Studying abroad in Freiburg, Germany, offers a chance to excel academically while immersing yourself in a cultural experience. With its cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and the serene embrace of the Black Forest, this city provides a setting for international students. Moving to a new country can feel overwhelming at first. Ensuring a smooth transition and an enjoyable stay depends on everyday practicalities like establishing routines, meal planning, and staying active. Here's a guide to help you make the most of your time in Freiburg.

Having been in Rome for about 7 weeks now,  I've made four trips within Italy, and all are absolutely places I recommend going to! Traveling by train is probably my favorite way to go somewhere; it's affordable, fast, and reliable.  I love looking out the window at the scenery too, because you can see parts of the country you may not otherwise get to.

Two days ago, I completed my first day of classes at the University of Auckland (UoA). With nerves, jitters, and excitement I felt like a freshman/first year again. I didn’t (and still don’t) understand the layout of the campus. I don’t know where all the bathrooms are, where to find an outlet, and where I can do work... leaving me wandering around campus until I find my destination. Despite the wandering, my first day was fun! I had three classes, checked out Alfred’s St., and explored the Club Expo.

I wasn’t aware of how much time had passed, until I walked up the stairs to my Studentenwohnheim and realized I was no longer counting floors, but rather: I was counting stickers.

In the last month, studying abroad in Madrid, I have traveled to a centuries-old palace. I have climbed a mountain. I’ve seen world-class sports teams play. I’ve gone to see the birthplace of Cervantes, the closest thing Spain has to a national author. 

And I’ve done it all for free.

Paris, a city known for its charm and allure, has long been at the top of my list of dream travel destinations. Recently, I had the opportunity to immerse myself in the city's culture and delve into its fascinating history thanks to the IES Abroad European Union Program. My trip was filled with stimulating conversations and the awe-inspiring sights of Parisian landmarks. 

My first Dutch Finals Week is finally coming up and I am extremely nervous. The Dutch grading system is completely different from what I’m used to. I am lucky that 2 of my classes only require a final paper. I personally think writing is one of my strong suits, so I’m only a little stressed about that. However, my last class has a 40 question final exam that is worth 80 percent of my grade. This means that one question is worth 2 percent of my grade! Like I said, I’m very nervous. But I have been implementing some habits to make the journey a little more bearable.

Bonjour! 

I just arrived home from the IES Abroad trip to Marseilles, and I want to tell you all about it!

On Wednesday morning, I woke up at 5 a.m. and headed over to the IES Abroad center to drop off my bags. I am in the Global Pillars: Designing the Sustainable City course, so we had a slightly different itinerary than the other two groups. We got to take the train instead of riding on the bus, and at around 7 a.m., we were off!