And just like that the semester was over! As I prepare for my spring semester abroad in Vietnam, I reflect upon my experience in Beijing–and man, what an experience! I sit writing this post in Lisbon, Portugal sitting across from a young gentleman who spent his semester studying in Vaxjo, Sweden and a woman who …
The answer to everyone’s question: how was China? The perfect answer is a 20 second elevator speech. It must break all barriers and sum up the experience in more than just “it was great” but it cannot wind on for too long so that people lose interest. The perfect answer provides more insight into China, …
“How do you say hello and goodbye?” “Hello and goodbye!” “Okay. How do you say thank you?” “Thank you!” I clearly wasn’t getting the answer I wanted from our academic dean Professor Evers. Since he’s from the Netherlands, I thought it would be culturally considerate to ask him how to say some basic Dutch phrases …
This is my recap of the last week in China. Honestly, when I realized that I only had a week left, and still so much I needed to do, on top of all my finals … I decided I could do it all. Finals for me weren’t that bad. As bad as writing almost 40 …
Oh wow, where do I begin? It’s so funny to go back and reread my first blog post and to see how scared I was. I remember those feelings of anxiety and fear, but they feel so far away. I read that and I don’t recognize the words. What I felt then and what I …
The countdown is on for my final days in Rome. Thinking about returning home is bittersweet; I can’t wait to see my family, but I really enjoy the Mediterranean lifestyle. Looking back, I’m so happy that I was able to have this opportunity. It fills me with so much joy to say that I was …
Fun Fact: Hong Kong is the only known place on Earth where you can pronounce the name without moving your tongue and your lips. Last weekend, my friends Kim and Henry and I ventured to Hong Kong for Kim’s birthday weekend and our second to last weekend in China (!!! What !!!). Lucky for us, …
In the spirit of Thanksgiving (though a week late) and as my time here draws to a close, I would like to appreciate some of the most unexpected and outrageous things I’ve experienced during my time in Vietnam. There are much too many instances to note, so instead, here is a list of my top …
Ciao a tutti! My last out of Italy trip, and I am sad. This has all been moving by way too fast, but I am trying to enjoy it all and live in the moment and not get caught up by the impending doom that is finals week. Let’s focus on what is important here, …
Thanksgiving, regardless of whether you’re back in the States or not, is still a time to appreciate all the wonderful things that surround you in life. I haven’t really missed home too much until this holiday, when all my friends and family were together and I was halfway across the world, but in reality, it …