It’s only 9 o’clock in the morning and what an eventful day it has been already! I woke up, ready to start my regular morning routine as I got out of bed. I look to my right and see something scurry across my room floor, and you’ll bet I was screaming. My roommates run in…
Pre-departure Blog post 1
I am lucky to have had so many opportunities to travel at such a young age. Often times, it is easy to be comfortable with familiarity and avoid the unknown. Growing up in a small town in Massachusetts though, I was never really forced to understand unknown cultures until my freshman year in college. I…
Pre-Departure Blog
First and foremost, I guess I would identify as a procrastinator as I am doing this blog post the day before I leave to go to my CAPA London program. Obviously the disadvantage would be that getting my assignments and other tasks done is much more stressful than they may need to be. I guess…
Reflections: growth and identities
When I completed the identities activity, I listed things that I strongly identify with—being a daughter, a student, a sister, and a friend. But I think that my identity as a woman is something that impacts the way I see the world the most. I think that these impacts are both advantages and disadvantages. I…
Greek Pre-Departure Prompt
I hope to use these qualities as a tool to better myself as a well-rounded individual while in Athens this semester. My identity does have both its advantages and disadvantages. The advantages help define who I am today, while the disadvantages offer a chance to improve on what can help me become a more experienced…
Wieder nach Deutschland – I can’t seem to stay away from this country
When you applied to study abroad, you completed a short activity that asked you to choose some words to describe your different identities, as well as some values you associated with those identities. In the pre-departure orientation, we looked at some different values and placed ourselves and US culture on a spectrum between them. We…
T-minus 1 Day Until Rome!
The past two weeks of my life have been a whirlwind of work, packing, appointments, and soaking in as much of my hometown as I can before I leave for the semester. During this crazy time, I have stopped to think about what going abroad really means, and how I think it will change parts…
Starting New in London
As I get closer and closer to leaving for London to embark on my study abroad journey this semester, I cannot help, but to think about all the new experiences I am going to gain. My outlook on life is going to change and grow into something I could only imagine. I have lived my…
Salut! Aix-en-Provence
I barely had time to get used to speaking and hearing Portuguese after I traveled to Brazil from the US for summer break. And in 3 days I will be going to France; a place of which I do not know the language at all. I am used to cultural differences, language shocks, and awkward…
How will I do in London?
I have been putting off my pre-departure blog because it floods me with many emotions. I am so excited for this immersive experience in another culture by trying new food, meeting new people, and learning how another culture approaches everyday activities. I am also a little nervous to live independently in a foreign environment, a…