Holidays and homesickness
By Audrey D.
Published Dec. 4, 2023
https://flic.kr/p/2q8czBm The view outside my Oak House window in the fall. November, the third month of my exchange year, was one of my favorite months in England, but it’s also the time when homesickness can really kick in. As the workload ramps up, so does the stress, and with your support system being so far…
November in Florence
By Ximena G.
Published Dec. 2, 2023
November was probably my favorite month during study abroad, as it had the most adventure. During this time, I began to miss my family more since Thanksgiving was coming up. This sentiment was shared by my roommates as well, one of them being a culinary student at JWU. She had decided to put together a…
The second month at Sophia: Life abroad isn’t as hard as it seems
By Bryce C.
Published Nov. 25, 2023
It has now been two months since I arrived in Japan, and compared to the first month things have become so much easier! That is not to say that I am not learning things every day that I am away from home. What I mean is that living here has become a new norm. Where…
Ikebukuro’s delightful desserts
By Christopher H.
Published Nov. 22, 2023
For a class project, my friend and I were tasked with creating a pamphlet showcasing unique aspects of a city of our choice. I had the idea of trying sweets shops, but wasn’t sure where to go. My friend chose Ikebukuro, a place known for its entertainment industry, and not so much for its sweets.…
The Alps in the ocean
By Phillip L.
Published Nov. 18, 2023
In my first few weeks of living in Bergen, I met a girl from Belgium living a few floors above me. We chatted about how we were getting adjusted to the country, and she told me about her a trip she took right before the semester to Lofoten, an archipelago in northern Norway located in…
October in Manchester, U.K.
By Audrey D.
Published Nov. 9, 2023
October, my second month at the University of Manchester! This month, I traveled to Dublin, Ireland, with two friends. We scored a cheap flight—roughly $25 round trip. To save on accommodation costs, we decided to fly there and back in one day. One thing I’ve learned during my time in England is how close everything…
American fashion in Milan
By Kierra J.
Published Nov. 7, 2023
One of the most fascinating parts about studying abroad is getting to experience cultural differences. There are so many behaviors that I had considered to be universal, but I later realized they were only normal in the United States. One of the most visible cultural differences is the way that people dress. Milan is considered…
October in Florence
By Ximena G.
Published Nov. 4, 2023
In October I started my second half of the first semester of classes. Here is when I began to find my routine. It rained the most during this month and I found myself exploring and looking for those hidden gems. During October I took advantage of FUA's facilities, such as their spa and their dinner…
A trip to Trolltunga
By Phillip L.
Published Nov. 2, 2023
One of the most amazing things about Norway is the easy access to nature. Besides the seven mountains of Bergen, there’s a huge amount of natural beauty which is all relatively easy to access. A couple of weeks ago, I traveled to Trolltunga (“troll tongue”), one of the most popular hikes in Norway and one…
Journey to Middle Earth – New Zealand
By Ava H.
Published Nov. 1, 2023
Arriving in New Zealand at 5 a.m. after three days of no sleep, the first thing to stick out to me were the showers. Sustainability is heavily emphasized here, which was a motivator for me to choose this program. However, after three days of travel delays and cancellations, I wanted nothing more than a long…