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Exploring Family Roots and Exotification in China
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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…
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Four Ways to Make Study Abroad Happen on a Budget
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As a low-income student, I didn’t think study abroad would be an option for me, but with encouragement from my study abroad advisor, I applied to a few programs. When I was accepted to the IFSA London program at King’s College, I was hesitant, knowing I couldn’t afford London prices for five months. Thankfully, with…
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Culture Shock in Scotland
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I chose the University of St Andrews as my study abroad destination because, coming from Bowdoin College with just over 1,800 students, St Andrews would not seem overwhelmingly large. The fact that Scotland is English-speaking and not wildly different from the United States was also a huge plus. And IFSA orientation in Edinburgh, I felt…
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A Black Man in China
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Being abroad in China has taught me so many things about myself. I am a Black male from America, a first-generation college student raised in a middle class, mixed family. This may not seem important, but the diversity in my family is something many Chinese did not understand, and often caused a lot of confusion. …
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Four Ways American and English University Systems Differ
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As an American at University College London in England, I am learning all over again what it means to be a college student as I adjust to life at uni. In a month, here are the different ways I’ve noticed that English students are taught, treated, and assessed in the UK higher education system. For starters,…
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A Guide to Chilean Spanish
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Within Latin America, there are many dialects and accents of the Spanish language. You’ll find different slang words, greetings, pronunciations, and even names of everyday foods. Each country is unique, but Chile is often cited for having one of the most difficult dialects, with a rapid, fluid speaking style and myriad of slang that can…
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Adjusting to Cultural Norms in Argentina
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We may not realize it, but staring is taboo in the United States. Here, personal space dictates a standard halo of two feet, with arms, legs, and eyes inside that bubble. One of my U.S. professors told me Americans can’t make eye contact for five consecutive seconds without getting into a fight or having sex.…
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How Pride and Community Empowered Me While Abroad in Rome
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Being a part of minoritized communities while abroad may seem intimidating and scary, but my experiences with identity helped me through my first time in a foreign country. I am intersectional – there is not one identity that solely describes who I am. I am a First-Generation college student, I am queer, I am Asian…
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“En la Boludez”: How Buenos Aires Reignited my Passions
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“A ti te gusta boludear!” My tia, Tia Yeye, yells as I open the door, a chuckle emerging from her lips as I smile back at her. It was Tuesday, 9:10 A.M. in the morning, and I had class at 10:00 A.M. I tell her that I love her and I close the door, hopping…
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Are You Worried About Studying Abroad as a First-Gen Student?
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Being a first-generation college student means creating open opportunities for yourself. It means having to navigate uncharted territories and becoming familiar with the unknown. As a first-generation college student, I am committed to not limiting myself in the possibilities to explore the world, expand my horizons, and take advantage of the opportunities provided to me.…