Trams, trains and buses: The key to navigating Florence
By Isabel J.
Published March 9, 2026
When I arrived in Florence, Italy, two months ago I had never used public transportation on my own before. Very quickly after moving in I realized the importance of being able to use the busing system though. Getting around on the trams and buses is a lot of trial and error, partially because I don't…
Falling in love with February
By Rileigh O.
Published March 7, 2026
February, the month of love! This month brought about new friendships, new experiences, new challenges and new feelings! February often feels like the worst month of the year; dragging from the miserable winter weather and getting false glimpses of spring. I’m lucky enough, however, to escape the February floods of Dublin to sunny surrounding areas.…
February in Alicante
By Julia K.
Published March 3, 2026
February in Alicante flew by! This month consisted of classes, traveling and lots of beach days. The weather in Alicante has been beautiful these past few weeks, high 60s and strong sun. We’ve spent days at both Playa de Postiguet and Playa de San Juan, which is just a short tram ride away. https://flic.kr/p/2rZdsr8 Playa…
Colinton Tunnel
By Ada N.
Published Feb. 27, 2026
I recently visited Colinton Tunnel in Colinton, Scotland. This tunnel is filled with vibrant murals that cover the tunnel walls and ceiling. Along with the artwork, the poem “From a Railway Carriage” is painted on the walls and can be read as you walk through. This poem commemorates the steam train that once ran through…
Merry ole Manchester
By Abby M.
Published Feb. 27, 2026
It has officially been almost a month since I arrived in Manchester, UK, and if I had one word to describe it, it would be: adjustment. Don’t get me wrong, I have really enjoyed it. The welcoming environment, the wide variety of activities around the city and the cultural diversity surrounding every corner make it…
Adventures in and around sunny Sevilla
By Megan H.
Published Feb. 25, 2026
I have now been studying in Sevilla for just over a month and I have been loving every second of it! The rain has finally stopped and the sun has come out to stay which has made the city feel brighter and has allowed for more time outside, sunbathing, doing homework or playing cards with…
Reverse culture shock
By Devin D.
Published Feb. 17, 2026
Although we were warned in orientation that there would be reverse culture shock upon coming home, I didn’t quite understand it in the moment. It wasn’t until I touched back down it Atlanta, Georgia, from Rome that it really hit me that I just spent a semester in another country, with people I didn’t know…
Vietnam in fragments
By Ansa S.
Published Feb. 12, 2026
After more than 25 hours on our flights to Ho Chi Minh City, I was surprised to find that it was very similar to the country where I grew up, India. In many ways, it felt like being right back home. https://flic.kr/p/2rWiBxA Indochina Boat Cruise, Saigon River When I arrived at the OYO and opened…
Thanksgiving in Italy
By Amani P.
Published Feb. 11, 2026
Before I studied abroad, it didn't occur to me that I would be spending Thanksgiving in Italy. I think that I was so focused on the fact that I would make it back for my birthday and Christmas, that Thanksgiving faded away in my brain. Really, all of our brains. We didn't notice until it…
Making friends abroad
By Lexi M.
Published Feb. 11, 2026
I've been living in Madrid, Spain, for about a month now! To be honest, it took me a couple days/weeks to find friends that I felt like I really clicked with. In a lot of ways, it feels like freshman year of college again. I moved away from home to a foreign town, have a…