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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Landing in Melbourne

Calvin, in running clothes, a hat, and sunglasses, takes a selfie, with a trail of runners behind him
Image My boss and I 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…

Returning from Kansai

picture taken outside at nighttime; a gate above the sidewalk is illuminated by small lights, people are walking under the gate
Hello blog!  Where do I begin! I believe my last post was a bit fire and brimstone, because I was not really feeling great here on my internship experience, honestly. There were many expected challenges interning abroad alone, such as cultural and language barriers, but it was…

Wrapping Up My First Semester in Svalbard

Maddy and 5 friends stand together in the snow with the northern lights tinting the sky with a green hue
The first semester of my year in Svalbard has finished, and I simply cannot believe how fast it has gone by. It feels like I blinked and suddenly the sun set and polar night started, the sky lighting up with the moon and northern lights rather than the sun. But time truly doesn't go by any faster…

Finding Home in More Than One Place

Ava stands on a balcony, with city buildings in the background
Image Hi everyone! This is Ava, updating you with my final blog post. Coming back to the US has been a mix of excitement and heaviness. I was so ready to see my family and friends again, but it honestly hurt to leave behind the people who became…

Experiencing Work Culture in Kansai

Elizabeth at a cafe and a collage of various, brightly-colored food
So, frankly, my perspective has changed quite a bit since my last blog post. My time in Japan previously both traveling and as a student did not prepare me for the Japanese workplace in the way I thought it would. This was to be expected, but here I am. There's been a lot of challenges for me in…

Koselig in Svalbard

students climbing on rocks with mountains in the distance
Image I am just over my three month mark living in Norway in Svalbard! I cannot believe how fast the time has gone, and I am so excited to continue during the polar night! The sun set for the last time until February on October 25th, and now we…

Reflecting on My Experience in New Zealand

a group of 10 people stand together indoors
Image I will be flying home in less than two weeks, and I am very excited to return to UO and see my family. Although I am not home yet, I want to share my reflections as I close out my time in New Zealand. When I first arrived, I expected to be…

Reflecting on My Time in Segovia So Far

Ava stands on a balcony, with a city building in the background
Image Hello! I'm Ava, and this is my second blog post during my time here in Segovia, Spain, where I'm studying Spanish Language and Culture.I've been living in Spain for almost two months now, and my time abroad has been nothing like I could've…

Returning to Japan

Elizabeth in cosplay as character Giorno Giovanna at a Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure themed ramen place in Osaka
First off, let me establish who I am and my expectations being a Diverse Duck abroad. I’ve actually been to Japan many times now—this would be my third or fourth trip—and the last time I went was for an 8 month study abroad program in Osaka (hence why I want to return there, I fell in love with the…

My First Month in Segovia

three students stand on a balcony with city buildings in the background
Image Hi everyone! My name is Ava Momtazi, and I am currently studying Spanish language and culture here in Segovia, Spain.To start off, I must day I've been having an absolute blast. Living in a beautiful, walkable city with cobblestone streets…