Category Stories: Wellness, Health, and Safety
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Conquering Travel Anxiety with Study Abroad in Spain
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When I first arrived in Sevilla, Spain, I was so excited for everything that lay ahead of me. I wanted to learn as much Spanish as possible, make new friends, and enjoy everything the country had to offer, including travel. I’ve always struggled with travel-related anxiety, especially when I don’t have control over every aspect of my plans. I…
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Embracing Balance: The Key to Resiliency During Study Abroad
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Arriving in a different country and committing to a new experience that is completely unfamiliar in its environment and language can be quite jarring. In addition, balancing school and personal life with other student interactions and activities can add more unfamiliarity and pressure. But balancing your personal needs and new cultural experiences doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Finding your ground It’s important to know your own wants and needs—physical and emotional—to avoid unnecessary stress and fatigue that could…
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My Four Agreements for Studying Abroad in Edinburgh
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I first encountered The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz while browsing a small bookstore off the Royal Mile during my first week as a student abroad. I had just finished IFSA orientation and was still adjusting to academic life at a UK university. I felt a strange mixture of independence and uncertainty that comes with arriving in a new country. I picked up the…
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Staying Mentally Balanced During Study Abroad in London
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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