GEO Blog

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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Almost Parisian

Giana smiling on a rooftop in Paris on a cloudy day with the Eiffel tower in the skyline.
I am now halfway through my program, and I will come home in a few weeks! I’ve honestly seen a lot, such as the palace of Versailles, the Eiffel Tower sparkling at night, and the Arc De Triomphe. I’ve been inside the Louvre, walked around Montmartre, and I even took an hour-long train to Giverny to…

Lessons from Fika

Ava smiling under a cherry blossom tree in Stockholm, Sweden
I am halfway through my time in Stockholm, and there is still so much to do! Every week, it seems something new to do or visit pops up, whether through a co-worker recommendation, a bus advertisement, or even an Instagram post. One highlight was culture night, when almost every museum in the city…

Stepping into Barcelona

Kunal posing in front of the Sagrada Família in Barcelona, Spain
Hello! My name is Kunal Mehta; I am a first-year master's student in Architecture at the University of Oregon. I am neurodivergent and enjoy seeing the patterns in life, through my work I am able to help many people with affordable housing, regenerative architecture, and urban design; Which is the…

London Calling

Hana smiling in front of the Big Ben in London wearing a trench coat under a cloudy sky
Hello! My name is Hana Smith, and I am a Global Studies major with a focus on international trade and tourism. I was born and raised in Japan until I was 15, which gave me a deep appreciation for cross-cultural communication and the nuances of interacting across many different cultures. Throughout…

The Long Way Home

Kyler and three other students throwing their "O" on a cloudy day in Hong Kong, China.
Now that I’m officially back in the United States, I’ve had a lot of time to reflect on my time in Hong Kong and how it's affected how I see myself and the world around me. That said, I had to navigate my way back first before I could reflect. Getting back to the US wasn’t a very difficult trek…

A Bittersweet Goodbye

Valeria smiling on the grass in Costa Rica while drinking from a coconut.
My nine weeks in Costa Rica have come to an end, and while I am heartbroken to leave, I am eternally grateful to have experienced the beauty of it all. I am bringing back with me new recipes, experiences, and memories that have shaped me into a new person. My farewell dinner with my host family was…

A Scandinavian Start

Student smiling in front colorful buildings in Stortorget, Sweden
Hello! I am Ava, a third-year environmental science major interning abroad in Stockholm, Sweden, a program I had not heard UO many students talk about during my application process. I hope to spread the word and help more students understand Stockholm, and come here as well! I chose Stockholm…

Bonjour, Paris

Giana smiling by the Eiffel Tower under a partly cloudy sky.
Hello, Giana Eddy here! I am a Diverse Duck for the Spring term of 2026, as I am studying abroad in Paris, France. Today is March 30th. I arrived in Paris on March 27th. Upon my arrival, I picked up my checked luggage at Charles de Gaulle Airport and took a taxi to my apartment. Today is actually…

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…