My decision to do a homestay was one of the best decisions I made abroad! It was a decision that definitely made me a little nervous pre-departure but to be so honest it has been one of my favorite aspects of my abroad experience. I just wanted to share a little bit about my experience in a homestay and all the things I wish I knew that would have made the decision to go with a homestay a little easier. 

IES Abroad Milan Housing Options

Do you have no plans for the weekend in Salamanca but still want to go on a mini-day trip nearby? I often found myself in a situation where I didn’t have any big plans but still wanted to explore the nearby regions. While I did plan some long trips around Spain and Europe throughout my time in Salamanca, some of my best memories are from short-day trips from Salamanca! Let me share a few of my top recommendations that are manageable for a day trip. 

I learned to drive in Philadelphia in 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, so the roads were quite empty; the conditions were perfect. Now, three years later, my sister is learning to drive in a post-COVID Philadelphia, with the traffic in full force. Philadelphia is a poor, de-industrialized, East Coast city, and the driving conditions fit the bill all too well; potholes galore, cars double parked in the left turn lane, swerving and speeding on the highway, and, more recently, going around other cars stopped at a red light in order to run it.

When one thinks about studying abroad, the image of nonstop travel and adventure can come to mind. While yes, I have been on LOTS of amazing adventures in my two months abroad so far, I have also, well, had to focus on the study part of study abroad. There are usually at least two days each week that I don’t spend much time (if any) outdoors, and if that continues for longer than that, I know I need to reconnect with nature and breathe some fresh air. Here are some of my favorite places in Dublin to walk, lounge, or just have a nice time touching grass for a change. 

Without a question, one of the most valuable elements of my time abroad has been the adventures I’ve embarked on alone. Amidst the hustle and bustle of a busy workload, it can be easy to become socially overwhelmed. To remedy this, however, I have always found it essential to revitalize my social battery through alone time, but while in Rome I’ve found myself worried about losing critical time by staying in when I need to be on my own. As such, I have learned to make the most of the limited time we receive abroad by doing self-care adventures into the new parts of the city.

In a country that has claimed fame for its cuisine, it is no surprise that Rome is home to a slew of restaurants that offer the most incredible dishes. In today’s post, I will aim to share a few restaurants at which I have become a frequent diner, whether it be for the pasta, pizza, or wider menu offerings!

Cambio: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner!

One of my favorite weekend trips so far was to Paris with my roommate from the U.S., Reece! I flew in Friday afternoon and had the best weekend. I’ve spoken on here before about how traveling and seeing my friends from home has been a highlight of my abroad experience and this weekend was no different. We had a weekend full of girl time and giggles and here are three tips and tricks if you ever find yourself in Paris: