12 Days to Departure!

It is 12 days before I leave for Japan, and it’s starting to sink in that I am leaving the country for an extended period of time. 11 months! My wanting to go to Japan started in first grade with a school project. Ever since then, it has been an exhaustive journey trying to get …

To Greece!

Hey! I’m Zoe! This is my first blog post and I cannot express how excited I am to share my experiences with you! In just two weeks I will be in Greece beginning my semester through College Year in Athens. Although I am nervous about the upcoming semester, I know that this an amazing experience …

Hasta Luego

Hola a Todos, Welcome to my blog! I am thrilled and a bit nervous to begin my trip in just a few days. There is a lot I’m anticipating from this trip, and I’m excited to share that with you all. When I began looking into study abroad programs, I was overjoyed to discover the …

Spring Break Part 2: Croatia at Last!

As I mentioned in my previous blog, Croatia was the last stop on my spring break travel itinerary. What started as an average morning soon turned into a reminder about personal realms of control and the importance of perseverance.  The day started at 4am. My friends and I were staying in Rotterdam and had a …

Conquering grocery shopping abroad

Something I never realized I was privileged to love is abundant, humongous American grocery stores. Oh, the glory of a Target! (Glory I have never basked in.) The joys of getting everything you need––ground beef, foot scrub, those smiley face fries from elementary school, and a puffer jacket––all in one place!  All of that American …

Early Planning for Off-Campus Study

A successful and fulfilling study abroad experience requires early planning. With over 300 programs in over 60 countries, there are lots of programs to explore, and planning early is key to finding the right one for you! Department Cooperation- Regardless of your major, by working simultaneously with the Center for Global Engagement and your academic …

Financial Aid: Making Off-Campus Study Possible

Thinking about off-campus study can be stressful, especially with regards to finance. I often hear students worry about whether they can afford to study off campus. Sometimes they discount the possibility entirely because they think it will be too expensive. I had similar worries when I was considering studying off campus! Friends from other universities …

Housing Options for Off-Campus Study

When I studied abroad for a semester in France a year ago, I had the incredible opportunity to live with a host family. Even though I had no language experience, the homestay option was still my top choice because I desired a more immersive experience, as well as an inside view on French life and …

Academics: Making Study Abroad Work for You!

The process of finding a program that meshes well with your academic needs can seem overwhelming. I often hear people say, “I’m interested in study abroad, but I have too many course requirements”, or, “I just don’t have space in my schedule.” I’m living proof that it can happen! I’m a Global Studies, Philosophy, and …

On Trials, Tribulations, and Change

I am writing on a significant day. Today is the day I would have been home had I stayed in Thailand for the length of my program. In August, I flew bright-eyed and bushy-tailed into a completely different world. I wanted to launch myself into an entirely new and unfamiliar culture… and I got exactly …