Like every other normal person, I look forward to the weekend. But, I’m not looking forward to destressing with an ice cold drink of choice (cider), I’m looking forward the markets. One of my FAVOURITE things in the entire world is a good ole market. I really don’t know why this burning passion for markets has been instilled in me, but I assure you it is there, and its fiery intensity ignites every single weekend in Sydney.

Traveling is all a matter of preference I guess: some people love to explore on their own, and some might feel safer or just have more fun when traveling in a group. I always find myself somewhere in the middle.

I’ve always considered myself a bit of a history buff, especially when it comes to military conflict. Like many, something about World War II in particular has always fascinated me. The courage of that generation and their ability to stand up in the face of a great evil is unlike anything we’ve seen since.

While I have advocated in earlier blogs to explore the city that you are studying abroad in, I also think that it is important to venture out and see new places. After spending the last 10 months abroad, I have discovered a few very useful ways to get the most out of your time in a new city. While these are not foolproof, they have helped me to really get a feel for the vibe of a place, despite usually only being there for a few days.

In line a man, not older than twenty-five, holds a royal blue lantern in his left hand. It’s almost 3 p.m. on a Friday. A girl in sunglasses walks by with a packet of french fries slopped in mayonnaise, the Dutch classic. It’s a surprisingly warm day in Amsterdam, as is illustrated by the old man biking by in nothing more than a metallic silver speedo. 

As terrifying as it is to admit, here in Amsterdam we’re reaching the end of our study abroad experience. With only about one more month to go, it’s impossible not to let your thoughts spiral out of control a bit. Did I do everything I wanted? Have I wasted my time? Where do I still need to go? Will I ever see any of these wonderful friends I’ve made again?

With my IES Abroad semester in Cape Town coming to an end, I’ve thought back on what I was able to “check off” my bucket list this fall. Was I able to do everything I wanted to do in "The Mother City"?? The truth: definitely not. So how do you plan a bucket list that isn’t impossible but isn’t too vague? While I don't have one clear answer to this, I’ve compiled a list of five important bucket list tips for a student studying abroad.

As many things are involving study abroad, the concept of a fall break was entirely foreign to me before this trip. For weeks people in the program were buzzing with ideas about where to go for break. Many were concerned about resetting their Moroccan visas and opted to travel towards Europe. I was one of them.

Hi all! I've been doing a lot of reflecting and lately, I’ve been thinking about what it truly means to be studying and working abroad in Barcelona. I’m so far away even though I don’t feel like it all. I feel like I fit in even though I am odd one out based on my looks. We are living in a time of increasing globalization. With phones, technology, social media, anything is possible. You don’t have to feel far away from anyone. I’m wondering if that’s good.