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Category Stories: Wellness, Health, and Safety

  • Navigating Study Abroad as an Introvert

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    Navigating Study Abroad as an Introvert

    Studying abroad is often depicted as a whirlwind of social interactions, bustling city explorations, and constant group activities. But what if you’re someone who finds solace in quiet moments, recharges through alone time, and prefers deep, meaningful connections over large social gatherings? As an introvert, these are all characteristics I embrace, and navigating a study…

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  • Stepping Outside the Safety of Hometown

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    Stepping Outside the Safety of Hometown

    Studying abroad was the first time in the past decade I had lived anywhere outside of Oberlin, Ohio. I grew up there and now attend Oberlin College. I was incredibly nervous to be in a completely new place, across the ocean from anyone I knew and any sense of familiarity. Gaining confidence to explore But…

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  • Navigating Emotions and Exploring on Foot in Prague

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    Navigating Emotions and Exploring on Foot in Prague

    Throughout a study abroad experience, it’s common to experience a range of emotions. There’s excitement through exploring a new culture and making friends. Homesickness for the familiar routines, people, and foods. Independence built through self-sufficiency. Overwhelm from navigating a different culture and language. Accomplishment by meeting challenges that arise. And sadness and nostalgia for the…

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  • An Introvert Goes International Studying Abroad in England

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    An Introvert Goes International Studying Abroad in England

    I was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, where I when to school from preschool to high school. I ended up choosing to attend college in Atlanta as well. I had become accustomed to a familiar and frankly repetitive life. Before studying abroad, I had travelled a good bit and had only been out of…

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  • Preserving the Magic of Study Abroad

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    Preserving the Magic of Study Abroad

    Studying abroad is an unforgettable experience that has forever changed my life. Ireland, the people I’ve met, my campus, even the weather are things I hope to never forget. Unfortunately, as time goes on, remembering details can be difficult. This is doubly true for someone like me who forgets about things as soon as I…

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  • Biking Through Oxford During Study Abroad

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    Biking Through Oxford During Study Abroad

    Finding Myself in Motion When I studied abroad in England, every morning in Oxford started the same way: the soft click of my bike wheels, cold air on my hands, and the hum of possibility. It wasn’t just about getting from point A to point B—my bike became my way of exploring, of understanding, of…

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  • Walking: The Key to Exploring and Managing Emotion During Study Abroad in Cuba

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    Walking: The Key to Exploring and Managing Emotion During Study Abroad in Cuba

    When you’re studying abroad, it’s common to experience a range of emotions. Excitement from exploring a new culture and making friends. Homesickness for familiar routines, people, and foods. Independence built through self-sufficiency. Overwhelm from navigating a different culture and language. Accomplishment from meeting challenges. Even sadness and nostalgia for leaving the lifestyle you built abroad.…

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

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    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,…

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  • A Foodie’s Dream Experience

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    A Foodie’s Dream Experience

    Food has always been an interesting topic for me. It was one of the driving factors of my decision to study abroad. The opportunity to experience new cultural diets and tastes all over Europe was hard to pass up. While I knew that I would be able to further my learning and interest on my…

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  • The Benefits of Cultural Immersion

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    The Benefits of Cultural Immersion

    One day my roommate (and now lifelong friend) Joyce, went out to find a pastry shop to get a treat. We found two rivaling bakeries across the street from one another. One barely had anyone in it, the other was packed. The packed bakery was the one we were planning to go to, but the…

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