By Ella B.

Published Oct. 10, 2024

Hello from Alicante, Spain! I have been here for a month now, though the time has flown by. Between exploring the city and venturing beyond it, there's never a dull moment. I live in an apartment with my host dad and classmate (shoutout to Carlos and Rosie!), and it has been so much fun. We…

By Erin S.

Published Oct. 8, 2024

Lately, my life has felt like a tug-of-war between school assignments and the adventures waiting outside my door. I mean, how am I supposed to focus on group projects and 2,000-word papers when all I can think about is my next trip? The more assignments pile up, the more my mind drifts off to places…

By Emma S.

Published Oct. 7, 2024

As of today, the day I am writing this, I have lived in London for a month. This semester I am studying abroad through IES Abroad’s Oxford Direct Enrollment program, which in the fall, includes a month in London while taking a short course before the Oxford term starts. I’m preparing to leave for Oxford…

By Jess A.

Published Oct. 3, 2024

Wow, where do I even begin? The first month has been a whirlwind. For me, this experience has been so special in so many different ways. It was my first time ever leaving the United States, as well as the first time doing many things. First time taking the subway, first time ordering in Korean,…

By Anna T.

Published Oct. 2, 2024

https://flic.kr/p/2qmQrJG Temples From late July to early August this year, I studied abroad for two weeks in Chaing Mai, Thailand. The first week of the program consisted of temple hopping, trying all kinds of new foods, and learning about Thai culture. There are so many beautiful temples in Thailand, my favorite being Wat Prathat Doi…

By Jude C.

Published Oct. 1, 2024

Studying abroad has been a very interesting experience for me. I grew up and lived my entire life in my hometown of Lee’s Summit, as I haven’t done much traveling. The biggest trips I’ve taken have been to Colorado and Florida, but I have never been out of the country before. That’s what makes this…

By Alex B.

Published Sept. 30, 2024

Now that my classes have been underway for a few weeks and the initial rush of moving to a new place has settled down, I'm starting to settle in fairly well to my home abroad. After an abnormally wet August, September's weather has been fantastic. There have been numerous days that have reached into the…

By Abby J.

Published Sept. 27, 2024

Since arriving in Alicante, Spain, I have been living with a host family that has been hosting students for 30 years. The experience was extremely intimidating at first, and I wasn't sure what to expect. Upon arrival, I knew it would to be a challenge when they didn't speak any English, and I'm only a…

By Ethan M.

Published Sept. 26, 2024

Since I last posted, Australia has been such an amazing experience full of city exploration, gorgeous beaches, ocean views, and encounters with tons of wildlife. In this post, we will explore Phillip Island, just one of the countless incredible experiences I've had in Australia so far. So, where to start? Phillip Island, a small island…

By Abigail M.

Published Sept. 19, 2024

The idea of going abroad for the very first time intimidated me all summer before I flew to Thailand. I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to navigate where I needed to be or that I would somehow mess up because I didn’t know the cultural differences. However, when I realized this would be…