Category Stories: Alumni Reflections
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Summer Study Abroad in London: Big Lessons from In and Out of the Classroom
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When I first decided to study abroad in London, I expected to learn about negotiation, the subject of my summer class. I didn’t expect to learn so much about myself. As a Division I swimmer at Vanderbilt University, I’m used to structure. My days are carefully planned around practices, workouts, classes, studying, and recovery. Every…
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Study Abroad in Australia: The Best Kind of Learning
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I dreamed of studying abroad before coming to college. After my trip to Australia was canceled in 2020, I was even more certain that study abroad in Sydney was an experience I couldn’t miss. I chose to study abroad to push myself out of my comfort zone: for new cultures, adventures, travel to exciting places,…
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16 Months Later: Reflections on Study Abroad
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As I write this, 487 days have passed since my study abroad program at University of St Andrews in Scotland ended, and I will forever be grateful for this experience. It is hard to put into words all I gained from navigating a new country, city, university, and learning environment. But I think what made…
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How Three Weeks of Study Abroad at Oxford University Pack a Punch
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University of Melbourne student Cindy L.—a double major in linguistics and psychology—reflected on her summer experience at one the world’s most prestigious universities: A powerful way to learn The Oxford teaching method—which involves lectures, seminars, tutorials, and much reading— really invigorated me to think deeply and critically, especially since I’d chosen a course outside of…
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Hawaiʻi: Study Away, No Passport Required
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Even though I’m chasing the goal of visiting every continent, I felt like the only person in my friend group that wasn’t going abroad this summer. Then I found the IFSA Hawaii program—a chance to study away without leaving the United States. I go to University of Georgia, and while Athens is a great college…
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The Most Valuable Thing I Packed Was My Passport
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When I arrived in London to study abroad, I expected to travel, gain independence, and learn from living in a new country. I did not expect one of my biggest lessons to be about privilege. As a first-generation student and Muslim woman growing up in Detroit, privilege was not something I often associated with myself.…
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Rethinking Success: How Study Abroad in Edinburgh Changed My Academic Path
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When I arrived at the University of Edinburgh in the fall of 2024, I expected my study abroad experience to feel like a variation of what I already knew. I looked forward to new surroundings and perspectives, but I assumed that academically, I would adapt quickly. It didn’t take long to realize that studying in…
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Reflections from Barcelona: There’s No Right Way to Study Abroad
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Before studying abroad, I thought I had an idea of what my experience was supposed to look like. I imagined constant travel, full weekends, new friendships, and a semester that somehow had to match the stories I had heard from friends and family. Without realizing it, I created expectations based on other people’s experiences instead of allowing…
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Eight Ways to Support Sustainable Growth While You Study Abroad in Dublin
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Studying abroad in Ireland is an opportunity to establish a deep connection with the country and its people and culture. For this connection to be mutually beneficial, it’s helpful to keep sustainable practices in the back of your mind. Here are some tips to get you started. 1. Buy wool. In Ireland, sheep are raised for a variety of food products, and wool produced by Irish sheep…
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Takeaways from Studying Abroad Twice
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Because I studied international policy, my professors encouraged me to study abroad to better understand how countries approach policy challenges. I chose University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia, as I was doing research on international affairs in the Indo-Pacific region at the time. Beyond academics, my time in Sydney pushed me to step…
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