New beginnings
By Alex B.
Published Feb. 4, 2025
https://flic.kr/p/2qK3pqX One of several massive waterfalls I saw on a fjord cruise from Bergen. January has been the start of many things: the new semester, the new year (obviously) and the start of my snowboarding season. It has been an interesting month for me, but it has been an incredibly good month as well. I…
My experience moving abroad before ever going on vacation
By Indeeera G.
Published Feb. 3, 2025
My first month after moving to the foreign city of Lyon, France halfway across the world has been one of growth, chaos and adjustment. As a daughter of a single immigrant mother, we didn’t have the time to go on vacation. The first time I’d ever packed a suitcase myself was the week I prepared…
Sickening January
By Taylor E.
Published Feb. 3, 2025
Two months ago, I was sitting in Ellis Library, avoiding my Spanish homework with the help of Google Maps. I dragged the little street view man 4,000 miles away from my home and dropped him in the middle of Alicante, Spain. I dragged him around, looking at the buildings and the street signs and the…
The people make the place!
By Emily S.
Published Feb. 1, 2025
https://flic.kr/p/2qKhLnW Building friendships! This winter break, I was given the opportunity to go and serve in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. When I first started telling people that I was voluntarily going to Vietnam to study abroad, they were shocked. Many people in the United States have devastating memories or loved ones who served in…
No car, no problem!
By Asher F.
Published Jan. 31, 2025
Since early January, I have been living and studying in Alicante, Spain. Alicante has barely twice the population of Columbia, but immediately after getting off the train and into the city, I noticed that it felt much bigger than that. After some thinking over the course of my few weeks here, I’ve realized it’s because…
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…