IFSA Logo

STUDENTS

FAMILIES

ALUMNI

FACULTY AND ADVISORS

Category Stories: Family Matters

  • Learning To Slow down in the Midst of Adventure in Valparaiso, Chile

    posted on

    Learning To Slow down in the Midst of Adventure in Valparaiso, Chile

    During my first week in Valparaiso, after months of backpacking around South America, I was eager to explore and fit as much of the city as I could. My stomach had other plans. An unidentified source—maybe the tap water at my workaway, the eggs in the carbonara I’d so lovingly made as a departure meal,…

    Continue reading

  • Finding Heritage in the Highlands

    posted on

    Finding Heritage in the Highlands

    I felt a deep connection to Scotland before arriving here. My grandfather was extremely proud of our Scottish heritage and made a point to talk about his love for this country and culture as frequently as possible. I was raised in the Presbyterian Church, the roots of which trace back to Scotland. There was even…

    Continue reading

  • Six Tips for Studying Abroad While in a Committed Relationship

    posted on

    Six Tips for Studying Abroad While in a Committed Relationship

    Studying abroad comes with a lot of challenges: Navigating a new city and culture, learning a new language. Amidst it all, you might also be trying to maintain a relationship back home. From the moment my boyfriend and I started dating last year, we knew this was coming. I’ve wanted to study abroad since high…

    Continue reading

  • Exploring My Mexican Identity in Mexico

    posted on

    Exploring My Mexican Identity in Mexico

    I am the child of immigrants and a first-generation student. My parents moved to the United States from México before I was born. They wanted me to live where I would have opportunities they didn’t have growing up, to get a better education and live a better life. My mother believed in my future, so she…

    Continue reading

  • Exploring Family Roots and Exotification in China

    posted on

    Exploring Family Roots and Exotification in China

    I have always wanted to come to China. Listening to the stories my grandfather told about his childhood here and wondering about the ones he didn’t share, I felt I owed it to my blood to try and understand some of Chinese culture. What did my Grandpa feel on his way to the Philippines and…

    Continue reading

  • 5 Things You Should Know About Living With a Host

    posted on

    5 Things You Should Know About Living With a Host

    While the idea of living with an unknown family in a remote country may sound frightening at first, it can become an amazing experience and create a memorable study abroad journey. Like most people, I had nerves about my homestay since I would be living with the family for a long period. These nerves continued…

    Continue reading

  • 5 Ways to Get More From Study Abroad

    posted on

    5 Ways to Get More From Study Abroad

    IFSA students share their game-changing advice for others heading off for new experiences.   Start on the Right Foot  “Don’t miss out on the orientation events that will be going on in the first days and weeks of the program,” says Shane C., who studied at London’s University of Westminster. “It’s a great way to learn some important information as…

    Continue reading

  • Keeping Connected Across the Pond

    posted on

    Keeping Connected Across the Pond

    Keeping Connected Across the Pond One of the most difficult aspects of studying abroad is the distance between you and your loved ones. On a typical semester at my home university I was usually able to visit home at least once every month or so. My family is a very important part of my life,…

    Continue reading

  • Scotts and Greek Thracians

    posted on

    Scotts and Greek Thracians

    Discovering Similarities between the Scottish Past and My Own wile Studying Abroad Dishes Not Meant for the Faint Hearted My very first stroll around Edinburgh felt familiar. It happened on a random Sunday, in the middle of September, on a fittingly gloomy afternoon. While exploring Old Town, I came across a local pub and, as…

    Continue reading

  • Putting the “Casa” in Casa Particular

    posted on

    Putting the “Casa” in Casa Particular

    I opened the heavy wooden door of Mama Emma and Papa Vega’s house in Havana’s tree-lined Vedado district with two suitcases in my hands and no idea what to expect. Mama Emma smiled when she saw my oversized suitcases stuffed to the brim and said “No tefalta nada” (You’re not missing anything)! After being greeted with a hug…

    Continue reading

Blog Categories