CEA Study Abroad Student Blog
I was lucky enough to spend my junior year of college abroad in Paris, France, as well as traveling throughout Europe. I had only traveled abroad a couple of times before this, but I never stayed anywhere long enough to be able to really immerse myself into the culture and try to live like the locals do. As a budding anthropologist, I was excited to start conducting my own “fieldwork.” However, the first thing I experienced when arriving in Paris wasn’t the food or the better way of…
Traveling opens the mind to new experiences and opportunities, especially when working abroad. Last summer was my very first time ever being in Europe, therefore there were many adjustments and challenges to endure. Being an intern in a foreign country, I had to adjust to a new working environment, speak a new language, and get accustomed to a new lifestyle and co-workers. During this time, my expectations were not met, and I had to face reality and work to adjust to my new environment. I learned that Spanish…
Paloma, Juan, and Yoki the dog, I cannot thank you enough for your kindness and the impact you had (and still have) on my life. There is not a day that goes by when I do not think about you and the effect you had on me. If you’re considering a host family for your study abroad experience or have had a host family of your own, you will appreciate the following letter. Thank you for introducing me to wonderful Spanish food. I still dream about tortilla Española,…
Welcome to Seville! In this short video, you’ll get to walk around this beautiful and captivating city with me. You’ll hear the people walking by, the flowing water from the abundance of fountains, and other sounds from my favorite city. I’m going to take you to some of the most scenic spots in Seville: Parque Maria Luisa, Plaza de España, the Guadalquivir river, the Royal Alcazar, and other local parks and areas. Enjoy! Kelly M. is the Spring 2018 MOJO Blogger in Seville, Spain. She is currently a…
When I pause and try to reflect back on the last year of my life, it honestly still doesn’t feel real. I got on that plane to Spain last September with absolutely no clue what I was getting myself into. Of course, as in any adventure, there have been plenty of ups and downs, but the good has more than outweighed the bad. Here are some of the “highlights” of my year abroad, accompanied by a bit of nostalgia, as my time in Granada begins to draw to…
One of the coolest parts about studying abroad in Europe is the opportunity to travel on the weekends. Personally, from Madrid I’ve made it to Ireland, Italy, France, and many more! I love being able to jet off to a new location each weekend, and packing efficiently is an absolute must. It took me a few tries, but I think I have my packing routine down to a science at this point in the semester. It’s so easy to forget one little thing that somehow ends up being…
As my time abroad in Seville comes to a close, I’d like to reflect on my experience. I am so fortunate to have been able to study abroad in Seville. I loved the cities I’ve visited, but each time I return to Seville, I’m overjoyed to be home. This past weekend, my friends and I went to Barcelona and couldn’t stop talking about how people from our hostel were going to visit only Barcelona when in Spain. I loved La Sagrada Família and Park Güell, but I didn’t…
In our current time, technology continues to become more accessible. While high-tech is cool, keeping a travel journal is too! I chose to study abroad spring semester, so for Christmas I received many gifts related to studying abroad. One gift in particular was a travel journal. Mine is a leather, with an old-fashioned look (just what I wanted!), and it has kept up with my travels because I try to always take the time to write in it. Travel journals are a great way to unwind and…
Shoes. Some say they’re most important part of an outfit, and when you’re constantly roaming Europe, they are definitely the most important part in terms of comfort. When I was packing my shoes to study abroad, I needed some tips. My number one pair of shoes: Adidas sneakers. These shoes are versatile and comfortable: the two most important qualities in my opinion! I definitely got my money’s worth with mine. They came with me on every weekend trip, and I constantly wear them around Madrid. Stylish sneakers…
“So, why do you want to study abroad?” Here is a question I was constantly asked by my friends and family. The short answer: I want to. The long answer is as follows. I’ve always wanted to study abroad, for as long as I remember. Being raised in an area without a lot of diversity just made me that much more curious to see what the rest of the world has to offer. Also, plenty of my friends who were older than me always recommended to study abroad….