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Study Abroad Blog

The people you meet when you don’t have a phone

By Sophia M.

Published March 8, 2023

So... my phone got stolen. Moreover, my phone got stolen while I was visiting Barcelona. But it happens, and it's just a phone. I am studying in Florence, so Barcelona is not a place I can navigate myself very well. Watching yourself adapt quickly to what you do when you don't have GPS or general…

Summer exams explained

By Arianna G.

Published March 6, 2023

Our exam timetables for the summer term were released today! Mine are pretty well spaced out and I have the majority of the term to prepare after the Easter break — such is the structure of the trimester system here. Just like the education system in America, there is a lot of emphasis on exam…

Self growth

By Sarah T.

Published Feb. 24, 2023

People are quick to highlight the positives of studying abroad, but in reality, it’s a learning curve. I am incredibly grateful to have this experience, and I love Costa Rica, but homesickness is real, expectations aren’t always met and there are cultural differences. My host mom and roommate at a HUGE farmers market! After the…

Portugal weekend trip

By Gibson H.

Published Feb. 22, 2023

This is now my second month abroad here in Spain, and it still doesn't feel real. For my first month, I was taking an intensive language class, and it helped me so much with my Spanish. I was not able to talk a lot with my host mom, and now we're getting to know each…

MIZ to STO: My time in Stockholm so far

By Jane M.

Published Feb. 20, 2023

Hej från Stockholm! Moving to a whole different country to live with a family I’ve never met was SUPER nerve-wracking, but the experience has been worth the jump (or flight)! I’ve noticed a lot of things since moving here. One of the best things I’ve enjoyed here is the extensive network of public transport in…

Reflecting on Costa Rica

By Erica L.

Published Feb. 15, 2023

I slowly read the words in my head, my face eliminated by the laptop screen. It was late at night. I had just turned in my final assignment for PEA_ST 4005 — a reflection on my study abroad program to Costa Rica. The paper marked the end of an exciting learning experience, but one not…

With love from Florence

By Sophia M.

Published Feb. 13, 2023

Writing a blog entry about Florence feels like writing a love letter. More specifically, a love letter to the city, the people, the language, the culture and this chapter of my life. And just like with love, there is no way to describe what it feels like. Along the river Being in Florence feels like…

Between the lines

By Kyleigh S.

Published Feb. 9, 2023

I have been in Sevilla, Spain, for two weeks, and I can say this city has stolen my heart. From the endless sunshine, tight alleyways with discoveries at every turn and mouthwatering tapas, I understand why Sevillanos are incredibly proud of their city. This is my first time in Sevilla and Europe, so there are…

Studying abroad is beautiful, even without the “shine”

By Maddie R.

Published Feb. 7, 2023

I have wanted to study abroad since I was an eighth grader in geography, a high schooler in world history and then a college student who had the opportunity to make it happen. I had this picture in my mind of what it would look like: the country I would go to, the people I…

First month in Alicante, Spain

By Leslie C.

Published Feb. 3, 2023

Having now been abroad for most of the month of January, I am eager to share a taste of what my life has been like in Alicante, Spain. Every day is an opportunity to gain new perspectives within the plethora of cultural encounters and language breakthroughs that I experience here. One of the primary motivating…