Hey everyone!

I'm now back home in California and wanted to make this update video regarding my study abroad. It is very unfortunate that my study abroad experience was cut short due to the virus but it was one of the best months of my life. It's crazy to think that when I left Milan, I was expecting to return back a few weeks later. No one knew how bad it was going to get and due to the fluid circumstances, all IES Abroad students were forced to return home. 

March marks the halfway point of my time here in Ecuador, as well as the start of women’s history month back in the US. It’s hard to believe I’ve already been living in Ecuador for two months, and that I have that same amount of time left. It’s been 8 weeks of exploration, learning, and cultural immersion. Life here is obviously different than life in the US, and in many ways (I’m thinking fruit juices, incredible biodiversity, and relatively cheap cost of living) better.

I can envision myself living in London for several years of my life. Although I'm slightly embarrassed to admit it, I believe that I am especially fond of the UK because the people there speak English. However, they speak "proper" English which is very different from American English. I absolutely adore the people in London for their friendliness and unique accents. The locals I met during my trip loved listening to my friends and I attempt to speak with an English accent. They thought it was hysterical. 

Budapest, Hungary. Prior to my weekend trip there, I knew nothing about this place. My friends Emma and Delaney had plans to visit and I spontaneously joined them. Something about the unknown and element of mystery associated with this foreign country was very exciting to me. When I stepped off the plane into Ferenc Liszt International Airport, it was evident that I just entered a drastically different culture. 

A friend I made in Chile shared with me this quote he read once that stuck with him. We’d been discussing the social/political climate in Chile, which led us to talk about the misguidedness and, at times, impossibility of comparing suffering. And he said, “Suffering is like a gas--it fills the space it’s in.” 

Dear all students affected by the impacts of COVID-19,

I imagine many of you are in a boat similar to mine. It has been over a week and a half since I have returned from my semester abroad in Cape Town due to the coronavirus pandemic. That week and a half have been spent eating a lot of food, watching a lot of Netflix, occasionally running on a treadmill, and FaceTiming friends. 

From the very moment I stepped out of El Prat airport and into the fresh air, I knew Barcelona was a special place. I was in awe watching everything that passed me by outside the cab window while listening to Ed Sheeran's "Barcelona" to set the mood. At the time, this was the only song that I connected with the city. Now, after having spent two months in Barcelona, I have an emotional connection with reggaeton music because it powerfully reminds me of Barcelona.

This certainly wasn't how I expected my semester abroad to end. It's surreal how we saw the situation of the coronavirus evolve in Italy right as we were in the country. Although I am glad to be home now with my family, there is so much I miss from my time in Rome. I will cherish the memories of the places, the people and the food of Rome. There was never a dull moment in the city.

Hi everyone! This was such an exciting week because it was the beginning of fashion week. Although I am not as into fashion as some of my friends here, it was definitely an experience. IES Abroad sent us a list of fashion shows and events to all the students which was very helpful. It basically impossible to get into the fashion shows, but many people still dress up and go outside the venue to see people. It was truly an experience.