I would consider myself a a skeptical person. That is why I questioned everyone that said “This will be the best experience of your life!” or “You will not come back as the same person!”. I knew I would change. How could living in a foreign country not change you? I just didn’t expect it […]
A Language So Useful, It Is No Longer Useful
It is now my 10th day here in France. From the food, to the people, thus far, everything has been wonderful. I have tried a variety of cheeses and traditional meals since I have arrived and I look forward to trying many more- especially since there are many departments in France that all are well […]
Sea Life’s Beauty
People ask me why I decided to study abroad in San Sebastian, Spain, and the first reason I think of is that it is right on the coast. Growing up along the sunny coasts of San Diego and deciding to attend college along the mansion lined Atlantic coast of Newport, Rhode Island, it seemed only […]
I am the Sixteen Percent
By Hannah Lussier Since I decided to study abroad in Chile about a year and a half ago, I have been excited to announce my plans to anyone who would listen. In the process, I learned that I had unknowingly placed myself among a unique group of students. My new reality is that less than […]
5 Days Till Florence
I can’t believe I have less than a week until I leave for Florence, Italy! This adventure has been in the planning stages for months and months, so it’s crazy to think that by this time next week I will have moved into an apartment right off the Arno River, surrounded by Renaissance art and […]
The One Where We Went To Cambridge
As an international student in the AIFS (American Institute for Foreign Study), I was able to take a day trip to Cambridge and walk a guided tour of the city and university. My program directors described the English city as the following: “Cambridge is the home of the famous University, carols in King’s College Chapel […]
How to Speak Like a Sevillano
For native Spanish speakers, understanding the Sevillian accent can be a struggle. It’s comparable to Americans listening to a very thick British accent, where you question if you’re even listening to English. Therefore, if you ever find yourself walking around Southern Spain (Andalucía), make sure you’ve studied this list so you will seem like a […]
Unreal Trips on a Real Budget
Affording to Travel While Studying Abroad in Europe It’s a well-known fact that studying abroad in Europe is expensive, which is why my next sentence is going to sound insane: Once you are finally in Europe and all settled in, get up and go! Start traveling. Of course it’s important to see all your city […]
The #1 Factor That Differentiates Spanish News from American News (And It Isn’t the Language)
You would think while watching the news from Sevilla, Spain I would hear mostly news pertaining to Spain. After all, when I watch the news from my hometown in the United States, it seems like all I ever hear about are robberies and shootings from the state capital. That, and a rundown of whatever is […]
This Too Shall Pass
‘This too shall pass’ is one of my favorite quotes because every down can always be overcome. While traveling, especially if this is your first trip, you will experience this lovely (not really) thing called culture shock. It basically goes like this: you arrive in your country and everything is so amazing and fun you […]