About halfway through my internship program, I became overwhelmed by countless power outages, a variety of native bugs, the inescapable Senegalese heat and frustrating language barriers. My second summer class had also started, and my days felt long and dreadful. I kept asking myself, “What am I doing here?” and… read more
Buen Provecho
“¡Buen provecho!” exclaimed Doña Dilia, my homestay mom, as she served us a steaming bowl of vegetable soup and a plate of tamales. The genuine warmth in her voice and the twinkle in her eyes encapsulated the essence of Guatemalan hospitality. “Buen provecho,” I replied, grateful for the delicious meal… read more
Mentally Preparing for Studying Abroad
As you prepare to embark on your study abroad journey, your mind will be swarmed with mixed emotions. In certain moments, you will experience insurmountable excitement as you visualize yourself studying and living in the magical country you’ve chosen. However, this moment can transform into intense feelings of anxiety, which… read more
Living in a Medieval City
During my last night in Siena, I sat at Piazza di Campo and watched people pass by for one last time. Even at 11 p.m., it was full of life, with various couples sitting throughout the space, toddlers giggling as they ran from their parents and groups of friends listening… read more
Summer in Copenhagen
Getting acclimated It took a while to get comfortable in Denmark because it was so different from what I experienced in the U.S. Firstly, I rented a bike for my commute to class and around the city. The biking culture in Denmark is intense. Everyone seemed to be a professional… read more
So, You’ve Missed Your Study Abroad Deadline…
What do you do if you’ve missed a deadline to study abroad with The University of Texas at Austin? This is one of the most common questions we get in the Education Abroad office, and it’s often a point of extreme stress for students. However, I’m here to tell you… 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
How to Fit Study Abroad Into Your 4 Years at UT in 4 Steps
General Rule of Thumb Start planning early! I recommend most people begin planning their study abroad experience at least one semester in advance. However, remember, the earlier you get started the more options you will have! Yes. You FRESHMEN. Theoretically, y’all have the MOST options to study abroad as you… read more