a… read more
Coffee Culture and Enjoying Your Routine
As I walk home from class at University Pompeu Fabra, I pass cafes nestled at every corner. Inside, their tables are filled with consumers of all ages and outside, small tables and chairs are scattered about. At all times of the day, they are full. While it is no shock… read more
Student Culture at the University of Navarra in Pamplona, Spain
I felt like my dreams came true when I received news that I was accepted to a study abroad program in Spain. Once I knew I would go overseas for a semester, I began to research like crazy to feel as prepared as possible. I wanted to know what students… read more