Since being in London for a month, I have had some time to reflect on the experiences that I have had in this short time. I realize that I came into the country with unrealistic expectations and standards that just have not been met. I expected the stereotypical version of London that is portrayed in…
When in France, take your time
The month has gone by so fast. And yet I feel like I have felt so many different things in such a short period of time. Mostly relief, excitement, and a bit of confusion. However, Aix had been very kind to me and helped me throughout all my ups and downs so far. I have…
A New Home
I think the title says it all. As I write this it is officially one month since taking on an adventure of a lifetime. This place has become home to me in more ways than I can express. It started with the unfamiliarity of the area. I grasped onto the unknowing. From there, it moved…
Greece Blog #1
Almost one full month has passed since I left to study abroad in Greece and, might I say, it’s been such an awesome experience. Yes, I felt homesick around the second or third day, but I knew I wasn’t alone. My three roommates were experiencing their own form of homesickness and knew that we’d all…
First Impressions of Spain
To begin with, the night before my flight to Spain I was a little nervous. The next day, upon arrival at the airport in Detroit, I went to check my bags, but the agent informed me that the name on my flight reservation did not match the name on my passport. Mistakenly, I put “Alex”…
Enfermita en España
I’ve officially been in Oviedo for over two weeks! In all honesty, it feels like time has gone by very quickly, and I think part of the reason for that is the fact that my parents flew here with me. Since they left on September 15th, I haven’t felt alone just yet. I was lucky…
Pre-Departure Thoughts
As I begin this international chapter of my educational journey, the thought of cultural privilege has been extremely prevalent in my mind. From attending a private college in my home state, I admittedly have surrounded myself with similarly minded and similarly advantaged students. In leaving for Ireland, a country that has historically been plagued by…
Navigating The City
For my first couple of days in London it was more so hectic. I always thought that living so close to Orlando I had finally mastered living in the city. Well I was completely wrong. Orlando seems like a fraction of the size compared to London. I say this because I am used to being…
Pre-Departure Aussie Trip
In general, I think one’s identity is the only lens in which a person can see and experience the world through. No matter what experience a person is having, they are bound to compare it with past experiences they have had in order to gain a better (subjective) understanding of their current situation. Because of…
First Couple Weeks Abroad
Because I had visited my sister abroad when she studied in London, I wasn’t anxious leaving Boston. I had done the trip previously, and for the most part knew what to expect. I also was fortunate enough to be able to fly with two other girls from Rollins: one in my sorority and my roommate….