In light of recent events back stateside, I wanted to revisit a blog post IES Abroad wrote in March of 2014 titled “10 Ways Study Abroad Leads to Happiness” and how it has fit in with my studying abroad experience: 

It’s been just about one full month since I arrived in Paris and just about two weeks since I’ve started my real classes. It goes without saying that things are very different here (no duh, it’s a different country). But some of the things that are different surprised me. For the most part in the U.S. you walk on the right. This prevents awkward pedestrian traffic. Here in Paris, you just walk where you can find room and you keep your eyes peeled for possible obstacles (i.e. other people).

Sunday | September 24th 2017 | Setagaya

Saturday | September 23rd 2017 | Harajuku - Shibuya

Okay, it’s been far too long since I’ve posted. I’m sorry! Moving on…

Last weekend, there were two huge festivals held in the Shibuya ward in Tokyo. In preparation, we started off the day with lunch at Kaffir Lime, ordering Pad Thai because we’re basic, and of course we just had to explore Cat Street on our way over to Yoyogi Park.

Choosing housing can be a daunting step in the study abroad process. Especially when there are many possibilities to choose from. When deciding which housing option would suit me, I found myself asking, “How will I know the best place to live?” “Will it suit my needs?” “Is it cost-effective?” and “Will I get along well with my roommates?” Committing to a living space abroad for four months challenges students to consider whether they want to push themselves out of their comfort zone.

Up at 6, on the bus by 7. We stopped in the middle to refuel with a cornetto and a coffee, and finally arrived to Pompeii at about 11:30.

Catalonians have been pushing for independence for decades, and October 1 was the climax of the movement, when citizens across Catalonia (ilegally, according to Spain's constitution) voted si or no to whether or not they wanted to secede from Spain. For the past month that I've been here, I've heard varying opinions about the movement from Barcelonians, other Catalonians, Spaniards outside of the Catalan region and my IES Abroad profesors.

Three weeks ago, we had a weeklong break following the end of our German Intensive period. Naturally, as this is the only full week off during the semester, all of us made elaborate plans to travel near and far. Some students, including three of my roommates (the Elizabeths, as it were. Really, 3 of my roommates are named Elizabeth. We have embraced it), went on the World Heritage Tour organized by IES Abroad.