Basking in the sun on Spanish beaches, glimpsing the Mona Lisa in the Louvre or gorging yourself on sushi in Tokyo might all be compelling thoughts you have when deciding to study abroad. But what about the other benefits? The ones that don’t come readily to mind when you think… read more
Exploring Mexico and Reflecting on Studying Abroad
After three and a half months of living in Mexico City, I’m starting to realize I’m more than halfway through my study abroad experience. This is a bittersweet moment, as I’m just starting to settle into the way of life in Mexico City, with its traffic, street vendors, fast energy… read more
Embracing España: A Month in Madrid Through the Eyes of an Exchange Student
Leaving the comfort of home is a daunting yet exhilarating experience, especially when that home is as amazing as Austin, Texas. Attending college in my hometown is fantastic for many reasons. I get to see my family every week, my dogs are just a five-minute drive from my apartment and… read more
Learning Outside of the Classroom in Barcelona
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
Tangier and Chefchaouen: Morocco’s Hidden Gems
Wow. It doesn’t even feel like it’s been two months, but this semester has flown by. I genuinely feel like I’ve seen more of Morocco than I have seen of my home state of Texas. The classes I’m taking through the Institute for the International Education of Students (IES) have… read more
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
Morocco: Part 2
Five years ago, during one life-changing month, I fell completely in love with this country. It was particularly transformative because it was my first time flying on a plane, solo traveling and traveling outside the country. I discovered a place where I could improve my Arabic, French and even Spanish… read more
Chilean Connections
I had never been outside the U.S. before my current Education Abroad program in Santiago, Chile. While I’ve taken some trips around the country, most of my experiences stem from the same Texas suburb. Therefore, when family or friends asked what I was looking forward to before embarking, I had… 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
No Pasa Nada (Don’t Worry About It)
Before I had even landed in Madrid, I’d unconsciously set expectations for myself and my time abroad: My Spanish would progress like never before, I’d meet many new people, travel every weekend, make unforgettable memories, and transform into this worldly person. In some sense, most of that happened—just not in… read more