Maria Oldenburg
<p>I am Maria Oldenburg, and I'm a sophomore Economics and International Studies double major at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. On campus, you can find me pretending to be a professional photographer, exploring the local coffee scene, or hopelessly planning my dream backpacking trip across Southeast Asia. Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, I can't wait to eat my weight in empanadas, learn quality puns in Spanish, and tango with the best of them during my semester in Buenos Aires!</p>
Blogs by Maria Oldenburg
The Questions I've Been Asked as an American Abroad
My study abroad adviser warned me that I might get asked unpredictable and sometimes uncomfortable questions while I was abroad. She was right.
A Non-Foodie's Guide to Food in Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is known and admired for a lot of things, but it's food is definitely not one of them. But the city's bad rep isn't completely deserved.
For Anyone Nervous About Their Homestay
My biggest fear about studying abroad wasn’t the schoolwork, the new language, or moving around the world; it was getting along with the host family I would be...
Getting Sick and Getting Pushed Out of Your Comfort Zone
I knew that studying abroad was inherently full of challenging situations that test you and push you out of your comfort zone. I thought I was prepared. But I...
Spring Break (in September) in Santiago, Chile
After two blissful months studying abroad in Buenos Aires, I fell in love. Now, don’t get your hopes up—this confession isn’t that juicy. I fell in love with a...
Volunteer Work Abroad & Other Worthwhile Decisions
Spending a weekend building houses with Un Techo por mi Pais seemed like a great way to meet locals and learn about the community surrounding Buenos Aires, and...
Iguazu Falls: Why Another Waterfall Will Never Impress Me Again
Iguazu Falls, a range of over one hundred waterfalls between Argentina and Brazil and one of the seven natural wonders of the world, is worth the hype.
Like College Orientation, but in a Foreign Country
College orientation was hard; just imagine repeating it in a foreign country, in a foreign language. Thoughts from my first week abroad.
Final Hours in the USA
It’s currently three hours before my first plane ride boards, and I don’t think it’s hit me yet that my life is about to change—really soon. Some last minute...