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.…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

By Ximena R.

Published Nov. 1, 2023

I arrived in Florence on the 28th of August and stayed in a hotel for two days until I could move into my student housing. My hotel was on Via del Sole, and right in front was a Mexican restaurant. I am a first-generation American, and all afternoon I contemplated going across the street to…

By Bryce C.

Published Oct. 26, 2023

Japan is a fascinating place! You can be on a train platform with advertisements written in English at one moment and in front of a hundreds of years old shrine the next. The contrast between these ancient and modern elements of the culture are part of experiencing Japan you could never understand without being here.…

By Phillip L.

Published Oct. 24, 2023

With around 300,000 citizens, Bergen isn’t Europe’s most populous city, but it’s still plenty lively with a lot to see around the city! Some of the things that I’ve enjoyed the most about living in Bergen are its frequent festivals and many museums. https://flic.kr/p/2pnEquN A crowd in front of a cooking demonstration at the Bergen…