As the leaves turn the shades of fire and sunlight in the Northern Hemisphere, the trees surrounding me here in the Southern Hemisphere have went from bare and brown, to green and lush in a matter of weeks. Over the past four and a half months, I have sat in this exact location, writing blogs, doing school work, calling loved ones, getting to know new friends, and staring out the window watching the progression of the trees outside.

You travel across an ocean to an entirely new continent to discover new cultures while traveling and studying. There are so many people to meet, places to see, a language to learn! You are studying abroad, a dream! So why are you homesick? That’s been on my mind lately, as I am about halfway through my time abroad. I was never one to really be homesick, I wanted to attend university outside of my home state Colorado to experience another state, another way of life.

Hallo Alle!

OIL Week has come to a close, leaving behind our time in a singular classroom. I'll miss my time refreshing my German, walking around Freiburg in a city tour, and trying not to trip in a Bächle in front of everybody..... Ahh what good times...

As the weather grows colder, I am reminded again of my packing choices. It seems like the colder it gets, the more summer clothes I seemed to have packed—although I distinctly remember when it was stifling hot in September, I could only see how many long sleeves and sweaters I had brought. Living in someplace for four months with so little space to bring your things always presents a challenge. So how do you make the best of a light 50 pounds and a carry on?

Hi Everyone,

After 3 months and 3 classes, Monday the 22nd of October marked the beginning of our weeklong fall break island hopping with IES Abroad. We set out early that morning to Floreana the southernmost and least populated of the four inhabited islands in the archipelago. The island is similar to San Cristóbal with an arid coastline but relatively lush highlands. We stayed for only a few hours to tour the old settlements in the highlands and snorkel at the black sand beach.

Halloween is not the most celebrated holiday in Paris, to say the least. My roommate and I found this out during a regular trip to the grocery store. 

Our initial intention was to dress up the interior of our apartment, which is usually bright and cheery thanks to the French doors that dominate one wall of the common area. But the season of fall came with gray skies and showers, so the apartment was beginning to darken more and more. 

Last weekend I had the amazing opportunity to go hiking in France! Sure, I had been to France on a fieldtrip before…but that was literally only walking over a bridge crossing the Rhine River, so does it really count?  Not really.

But last weekend did!

It was an optional field trip that was presented months ago, and we could pay a little extra and have our name put down. Let me tell you, it’s worth it!

    When you plan on studying abroad, more likely than not one of the main things you’re thinking about is travel. Whether it’s within different parts of whichever country you pick or somewhere different entirely, studying abroad is seen by many as a opportunity to visit the places you dreamed of while growing up in the States. Admittedly this was a big reason I wanted to study abroad as well, having never been to Europe before now.

Mid-October. The leaves are turning from their green to yellow-gold and amber-orange tones. The sunlight is honeyed and gentled by the cool breezes that make their way through the city streets and avenues. Coats and scarves are coming out, but the coffees and cigarettes along every street cafe’ continue undisturbed, determined to drink up as much of the absolutely delicious October climate.