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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Settling into life in London

A young man sits by the Brighton coast
Throughout the first two weeks of studying abroad I have had so many different experiences throughout the city of London. Being able to experience so many variations of museums, attractions, and for me architecture especially has been the most special aspect of studying abroad. There is never a…

Reflecting on my time in the Galapagos

A woman by the ocean
I got depressed a few days before leaving San Cristobal. I didn’t want to leave. I didn’t feel like I had seen enough, experienced enough, or done enough research. My trip passed in a dream like state and the assignments were so time consuming that I didn’t have the opportunity to process enough.…

My experience in the Galapagos

Two young women sitting at a table
My name is Elise O’Brien and I am a multidisciplinary scholar, a masters student in two programs: Folklore studies and Landscape Architecture. I am also a nontraditional student and a student parent. I love to work internationally and I am involved in global research: one of my student jobs has…

Adventures and challenges in Japan

A young man stands in front of a Japanese temple
Hey everyone! I'm about halfway through my study abroad in Japan, and I just had to share the incredible adventure I'm having. From the moment I landed in Tokyo, I knew I was in for something special.  First off, let's talk about the food. I thought I knew Japanese cuisine from sushi nights…

Connection and comfort amid culture shift

A young woman walking along a swinging bridge in the forest
I have been in Ghana for over a month now and time is really flying by. I am having an incredible time. We have visited the Central, Ashanti and Northern regions of Ghana, learning about cultural practices in each one. Central Region, home of Cape Coast, was especially interesting, as our Aya…

Going abroad as a non-traditional student

Students stand on a boat looking out into the ocean
Image My name is Elise O’Brien and I am a multidisciplinary scholar, a masters student in two programs: Folklore studies and Landscape Architecture. I am also a nontraditional student and a student parent. I love to work internationally and I…

Budgeting and Self-Trust in London

A young man stands in front of London's Tower Bridge
Image Hey Ducks! I’m Ashtin and as I reflect on the London study abroad experience as a low-income first-generation student, I have realized the importance of individualism and self-trust when arriving to a new country. Studying abroad is an…

Arriving to Madrid

Two young women stand together in Segovia, Spain
Image I am a quarter Puerto Rican, quarter Chilean and half Filipina. Growing up in a mixed family became a part of my identity, especially because I grew up in a predominantly white town; I felt distinct. But aside from eating Filipino and…

Coming Back from the Dream

A young woman stands on a busy street in Tokyo at night
My time in Japan was a dream, with each day offering something new. In Tokyo, I explored ancient Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines that have stood for over a thousand years, enjoyed the lively atmosphere of annual Sakura (Cherry Blossom) festivals during their peak season, and spent evenings…

Reflecting on my experience in Madrid

A young woman stands in a city square
Coming back to the US from Madrid was a mix of emotions. I felt grateful to return to my friends and family, but it was very hard to say goodbye to friends in Spain. During the last few days in Spain, I felt really nostalgic about everything. I was sad to ride the metro for the last time, sad to…