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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

By Emma S.

Published Jan. 17, 2025

Oxford’s long history means it has many quirks. For example, before standardized time zones, the city ran on “Oxford time”, which was five minutes behind London time. Even though modern time zones have long been established and Oxford’s clocks are set to match London’s, Oxford still holds on to its history. While official timetables say…

By Aubrey F.

Published Jan. 17, 2025

As my time in Costa Rica comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on all the unforgettable moments that have made this study abroad experience truly special. I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to immerse myself in a new culture, study alongside incredible peers and explore this beautiful country. From the warm hospitality…

By Audrey K.

Published Jan. 17, 2025

https://flic.kr/p/2qFH6eH As I begin my last week in Vietnam, I can’t help but reflect on how much I’ve grown during this program. When I first arrived, everything felt unfamiliar — communication was a challenge, and navigating even the simplest of tasks felt daunting. Now, I feel comfortable moving around familiar areas and am starting to…

By Iliana F.

Published Jan. 16, 2025

This winter break, I had the opportunity to travel to South Africa. Though I spent just over a week abroad, I learned so much, saw so many new things and explored Cape Town. During this brief period, I learned about the complexity of South Africa’s politics and the country’s long history from colonization to the…

By Garrison S.

Published Jan. 15, 2025

https://flic.kr/p/2qFwgYZ Table Bay and Cape Town As I’m writing this, I’m waiting at the airport for my flight departing Cape Town and reflecting on my experiences here over the past 10 days. My study abroad program focused on the study of race and politics here in South Africa, learning about how the legacy of the…