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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Navigating Challenges in Ghana

A young woman stands near an elephant
Hi, my name is Miriam Escoto! I am going into my junior year at UO, as a Global Studies major with minors in Global Health and Non-Profit Administration. I am a Mexican American student, a big part of my identity that has influenced my future career goals. As I have grown up learning how to…

Returning, Reuniting and Reflecting

Izzy de Klerk posing in front of a lake in Italy
Returning to the U.S. after my study abroad experience in Siena was truly a whirlwind of emotions. The transition from the cobblestone streets and rich culture of Italy to the familiarity of home was very bittersweet. I remember feeling exhausted from the journey yet eager to reunite with my loved…

Introduction - Interning in Tokyo

Student Zoe Tomlinson posing in front of the Tokyo skyline
Hi travelers, I’m Zoe! This spring term, I am thrilled to be living in Tokyo, Japan doing a data science internship with a software company called Dataseed that specializes in sustainable and equitable AI.  As a queer woman in a male-dominated field, I find meeting people with similar…

Navigating Japan Knowing No Japanese

Zoe Tomlinson taking a mirror selfie with a friend on an escalator
When I moved to Japan for my spring term, the extent of my language proficiency was 72 “days” of Duolingo Japanese. I was ready to take on language exchange, excited by the prospect of leaving with a solid, beginner-level Japanese skillset. However, I have lived here for a month now and my Japanese…

Reflecting on My Study Abroad Journey: Embracing Diversity, Overcoming Challenges, and Finding Growth

Student Isabelle de Klerk posing in front of a Tuscany landscape
As I sit down to reflect on my study abroad journey, I can't help but feel a whirlwind of emotions. It's been an incredible adventure, filled with breathtaking sights, enriching experiences, and valuable lessons. Yet, it hasn't been without its challenges, particularly as an African American woman…

Going Back Home After Six Months in Norwich

Group of people enjoying a picnic on a sunny day in a park.
Upon returning to the United States after spending 6 months in Norwich, England, I found myself to be quite tired. Obviously jet lag catches up with you, and all of the traveling, but I spent much of my summer relaxing. I found I had a lot of things I missed about living in Oregon, the nature, and…

My Study Abroad Journey in Siena

A girl in Siena, Italy
Hello, fellow adventurers! My name is Isabelle de Klerk, but you can call me Izzy. I'm a 19-year-old African American woman, and my pronouns are she/her. I am a Business major at the University of Oregon and I want to share my experiences and reflections with you as I embark on my study abroad…

The Beginning of my Internship in Madrid

UO student  Emma Egbert eating at a restaurant in Madrid, Spain
Hello! It’s a pleasure to begin writing. My name is Emma Egbert. I am a junior at UO studying finance. It is a gift to be able to study abroad this Spring in 2024. I am a part of the GlobalWorks program, where students are paired with internship opportunities and get to work in another country. My…

The Ending of my Story With South Korea

A girl in South Korea
The short and exciting roller coaster ride has officially come to an end. My time in South Korea felt like flying with a boomerang. I launched myself very far from home, I saw very beautiful skies and a whole new side of the world… and then quickly felt myself fly back with that boomerang, back to…

When I First Arrived in Japan

A boy in Japan
When I first arrived in Japan I had a strong desire to strengthen my connection to my Japanese heritage. Despite many challenges, I feel as though I am striving to meet that goal more with each passing day. As I approach the halfway mark of my study abroad at Waseda University, I would like to…