Studying abroad has been full of unforgettable experiences, new connections, and growth opportunities. I’ve found myself eager to soak up every unique moment possible, and with all the resources for adventure provided by IES Abroad, these chances were constant. However, I noticed something along the way: constant motion is tiring. Especially as an introvert, there were times when I found myself drained. Too much socializing, too much nomadic behavior, trying to see everything possible during this precious and limited time. Not enough time spent recuperating from these activities.

One of the main reasons I chose Freiburg as my study abroad destination was because of its running, hiking, and biking opportunities. This place is a genuine goldmine when it comes to trail running (my favorite sport) and I couldn’t have been more content during my time here. There’s no good way to verbally express the routes I’ve explored in Freiburg (i.e. take a right at this specific tree, run to the end of the path, loop back, etc), so I’ve chosen a few of my favorite pictures from Strava (please sponsor me, Strava) to illustrate my favorite runs and hikes.

This past weekend, there was “un puente,” which basically means a bridge. Or to say more clearly, a little break! So my friends and I decided to say goodbye to beautiful Granada, and hello to a very rainy and quite chilly FRANCE!

This weekend was much needed. Recently, I have become a little too comfortable with my regular, daily schedule. The monotonous routine of going to class, coming home, and doing homework, even in an excitingly new culture and environment, was starting to feel lonely. This weekend, I was invited to a friend’s grandmother’s house, who lived in a suburban town called Kani in Gifu prefecture.

Studying in Nagoya, Japan is a wonderful opportunity to travel around the country, as it is a central location between Tokyo and Osaka. As a Center for Japanese Studies student at Nanzan University, I have Wednesdays free of classes every week. Of course, I had to take advantage of this Wednesday to go to Universal Studios, Japan with a couple of friends! Wonderful benefits to going to the park in the middle of the week rather than the weekend included cheaper (non-peak) tickets, shorter lines, and fewer crowds.