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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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. Image…

Finding Myself in Melbourne

Calvin taking a selfie in sunny Melbourne with skyscrapers in the background.
My name is Calvin, and I have now been in Melbourne, Australia, for almost two months! It has flown by, packed with adventures, new faces, and more self-reflection than I expected. Last weekend I spent time on the Gold Coast surfing and hiking with friends I've made here. Image…

Before You Board...Download These First

Phone booth in London with Big Ben in the background
When I went to London to study politics, the most common piece of advice I heard about my phone was to keep it away or close at all times so it wouldn’t get stolen. However, nobody mentioned how it is also one of your most powerful tools–even before you arrive in your host country.Google MapsOn my…

The Unexpected Benefits of Studying Abroad

2024 summer in Berlin with the CHC collage.
Image Seeing the bigger picture. For each person, this could mean something different. Whether it be experiencing a different culture or becoming aware of new opportunities, studying abroad opens your eyes.  For me, it meant…

My First Week in Hong Kong

Group of students sitting at a dinner table
Hello! I'm Kyler (he/they) and I am currently participating in the GlobalWorks Internship program in Hong Kong doing software consulting! I am a first generation sophomore at UO majoring in data science. I'm also a Pell Grant recipient. Because of my requirement of financial aid to help me through…

My Arrival to Costa Rica

various colorful fruits at the Heredia Mercado
Hello! My name is Valeria Manzano Ballesteros, and I am a first gen Latina/Hispanic student at the University of Oregon. This is my last year at UO, and I am ready and excited to see what the future holds for me! I'm looking forward to highlighting my experience abroad through my identities as a…

Landing in Melbourne

Calvin, in running clothes, a hat, and sunglasses, takes a selfie, with a trail of runners behind him
Image When most people think of computer science majors, they picture us hunched over laptops in dimly lit rooms, but here I am in sunny Melbourne, Australia! My name is Calvin, and I chose to do an internship through the GEO GlobalWorks program…