Art of Chile

After my health scare, I am recovering and have found joy in exploring the city. The IES program was an immersive experience. Whether sitting through classes, developing conversations, or observing everyday life, I was challenged to consider the past, present and future of Chile. My program connected my academic interests to my personal ones. In …

SIT Independent Study Project Reflections

As mentioned in a previous post, one of the hallmarks of SIT’s Study Abroad Program is its Independent Study Project (ISP). Since that post, I have officially turned in my paper, closed all of my computer tabs, and paid for my last cup of coffee at Boréal. As you can imagine, it was a bittersweet …

Chapter 6: the record scratch

song of the week: smile Greetings all! I hope you are feeling like you’re hitting your stride. Hopefully I feel that way after every college student’s least favorite time (maybe second least favorite?) – exams. Let me start by saying that exams here are like hearing a record scratch because even though I am studying …

Post-Finals Activity: Commencing the Independent Study Project

(Bonus, my go-to study tunes are included below!) Alas, my final exams are finished!  But, what does that mean for the rest of the semester? If you think that the answer is that I have four free weeks to hang out with Swiss cows (though, I wish I could)… it’s actually quite the opposite.  While …

It’s more than me; it’s more than the US

In my last blog, I began explaining my pursuit of cultural intelligence. I shared the humbling realization that apart from news that affects me personally, I am ignorant of issues outside the US. In fact, during my study abroad preparation at Hope, Amy Quincey mentioned the stereotype that Americans are globally unaware. In my case, …

Mes études à Genève

My study abroad program is focused on International Studies and Multilateral Diplomacy– but what does this entail? What am I learning about? What classes am I taking? What language am I taking classes in?  Let’s take a look at my schedule! Classes: International Relations and Multilateral Diplomacy: In this course, we learn more about the …

New Normal

Week 7 Aussie Slang Lesson: Tracky Dacks = Sweatpants/ joggers I have been in Australia over 50 days now, and my program is just about halfway finished. When I hear that in numbers, I begin to panic, because I haven’t done everything here that I intend to do. So much to do, so little time. …

Outside City Limits

Aussie Slang Lesson Week 6: Buck/Hen party = bachelor/bachelorette party I’m not sure whether to believe it or not, but this wraps up my 6th week on the Gold Coast. It’s been a full week here with multiple people celebrating birthdays, so we planned some parties as a group for them! October 4th was World …

A Witness to History

Before reading please be advised that this blog is an opinion piece on the constitutional referendum in Chile. It reflects my personal observations and research. To understand the process and key information, I received assistance from my Human Rights professor. I hope to share with you the powerful history of Chile from a learner’s perspective. …

Trying New Things

Week 5 Aussie Slang Lesson: Brekkie = Breakfast This week has been much quieter than last weekend in Sydney. Classes are ramping up, so I have spent a lot of time completing homework and working on a paper that is due this coming week. For classes, I am taking Australia: Culture and Identity, Intro to …