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Biking Through Oxford During Study Abroad
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Finding Myself in Motion When I studied abroad in England, every morning in Oxford started the same way: the soft click of my bike wheels, cold air on my hands, and the hum of possibility. It wasn’t just about getting from point A to point B—my bike became my way of exploring, of understanding, of…
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At Home Studying Abroad in Galway, Ireland
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Blackberries and Basalt When I first arrived in Galway, I couldn’t help but compare the landscape to the trees, tidepools, and basalt I knew from my stomping grounds in the Pacific Northwest. Just like in Washington state, blackberries wrap around handrails and riverbanks, and ferns unfurl on a trail near the University of Galway campus.…
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STEM and Humanities Intersect: Study Abroad in Rome
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I study Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science, and like many STEM students, I always viewed humanities classes as pointless busywork and overly abstract. To me, STEM courses feel practical and productive, while humanities often feel subjective and unclear in purpose. Why analyze art of history when I could focus on equations and systems? So, when…
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Study Abroad in New Zealand: Exploring Middle Earth
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Cheers to a semester of beautiful people and places. I am keen to go back to the place I called home for nearly five months. I feel fortunate to have been able to study and play in the majestic landscape of Aotearoa (New Zealand). One of the most important things I took away from studying…
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Finding Sports and Building Connection While Studying Abroad
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Diving in During Study Abroad One of the most frequently asked questions I heard when I decided to study abroad at University of St Andrews in Scotland was: Why St Andrews? My answer is simple: I wanted to find a place where the town enriched the university experience, a place where I could integrate into…
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Exploring the Tastes of Edinburgh During Study Abroad
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I have always loved trying new foods, but I’d exhausted my options back at home. Whenever I stepped into a favorite restaurant, I would think to myself how fun it would be to recreate the menu. I rarely externalized these thoughts. When I arrived in Edinburgh, I set out to explore the city through food.…
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How Studying Abroad in Mérida Inspired Me to Dream Bigger
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From my time in Mérida, the greatest lesson I learned is to overcome the limiting thoughts I once held about my life. Before, I would look at my dream—to build my own business—and think: “That kind of life isn’t for a first-generation Mexican American from a low-income family like me.” Belonging and learning to live…
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Exploring China’s Wuzhen: Study Abroad Experiences
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Wuzhen: An Ancient Chinese Watertown Halfway through my semester in Shanghai, our IFSA coordinators organized a getaway to Wuzhen, an ancient water town. We boarded a bus outside the dorms and headed west. Our journey included a stop at a restaurant just outside the town for a traditional Chinese lunch of Shanghai cuisine and local…
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Weekend in Liverpool
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IFSA London organized an overnight Liverpool trip for us in the past weekend. During the trip, we were given a bus tour around the city, which was guided by a very interesting lady and accompanied by a couple of The Beatles’ songs. We also ate at the stunning Philharmonic Dining Rooms known for its mosaic floors.…
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Q&A: Life at the University of Otago
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Interested in University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand? Spring 2023 alum Gracie Mathis has you covered! Watch her info-packed Q&A to learn about student life, where to see tiny penguins, can’t miss hikes, the best jazz night, how to meet locals, and more! https://youtu.be/LiGs0gWgt-Q Gracie M. | University of Puget Sound | IFSA University of…