As someone who studies Ancient Rome, Latin and Italian, there’s nowhere more fitting for me to live than in Rome. It feels nearly impossible to write a blog post about it because there are many different aspects of Roman and Italian culture to focus on. I could paint you… read more
UT
Thriving Abroad: Conquering Culture Shock and Language Barriers
Congratulations, Longhorn! You’ve snagged that much-desired study abroad spot, and an epic adventure awaits! But let’s be real: Venturing into a new culture with a language you don’t know can feel like jumping into a mosh pit at a concert where you barely know the music. Culture shock and… read more
Hungary for the Unknown: Studying Abroad Without Expectations
Deciding to study abroad is always filled with a plethora of questions. Where do I go? When is the right time for my schedule? What’s the cross-listing for these classes? I had these questions myself, and surprisingly enough, everything fell into place rather quickly. In January, I decided I… read more
Spain: A Bundle of Arrows
In my experience, people underestimate Spain. We are under the impression that we must go to an unfamiliar place like Moscow, Xi’an, Bengaluru, Istanbul or Addis Ababa to truly experience another culture. Because Spanish influence is strongly present in American culture, the novelty of Spain’s identity is overlooked. I must… read more
Living and Learning
When I got the call that I’d been offered a spot in the Language and Culture program in Santander, Spain, nothing could have prepared me for how much I would gain from this experience. As I sit writing this blog in my small homestay room, admiring the skyline of this… read more
Discovering Copenhagen
My journey in Copenhagen thus far has been unforgettable. In my “Sport, Society and the International Olympic Movement” class, I’ve had the opportunity to explore not just the history and impact of sports but also the rich culture of Denmark. A major theme in my class has been learning about… read more
Botswana: My Time in Ghanzi
I’ve never flown by myself before, let alone taken four international flights to a continent I’ve only seen in movies. Despite not knowing what to expect, I traveled to Maun, Botswana, for a once-in-a-lifetime study abroad experience. Landing in the dusty village of Maun with a few other students, nervous… read more
Life Lessons in Austria with a Side of Gelato
It’s hard to believe that I’ll be going home in just six weeks. Six weeks until the end of the semester sounds scary, but six weeks until I leave Vienna sounds scarier. I can’t even put into words what this time abroad has done for me, my confidence, my heart… read more
From Australia to Austin: Cultural Traditions in Times of Change
I am new to Austin. I just moved to town, and what a time to move! I was most recently living in Doha, Qatar and have been in Austin for just over a month. It is always a challenge to move across oceans, build a new life, learn a new… read more
Scholarship Tips From a Peer Advisor
In order to study abroad on an exchange program without the financial support of my parents, I applied to every possible scholarship I could. Here’s a short list of the scholarships I applied for and some of my tips! Gilman Scholarship Now I’m sure many of you either have a… read more