During my 2 months abroad in Chile, I interned at a school assisting in English classes and performing social work duties.  What I didn’t realize going in was that about halfway through my program all schools would be on winter break for 2.5 weeks.  If you’re in a similar position to where I was, here’s a guide to some of my favorite things I did during my time off, as well as some tips to transition smoothly from work to vacation and back again :)

Studying abroad is such an exciting experience that will certainly be full of amazing friendships, hilarious memories, and unforgettable experiences.  However, not every day is a walk in the park, and that’s totally normal!  Moving to another country for any period of time is bound to have some sort of impact on your body, whether that’s physical, mental, or emotional.  Thankfully, IES Abroad provides a ton of information right up front to help you deal with any bumps in the road during your program.  Today, I’m going to introduce you to some of the resources available t

In many IES Abroad programs, including the summer internship in Chile, you have some time off that’s perfect for traveling outside the city! In my case, we had a long weekend about halfway through our program — so a group of my friends and I decided to take a trip up north to the Atacama Desert. We spent four days exploring San Pedro de Atacama and visiting the surrounding areas, including geysers, massive valleys, dunes, and more.

Last May, I made my journey back from Italy to the United States the evening before graduation. I arrived just in time as my cap and gown were already at home waiting for me courtesy of my mother. I returned to campus, still jetlagged and bewildered over what had transpired during the last six months. I had been all over the world, made new friends, and made memories that would last a lifetime. I had stepped out of my comfort zone and done things I didn't believe I was capable of. I took classes at Italian University and traveled to places like Dubai and Ibiza. I had grown.

By now I’m sure you’ve read dozens of packing lists detailing what you should and shouldn’t bring with you for your study abroad journey. Below are a few essential items I wish I had brought with me for my semester abroad in Italy.

Never underestimate the power of a day trip. Compared to longer vacations, day trips are much more time efficient for people with busy schedules who can’t commit to a complete vacation. Additionally, day trips can be a much more affordable way to travel for students. Because you can save on accommodations and overnight expenses, day trips are the perfect option for students on a budget. Italy is a beautiful country with a plethora of gems. Below are some of my favorite spots for a mini-adventure from Milan

Knowing my summer in Vienna is over has been a bit of a hard pill to swallow. I think it was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had, and the lifestyle, freedom, and cities were unlike anything I’d experienced before. Though I’m still traveling around Europe at the moment, the weight of this particular ending still feels pretty heavy. I’m missing the people, classes, routine and everything else in between. I came to view Vienna as home (a little cliché, I know) but the gut-feeling of safety and happiness there really grew to be something quite meaningful for me.

Stepping foot into my internship on day 1, I was nervous, excited, and a bit intimidated. 

Here I was somewhere completely new with new coworkers and a new job, and you're telling me I only arrived in Sydney three days ago? 

It was a lot to process at once.