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Study Abroad Strategies: How to See Australia on a Budget
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Options for public transportation in Australia Coming to the University of Melbourne with IFSA, I knew I wanted to travel without spending hundreds of dollars. After researching transportation passes in Australia, I found three options: the Queensland Pass, the Queensland Coastal Pass, and the Discovery Pass. Since I was based in Melbourne, the Discovery Pass…
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Studying Abroad in Barcelona: A Leap of Faith
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Deciding to study abroad in Barcelona was the biggest leap of faith I have ever taken. I left behind a college where I would walk around campus and see a dozen familiar faces, surrounded by corn and highways. At Notre Dame, comfort came so easy when everything and everyone felt known. But suddenly, I was…
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My Study Abroad Journey in Mexico Doesn’t End Here
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The best way I can describe the discomfort of ending my study abroad experience is to compare it to finishing a good TV show. Going in, I felt that everything I wanted to accomplish would have to be done within the confines of this short time, within a season. My experience included characters, people I…
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A Surreal Season of Growth: My Study Abroad Experience in Seville
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Studying abroad in Seville with IFSA was truly one of the best time periods of my life. I honestly didn’t think I’d ever be able to do something like this—but with God’s help, hard work, and the support of amazing people, I made it happen. Experiencing Spanish culture One of the first moments that stood…
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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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Using Sports as Personal Therapy While Studying Abroad
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Before I dive in, here’s some background on my relationship with sports. In high school, I played year-round—soccer in the fall and summer, track and field in the winter and spring. For me, sports weren’t just activities; they were a source of community, discipline, and motivation. I found joy in my team’s successes and lessons…
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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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Finding Diversity and Belonging Through Study Abroad in Buenos Aires
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Before coming to Argentina, I had a lot of anxiety. I was excited, of course, but I couldn’t ignore the nervousness bubbling underneath. As someone who identifies as both Black and Latina, I carried the weight of not knowing how I’d be perceived here. Would I be stared at? Would I face microaggressions? Would I…
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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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Familia: How Moving 2,700 Miles Away from Home Brought Me Closer to My Family
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Marina, ¿por qué viniste a México? ¿Es porque tu familia es de aquí? I smile and nod warmly at my host mom’s question. Yes, I chose to come to Mexico because my family is from here. This answer seemed self-explanatory, the same way it’s simple to say that I’m Mexican when asked what my ethnicity…