Ever since I began my travel adventures, I have been searching for this feeling; the feeling of home. I have always loved experiencing new cultures, meeting new people, making connections around the world, and putting myself outside of my comfort zone. My parents have always asked me where I could see myself living someday, and I never had an answer. I had loved so many places, but nowhere ever felt like somewhere I could truly call my second home. Until Copenhagen.

My three-week study abroad experience in Ecuador was one of the most memorable experiences I have had in college. Our group visited Quito, various eco lodges, Artisana National Park, and the Amazon rainforest. Passionate about ecology, we had hands-on lab experiences, short lectures, and even a small research project. Though Ecuador is a relatively small country, it was exceptionally diverse in culture, ecosystems, and animal life.

Spending eight weeks in Paris, France as a website development intern was one of the most rewarding and challenging experiences of my life. While I was excited to live in one of the world's most famous cities, I quickly realized that working abroad would require me to adapt in ways I had never expected.

Studying abroad in London for four weeks was truly one of the best experiences of my college career. I loved being able to take what I was learning in my business classes, especially Cross-Cultural Business Communication and Marketing Arts, and experience it firsthand through company visits, cultural experiences, and exploring London. Being immersed in a new environment gave me a much better understanding of how culture influences the way people communicate, market, and do business around the world. 

This was my third GEO program, and it easily set itself apart. Beyond the beautiful excursions, our Professors Karen and Casey Walker stand out for their dedication, carefully structured curriculum, and insightful feedback during workshops and discussions. In just four weeks, this coursework helped me complete my creative writing minor and grow immensely as a writer, both in sharpening my craft and learning to embrace constructive critique.

-Lola Tagwerker, Creative Writing in Oviedo

It’s hard to believe that my study abroad trip is already over. I’m back in Burgos with my family, where it feels like I’ve stepped back into summer (my last week in Asturias was overcast and drizzly). It felt like an early start to autumn weather in Oviedo, but the people there don’t seem to mind, saying it’s what keeps the city green. Oviedo is green, literally and figuratively. Beyond the weather, what really struck me was how environmentally conscious daily life is there.

My time in Barcelona, Spain, is officially over, and looking back, I don't think I realized how much I would change until I started seeing pieces of home again. During my last few weeks, I got to explore more of Barcelona's architecture, including Casa Batlló and finally seeing the Sagrada Família. Getting to see the Sagrada Família with my mom made the experience even more special because it was something I had wanted to see since arriving. 

We're now in our third and final week in Singapore, and I'm not gonna lie to you: I’m ready to go home. You know how toward the end of your leg day gym session, when your quads are wobbly, sweat is rolling down your back, and you're just ready to go home? That's how I normally feel toward the end of a school term, but this summer it feels different. I've had other architecture terms (albeit, in my first year, when I was still learning time management for this field) where every other day, I'm up until 2 am, working a part-time job, and taking an extra class than I should. That's hard.

After returning to the US after spending two months in Shanghai, a lot of what I’ve been doing is just resting! I just had a busy two months, so I’ve spent time at my family’s house in Oregon dealing with post-trip fatigue. Coming back to the US was, truthfully, sad. Life in China was incredibly convenient: walkable cities, great public transportation, many things to do, and affordable activities and meals.