While studying abroad itself is a fantastic opportunity and privilege, it comes with a pernicious sense of missing out. No matter how much you do, there is the feeling that you could do more, appreciate more, savor more. You could’ve climbed a little bit higher, tried a little more adventurous food, lingered in front of that piece of art just a little more.

Although Lisbon is the capital and largest city of Portugal, it was very intimate and tight-knit. As soon as we arrived, we headed out to walk around the city. There were so many hills, narrow streets, stairs, and colorful buildings covered in beautiful tile (Tip #1: if you decide to visit, be sure to take comfortable walking shoes because the streets are slippery and uneven—I made the mistake of wearing sandals all weekend). The city looks very old, but it felt very young and vibrant!

Another week, another trip!! As my days abroad come to an end, my friends and I have been stressed planning last-minute trips before we leave. Having only visited Auckland in the north island so far, we felt a trip around the entire island was necessary! So, we booked a campervan for the week, hopped on a plane, and got ready for a week-long road trip all around the north island. We Landed in Wellington and immediately picked up our campervan, quickly heading along our travel route.

The Uni gives students a week off before final examinations, and in this short break, my friends and I decided to head to Sydney, Australia! Prior to our trip, we tried planning out our days and figuring out what all we could pack into a quick, five-day trip to the infamous city! We spent most of our time walking around and exploring, which took up a lot of our time during the days. We were fortunate enough to visit during June, which was prime time for the Vivid Festival that goes on for about two to three weeks each year.

When walking down the streets of Dublin, you pass numerous shops, pubs, restaurants, and (so many) Carroll's Gifts. As a current city-dweller in America, I found Dublin to be very similar to where I live in Pittsburgh. However, Dublin has a couple key differences. Dublin is older, cleaner, friendlier, and has an 815-year-old castle at its center. No big deal, right?

After being back in the United States for a while, I have been able to reflect on my time in South Africa. I absolutely do not regret studying abroad; in fact, I am so proud of myself for doing so. I realize more and more every day that studying abroad while in college is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

I am back in Boston! While I am happy to be home with my family and to have swapped gloomy winter weather for sunny summer days, it is hard to say goodbye to the life I made 5,374 miles away. I have been thinking a lot about the last four months and decided to try to encapsulate everything that made my experience so special in a thank you note to Argentina.

Argentina— 

Freiburg is an absolutely beautiful city, and I am so happy to have spent the past four months discovering all that it has to offer. While I have by no means discovered everything there is to see, I do have some recommendations for some of my favorites so far.

While sitting in the taxi on my way to the airport, I gaze out the window thinking of everything that has brought me to this point. All of the life lessons, stressful moments, and dedication to my education were all worth it. I would do it all over again if I knew I would be able to attend the eighth-ranked university in the world in the heart of London. I am still in disbelief that I could make my dreams become reality.

Saturday evening after Dublin’s Pride Parade a group of my floormates and I took a train over the hills, farms, and rivers of Ireland straight to Galway to find the best sightseeing destinations and food spots we could pack into 24 hours. It was a two-hour ride at top speed across the intimate and scenic countryside through multiple towns and counties.