I am writing this blog post in late October, with only weeks to go until I fly back to Florida. As my departure date steadily approaches, I constantly feel a mixture of anxiety and excitement. I am excited to finally see my friends and family after five long months, what feels like an eternity compared…
Blog Post #2: Sand, Sun, and Shaking Up My Routine by Cristina Toppin
I am currently sitting in a hammock outside a hostel in Byron Bay, a Sydneysider getaway located along Australia’s Gold Coast. (Fun fact: The Hemsworth family owns an estate on Byron Bay, and many exchange students have reported Hemsworth sightings during their stays here.) It is exactly 9:00 AM. I’m on mid-semester break, and, after…
Blog Post #1: When You Wish Upon a Star by Cristina Toppin
I bought an overpriced journal at the mall by my apartment today. Why? Because I just had the most magical weekend ever. Was it because of the shooting star that I saw at Sawmillers Reserve, a secluded point which overlooks the Sydney Harbour? I caved into my superstitions and immediately wished upon the star to…
The Moment I Realized What Life’s All About
As I’ve mentioned in a previous blog post, this semester in London would mark the first time I’ve gone abroad in over four years. The prospect of living in London alone was something I was quite ecstatic about. Going into this semester I expected to take interesting classes, explore the city on the weekends, make…
Life as A Matterport Intern
When I first discovered that I had been placed at an internship position with Matterport, I didn’t know exactly what to expect as I’d never been very familiar with 3D capture technology companies. Despite this, I was rather excited to know that I would be working with an organization whose clientele hailed from the world…
Preamble to A New Chapter
It wasn’t until I found myself staring at the flight details on my computer screen that it hit me: This would be the first time I’d be leaving the United States in over four years. Four years of an exponentially growing wanderlust finally manifested itself in a rush of unfiltered excitement. Colombia was more than…
Fall Break Extravaganza
When I found out that there was no Thanksgiving break, I was very disappointed. However, when I heard that all of the CAPA students get a week off at the mid-point of the semester I was ecstatic. Some of my roommates and a couple other friends decided to travel around Europe during this week. The…
First Few Weeks
My first few weeks here in London have been nothing short of exceptional. I have gotten settled in with my roommates and meet my internship team. I am looking forward to what the next few months will look like. Although I have been abroad before, this time will be a truly different experience, mainly because…
Pre-departure Flight
I believe with my identity I see the world in a more open-minded manner. Being from Colombia but living for America for the majority of my life, I believe I have a more open-minded perspective. I was raised through two different cultures, emphasizing different values and mentalities. These different values help me see the world…
The tube, tea, and travel
The halfway point has come and went for my time abroad. It’s crazy to think that I’ve already been living, working, and studying in London for two months. When everyone warns you that it goes by in a blink of an eye they are not exaggerating. Now that it is almost Halloween, the days are…