The City of New Beginnings: Shanghai
For the longest time, I always struggled with being true to myself yet I was always subconsciously running away from and ignoring it, scared that maybe what I found when I looked hard enough into myself would be someone I really didn’t like at all. And a lot of that insecurity came at a time when I suddenly felt pressured to lose one identity in place of another. When the Asian upbringing my parents used to raise me conflicted with...
Around and Back Again
Well, I’ve come full circle. I have traveled to China and returned home all in one piece. I honestly missed the United States. Breakfast food, potato chips in certain flavors, driving, trees, and the sky are all things as aspects of life at home that I missed. My first stop after getting back from the airport was the nearest Waffle House. My experience abroad definitely changed me in a positive way. I am more confident and...
Advice for Future Students
The main piece of advice I would give students is to take full advantage of your study abroad experience. Take a step outside of your comfort zone and do things you would not normally do. Experience the local culture by immersing yourself completely. This means trying foods that you normally would not and talking to new people. During my trip, I worked on a team with people from Cyprus and Iran. I was able to learn so much about their...
My Academic Experience in Portugal
Studying abroad has been an amazing experience so far. It is a very different experience taking classes here in Portugal. The biggest difference is the type of class I am enrolled in here. I am participating in the European Innovation Academy which is a 3 week expo where you work on a team of 5 people to create and pitch a potential startup. This is great because I get the opportunity to work with and meet people from around the...
My Excursions in Portugal
I have been taking classes in Portugal this summer. I am located in Cascais a beach town about 30 minutes outside of Lisbon. I have had a great time exploring these cities after I get out of class during the week. I have traveled to the local beach and small town with lots of shopping and delicious food in Cascais. There is a summer market that is open every evening. I love spending time here because there is live music and great...
Visiting Jane Austen
“if adventures will not befall a young lady in her own village, she must seek them abroad” Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey Out of all the trips I’ve done while in England, the Jane Austen House Museum may be my favorite stop. I got to walk around the house she resided in while living in Chawton before getting sick. The house was restored back to her time there with her sister, mother, and a close family friend....