Christmas in Tokyo
By Christopher H.
Published June 2, 2023
Christmas in Tokyo is a festive garden of reflecting lights through which friends and couples come together to enjoy each other's company. I was fortunate enough to have a friend who had booked us a ryokan (Japanese-style inn) in Koto for a few days including Christmas weekend. Our plan was to take trains around to…
Flowers for Buddha
By Christopher H.
Published May 31, 2023
During my day off I took a short trip to Yomiuri Land, an amusement park in Inagi, Tokyo. What I was not expecting to find there was a supposed Sacred Buddhist Forest. On the same grounds as Yomiuri Land sits another park called Hana Biyori which is dedicated to the cultivation and presentation of flower…
Temples and skyscrapers: A trip to Asakusa and Sumida
By Christopher H.
Published May 29, 2023
Back in November of 2022 some friends and I decided to spend a few days in Asakusa and Sumida. When we arrived, we were fascinated by how the traditional and modern seemed to blend together seamlessly there. From the ancient sanctity of Sensō-ji temple to the captivating beauty of the Sumida Aquarium. All the while…
Learning, learning, learning
By Maddie R.
Published May 26, 2023
Four months later, I am coming to the end of my study abroad journey in Rome, Italy. Over the past semester, I have learned so much about myself, the people around me, and Italian culture. That’s a lot of learning outside of school, on top of school. It’s safe to say that I am exhausted.…
Springtime in Alicante
By Leslie C.
Published May 25, 2023
With about one month left of my study abroad program, it is difficult to choose which of the impactful and beautiful components of my life here would be best to reflect upon in this blog post. I just got back from spring break travels to Switzerland and Italy, the weather is heating up, Alicante is…
Studying abroad in Prague
By Alexis B.
Published May 24, 2023
Hello! My name is Alexis Berry and I am currently studying abroad in Prague, Czech Republic. I got here on May 20 and will be studying at the Czech University of Life Sciences for a month. After that, I plan to solo travel and visit my other friends in different parts of Europe for 10…
Spring break
By Gibson H.
Published May 23, 2023
This month, I got to experience spring break in Europe. They actually have a 2-week spring break, so my friends and I got to travel around and visit Switzerland and Italy! Our flight to Geneva, Switzerland was $40, and our train ride from Geneva to Italy was $80! It has been an incredible experience to…
Thoughts at the beginning of the last term
By Arianna G.
Published May 19, 2023
It is the start of the last term in the academic year! It feels weird that I am already at this point in my study-abroad experience. I have met few, if any, exchange students that had a year-long program and do think it is quite a different experience compared to only staying a single term.…
‘Food, Wine, and the City,’ or other classes you might take abroad
By Sophia M.
Published May 17, 2023
My time in college is genuinely spent grinding. I would say one of my most significant character flaws is working too hard (future employers, I’m looking at you). Although that is kind of a joke, I do think there is some truth to my downfall: a usual inability to relax. I love to work and…
Meeting new people in Europe
By Arianna G.
Published April 19, 2023
Another term has come to an end. It is nice in some ways but also alludes to starting and finishing the last of coursework assignments. Additionally, it is starting to be more spring-like here which is exciting. I look forward to seeing campus in full bloom. Despite being here for six months, people’s reactions to…