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.
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...
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...
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...