GEO Blog

GEO Blog

Want to experience the world through the eyes of our students? Dive into the GEO blog and discover captivating tales of adventure, culture, and academic growth. Share your study abroad journey with us by sharing your own blog post!

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My First Week in Barcelona

Kunal posing in front of the Sagrada Família in Barcelona, Spain
Hello! My name is Kunal Mehta; I am a first-year master's student in Architecture at the University of Oregon. I am neurodivergent and enjoy seeing the patterns in life, through my work I am able to help many people with affordable housing, regenerative architecture, and urban design; Which is the…

My First Week in London

Hana smiling in front of the Big Ben in London wearing a trench coat under a cloudy sky
Hello! My name is Hana Smith, and I am a Global Studies major with a focus on international trade and tourism. I was born and raised in Japan until I was 15, which gave me a deep appreciation for cross-cultural communication and the nuances of interacting across many different cultures. Throughout…

Reflecting on My Time in Hong Kong

Kyler and three other students throwing their "O" on a cloudy day in Hong Kong, China.
Now that I’m officially back in the United States, I’ve had a lot of time to reflect on my time in Hong Kong and how it's affected how I see myself and the world around me. That said, I had to navigate my way back first before I could reflect. Getting back to the US wasn’t a very difficult trek—…

A Bittersweet Goodbye

Valeria smiling on the grass in Costa Rica while drinking from a coconut.
My nine weeks in Costa Rica have come to an end, and while I am heartbroken to leave, I am eternally grateful to have experienced the beauty of it all. I am bringing back with me new recipes, experiences, and memories that have shaped me into a new person. My farewell dinner with my host family was…

My First Week in Stockholm

Student smiling in front colorful buildings in Stortorget, Sweden
Hello! I am Ava, a third-year environmental science major interning abroad in Stockholm, Sweden, a program I had not heard UO many students talk about during my application process. I hope to spread the word and help more students understand Stockholm, and come here as well! I chose Stockholm…

My First Week in Paris

Giana smiling by the Eiffel Tower under a partly cloudy sky.
Hello, Giana Eddy here! I am a Diverse Duck for the Spring term of 2026, as I am studying abroad in Paris, France. Today is March 30th. I arrived in Paris on March 27th. Upon my arrival, I picked up my checked luggage at Charles de Gaulle Airport and took a taxi to my apartment. Today is actually…

Reflecting on My Time in Melbourne

Calvin surfing with friends on Philip Island
What a whirlwind the past eight weeks have been! As I wrap up my time here, I’m looking back on a journey that evolved much faster than I ever anticipated. My internship just finished on a high note: I completed the major projects my boss and I laid out at the start, and I’m still processing this,…

Navigating London (Literally)

Two classmates sit on the tube together
Studying abroad in London was a culture shock in a different way than I had imagined. I spoke the language and looked similar to locals; however, the way I thought about moving through a city couldn't have been more different. When I arrived at the GEO center in London, they passed out Oyster…

Halfway Through My Time in Hong Kong

a group of people sit around a large circle table, many dressed in red; they are all smiling and celebrating Chinese New Year
Hello again! I’m now officially a little over halfway through my internship in Hong Kong. The last few weeks have been Chinese New Year, so there have been some amazing celebrations going on with festivals, fireworks, and lots of food. Myself and the other interns here decided to celebrate by…

The Halfway Mark

Group of about 10 students stand with a Costa Rica flag
My time in Costa Rica has been great! Costa Rica is full of culture, beauty, and delicious food. I have had the opportunity to explore several of the providences of Costa Rica and visited some volcanoes, too. I have included a picture of Volcan Poas and Volcan Arenal. One thing that has been…