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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.…
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Are You Ready to Embrace a New Culture?
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An essential aspect of having an open mind when interning abroad is being able to embrace the culture of the place you visit. In my case, adapting to Mexico was not a problem because I love its culture. Starting from how welcoming the Mexicans make you feel, the exotic and delicious food you can try,…
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Music and Immersion in Valparaiso
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Some of the most profound connections that I have made throughout my life have been through the simple act of sharing music. This act was central throughout my childhood and remains important in my relationship with my family. My mother is a professional cellist, and hearing her play inspired me to start learning the instrument…
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“Abroad Changed Me” – Mental Illness and Embodying a Cliche
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I left the United States for the first time in the summer of 2019 right before my freshman year of college. I had very little travel experience. I could count the number of flights I had taken on one hand. Entering college, I did not think that I would study abroad. As someone who has…
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An Accented Change: Studying Abroad in Scotland
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Prior to my arrival in Edinburgh, I had only a vague idea of what a Scottish accent sounded like. Based on characters I’d heard in movies like Brave and shows like Outlander, I expected thick rolling r’s and bright intonations at the ends of phrases, but it was only after stepping off the plane at…
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The First of Firsts
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Going abroad, in general, can be scary and challenging, however, I didn’t realize my experience would be so different compared to others. I am a First-Generation college student, the first to join Greek life, the first to join clubs/organizations, and the first to ever leave the United States. Because I was having so many firsts…
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New Points of View
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It wasn’t until I was sitting down in the row of a theater in London, right in between two friends I had made through IFSA, witnessing the one on my right, IK, shamelessly engage with and scream at the actors on stage that I thought to myself “I have never met someone quite like him.”…
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Expectations of Studying Abroad
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Expectations studying abroad were always one of the aspects of college I was looking forward to most. Although my major, second language, and goals may have changed, my desire to spend time outside of the United States remained constant. It’s quite a cliché to hear, “My semester abroad changed my life!” so I had a…
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Where to Make Friends While Studying Abroad
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When I went to London in January, I had no one from my home school joining me in the same program. I was worried about how I would make new friends in such a short amount of time while also adjusting to a new environment. Luckily, I was able to step out of my comfort…
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British Work Culture vs. American Work Culture
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Interestingly, despite having the opportunity to travel to eight different countries in Europe, one of my largest culture shocks while abroad was the difference in European work culture, specifically in the UK, versus in the United States. During my time in London, I was a 20-minute walk away from London’s financial center, which is the…