Returning to the US and settling back into my routine in Eugene was an eye-opening experience that deepened my appreciation for both cultures. While the differences between Italy and the US were immediately noticeable when I first arrived in Italy, it wasn’t until I came back that I truly…

Hey everyone! I've just wrapped up my incredible study abroad experience in Tokyo. I thought I'd share my journey of readjustment and some pieces of wisdom I've picked up along the way.  Image For those of you planning to study abroad (…

I flew back to the US last week, August 4. Before returning to California I stayed a week in New York City to visit my brother. Being able to speak the language made me feel more respected by the culture. I had never been to New York so I didn’t know what to expect in terms of customs. New York is…

Image It was extremely hard leaving Siena yesterday. The four weeks went by so quickly, it is difficult to grasp where the time went. But I know that it flew by because of how much I was enjoying my time in Siena. Siena was by far the safest…

Returning to the U.S. or the University of Oregon isn't my immediate concern, as I've already graduated and plan to spend the next month traveling through Vietnam and Japan. This extended time abroad allows me to further immerse myself in different cultures and savor my experiences without the…

Image The hardest part of my time here is accepting the realization that my ethnic background has been blurred because of the community I live in back at home. Prior to my trip, it is not that I am oblivious to the fact that I am whitewashed –…

Coming home from any trip can be a readjustment. Coming home from eight weeks studying abroad in a foreign country is certainly a new experience for many people, me included. When you first arrive in your study abroad country, it is easy to get caught up in the thought of what you would be doing at…

Image I fell in love with a woman, that woman is ME. During my study abroad, as a woman who has had children who are now in their twenties, been married, been divorced, lived in different states, in the country and the big city. I still learned…

I have been absolutely loving my time abroad in Italy and my favorite part so far has been taking weekend adventures to other cities in the area. Siena is very centrally located with a great train and bus system that makes it easy to get around Tuscany. In my time here I have visited Genoa,…

Hey everyone! I'm a little over halfway through my internship in Japan, and it’s been amazing. Is it what I expected? Yes and no – and that's what makes it so exciting and challenging at the same time.  Let me tell you, being an African American student in Japan has been quite the experience…