Studying abroad is stepping into a whirlwind of emotions. It’s an exhilarating rollercoaster of adventures and self-discovery. It’s a journey that promises growth, new experiences and countless memories. Yet in the midst of this exciting expedition, there are moments when the feeling of homesickness can creep in, even halfway through… read more
RTF
Paris, “Je T’Aime” and Leaving Home
After years of planning and hours upon hours of packing, I am in Paris, France. I have been anticipating my study abroad experience for the past three years. Even before then, for the longest time, it had been my dream to go abroad. My mother had studied in Ireland, which is… read more
Create Your Own Possibilities
If you told me freshman year that I would be living in Singapore for a semester during my senior year, I wouldn’t have believed it. Picture my freshman year starting amidst the swirling chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic, Zoom calls echoing through the walls of my home in the Rio… 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
650 Subjective Words About My Study Abroad in Madrid
“You are living your best life.” I’ve gotten that text from a couple of friends recently. It’s something I struggle to comprehend. Am I living my best life? Right now, I am pretty darn homesick, but I’ve learned a lot from my time here. Madrid is very nice. It is… read more
Coming Home: the Lasts and the Firsts
This post was contributed by Spring 2020 Global Ambassador Sabrina LeBoeuf, a journalism and RTF student studying abroad in Madrid, Spain. Read more about Sabrina’s experience. The Lasts The first and last time I tried banoffee pie was Wednesday, March 11, 2020. My friend Giulia and I met at a cake… read more
Ignorance Is Bliss? Experiencing My First Language Barrier in Belgium
This post was contributed by Spring 2020 Global Ambassador Sabrina LeBoeuf, a journalism and RTF student studying abroad in Madrid, Spain. Read more about Sabrina’s experience. This semester, I decided to study in Madrid, Spain for two main reasons: I wanted a place to practice my Spanish, and I wanted… read more
Adapting to Life Abroad
This post was contributed by Global Ambassador Sabrina LeBoeuf, a journalism and RTF student studying abroad in Madrid, Spain. Honeymoon. Frustration. Adaptation. Acceptance. On my first day of school at exchange student orientation, the mental health department taught us about the phases of culture shock. “You will have a downfall,”… read more