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The Financial Realities of Study Abroad in China
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As a first-generation student dreaming of the chance to study abroad, the biggest concern looms large—can I afford it? This question had me and my family stumped, as I took a considerable amount of time to list all of the financial responsibilities I would need to take on. At some point, I doubted the possibility of going abroad, enhancing my language skills, making new friends, and trying new food—all so exciting, but so…
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Diving into World-Class Marine Research with Study Abroad in Australia
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I received the call around 4 p.m. on Sunday. After a day hunkered down in the library, slogging through a lengthy metagenomics assignment for my bioinformatics class, my brain is mush. I’m about to call it an early night when the ring tone I had set for this occasion frightens me into action. For the past week, I have been anxiously anticipating this moment, and now I’m in for one of the longest days of my…
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Finding Balance: Studying Abroad as a Pre-Law Undergrad
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For everyone, the decision to study abroad stems from several different factors. You might decide to discover more about yourself, find opportunities to learn new cultures/languages, or make new friends from different places—sometimes all at the same time! As a first-generation Latina student, my decision to study abroad included all these things. Staying grounded Once abroad, I found myself approaching every day with…
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How Leaving the U.S. to Study Abroad Changed My Life
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Initially, I was hesitant to study abroad. Having never traveled outside of America, I knew I was committing to learning a new way of life and being alone in an unfamiliar country. Despite these uncertainties, taking this leap of faith taught me things about myself and allowed me to experience a new way of life and culture.…
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Adventure in the Andes: Exploring beyond Buenos Aires During Study Abroad
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After two months of acclimating to Buenos Aires and Argentinian culture, IFSA took us on a three-day, two-night trip to the Salta Province. Over those three days, we had the opportunity to explore the cities of Salta and Jujuy, as well as Cafayate, one of many towns in Argentina dedicated to winemaking. The beauty of…
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Packing for Success with Study Abroad
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Two days before I was bound to leave for Australia, I sat in my room with the contents of my entire closet around me. For the first time in years, I was incredibly uncertain about what was ahead and incredibly uncertain about what to pack to prepare for those uncertainties. Over the years, I’ve become…
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Balancing Academics and Exploration in London
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For most students, me included, studying and attending classes isn’t always the most exciting aspect of being abroad. But between all the events and travel, it’s important to make time for academics. Academic culture shock This summer I studied at University of Westminster in London, and one of the things that gave me the most culture…
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I Belong Here: A First-Generation Experience Abroad
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When I first got to Galway, I was so nervous. I kept asking myself, can I really do this? I come from a family of Ethiopian immigrants. As a first-generation student, studying abroad felt impossible. Traveling wasn’t a regular thing for us growing up. Every summer, my friends would come back with stories of all…
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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…