How often do you think about the Roman Empire?
By Gwendalyn B.
Published Jan. 31, 2025
About seven days into my study abroad journey to Barcelona, my program took me on an all-expenses paid trip to Tarragona! The city, which used to be the Spanish capital of the Roman Empire, was a treasure trove of Roman history. During our visit, we saw the former Roman amphitheater and learned about the history…
Cultural Introduction
By Yi Z.
Published Jan. 30, 2025
During my first week of studying abroad, I took the cultural introduction class, where I traveled across Italy and saw many attractions. As someone who has never been to Europe before, this experience has been surreal. I was able to visit: Orvieto, Perugia, Rome and Vatican City. During just my short time abroad, I have…
My time in Costa Rica for sea turtle conservation
By Hunter L.
Published Jan. 29, 2025
When I went to Costa Rica, it was my first time out of the country, so I was a little worried about how everything would go. Another concern of mine was that I didn't really have any friends going on the program as well, so I worried about feeling alone or left out. However, after…
10 Days in London: Scratching the surface on an incredible experience
By Maddie D.
Published Jan. 24, 2025
After 10 days in London, I learned so much about the city’s history and culture, the business environment and myself. I was able to go to so many incredible places and meet people from all walks of life that changed my experience. We visited the top tourist spots and learned amazing history about the royal…
My Cape Town study abroad
By Abigail D
Published Jan. 24, 2025
There is something profound about being truly seen. During orientation in Cape Town, I was taught a simple greeting, "Sawubona," a Zulu word that literally means "I see you." It is not just a casual hello but an acknowledgment of another person's complete humanity. Throughout my time in Cape Town, I witnessed how the power of being…
Capturing Cape Town
By Charlie D.
Published Jan. 24, 2025
As I settle back into Columbia for a frigid second semester, memories of my incredible last two weeks in Cape Town come flooding back. Visiting Africa was never something I thought I would have the chance to experience, and I am incredibly grateful for this unbelievably amazing opportunity. Beyond the classroom lectures that deepened my…
The USA as the cultural and global epicenter of the world
By Mae S.
Published Jan. 24, 2025
Every time I travel abroad, I'm surprised by the prolificacy of American culture, including our movies, music media and even our clothes and restaurants. I was asked what state I was from, expecting for a foreigner not to know the quiet, unpopular state of Missouri. I bashfully told them the response “oh like the Netflix…
Costa Rica, ecosystems and soils
By Samuel L.
Published Jan. 23, 2025
My 10 days in Costa Rica were spent traveling to different national parks, conservation areas and reservations examining the beautiful country and all that its ecosystems had to offer. The most interesting topic I discovered about Costa Rica wasn’t the wildlife or the breathtakingly beautiful views. It was actually the soil. There is not one…
Volunteering in Vietnam
By Taylor L.
Published Jan. 22, 2025
This past winter break I had the most amazing opportunity. I was able to study abroad for two weeks in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. During our stay in Thủ Đức, located in District 2 of Ho Chi Minh City, we had the opportunity to immerse ourselves in a more local and authentic experience. Unlike…
A short time in Costa Rica
By Jillian B.
Published Jan. 21, 2025
My brief study abroad experience was to learn about the natural history and conservation issues of the small country. Seeing the beautiful landscapes with the likes of the cloud forest, the coast of the pacific gulf and the bountiful flora and fauna that lived there were often framed by the issues that plagued them. Greedy…