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Category Stories: Wellness, Health, and Safety

  • Staying Mentally Balanced During Study Abroad in London

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    Staying Mentally Balanced During Study Abroad in London

    Mental health abroad is super important to me, especially as a first-generation student. Whether the idea of studying abroad is anxiety-inducing or exciting to you, such a change is bound to cause a plethora of different emotions, and for me this was certainly the case. New friends: an antidote for missing home Studying abroad at…

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  • How the Challenges of Study Abroad Lead to Growth and Strength

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    How the Challenges of Study Abroad Lead to Growth and Strength

    Studying abroad in Galway, Ireland, was my second time living internationally. The first time, I was fresh out of high school and became an au pair, a live-in nanny, in Rennes, France, for a year. If there is one thing I learned from both of my experiences abroad, it’s that growth comes with discomfort. Most…

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  • Creating a Home When You Study Abroad, Wherever You Go

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    Creating a Home When You Study Abroad, Wherever You Go

    My initial worries The nerves did not hit me until I was driving to the airport. Just days before, I was texting in the WhatsApp group chat how excited I was to see everyone in Houston. About half the group had a layover in my hometown, and I was ready to take advantage of those…

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  • Unpacking the Gifts of Study Abroad in Ireland

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    Unpacking the Gifts of Study Abroad in Ireland

    As I pack up my dorm room and take one last walk through Galway, I’m reflecting on more than just the items I’m cramming into my suitcase. This journey has left me with something intangible that will outlast souvenirs and photos. I thought the hardest part would be saying goodbye to Ireland, but in truth,…

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  • Less Hustle, More Highlands: How Study Abroad in Edinburgh Helped Me Reset

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    Less Hustle, More Highlands: How Study Abroad in Edinburgh Helped Me Reset

    Prior to arriving in Edinburgh, my life had been a blur of constant movement. I had grown accustomed to rushing from one thing to the next without stopping to enjoy the ride. But the minute I touched down in Edinburgh and the cool misty Scottish air embraced me, I knew this was about to change.…

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  • From Wallflower to Wanderer: How I Learned to Embrace Adventure

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    From Wallflower to Wanderer: How I Learned to Embrace Adventure

    Before studying abroad, I used to think adventure was meant for other people—bold, fearless, extroverted people. I admired it from a distance, but stepping into the unknown felt overwhelming. I was the kind of person who preferred a quiet evening with a book over a night out and who felt a twinge of anxiety at…

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  • 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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