Pretty much since middle school I have been “go, go, go” nonstop. I love to learn and try new things, so I’ve always filled my schedule with as many different activities as possible. This always made me happy, but it also meant that I often felt burnt out. I am… read more
Spain
A Successful Failure
Last Saturday was a series of failures. I am spending the semester in Barcelona and after my first week of classes here, my friend and I tried to buy tickets for a trip to Tarragona for the weekend. The trip was sold out, so we tried to buy tickets for… read more
Embracing Spontaneity
Throughout my life, I’ve always been a planner. I’ve always had every detail to the second written down, organized and filed. I rarely make plans at the last second or embark on something when I don’t know all the details. It’s just how I’m wired. However, my way of organizing… read more
Taking the First Step
Throughout high school, studying abroad was always something that interested me. My mom instilled a love for traveling in me at a young age, so the thought of going out and exploring Europe felt like a clear decision. There is so much to see, and studying abroad is a unique… read more
Beauty in Everything
As I reflect on the past two and a half months that I’ve been in Europe, three words continue to pass through my mind: Life is beautiful. The life I’ve curated here is beyond what I ever imagined for myself. This may seem cheesy to admit, but after spending time… read more
Expect the Unexpected
It has been 16 days. These 16 days abroad have been the most eye-opening days of my life. I knew studying abroad would be an experience, but I did not expect this. Before going abroad, you are told, “These will be the best months of your life,” or “You are… read more
How To Approach New Adventures
A part of your study abroad pre-departure preparation will likely include training on how to manage “culture shock” in an unfamiliar environment. At first, these new experiences can be challenging and may add to a feeling of homesickness. It’s best to approach adjusting to a new lifestyle with the mindset… read more
Reflections on Spain
It’s another late night on my host mom’s balcony in Santander. With a complete view of the city and the public park, it gives the perfect opportunity to stop and relax after a long day or weekend of travel. Tonight, though, the feelings are much different: With two weeks left… read more
¡Te quiero!
Throughout the pandemic, I spent my time worrying about what the future would be. The uncertainty pressured me to involve myself in as many activities as I could to “stay on top of my game.” I was afraid of falling behind, and comparing my accomplishments to my peers became the… read more
The Pre-Med Abroad
¡Hola! My name is Gillian Witten, and I’m a pre-med neuroscience major at The University of Texas at Austin, working on my certification in Spanish for the medical professions. My undergraduate thesis focuses on improving ways to facilitate culturally competent language concordance in medicine. Eventually, I hope to become a… read more