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.

Coming back to the USA felt like an easy readjustment. Life in Japan felt whimsical in a way: where public transportation worked, my own funds didn't feel like a limit to my life, and the temples all over the country were a reminder of the rich history of the Japanese nation. It almost made sense that I would go back to my life before, where things felt ubiquitous. I found that the people I'm closest to really enjoyed listening to my adventures in Japan, which was really nice.

I'm writing this in a cafe (not interesting), rushing before I have to go meet a man on his balcony in 1.5 hours (more interesting) while in the second week of the month-long Building-Integrated Agriculture study abroad program in Singapore (very interesting).

Wow, it’s hard to believe two weeks of my program have already flown by! I feel like I’ve truly settled into my daily life here. Now, I can navigate around the city without any trouble. One of the wonderful parts about Spain is that the cities are walkable and they have a comprehensive public transport system. For this reason, you see significantly more people out and about in the city since people aren’t reliant on cars. Also, compared to the US, Spain is more collectivist, and regular outdoor meetings are more typical. 

So far, my experience has been nothing short of amazing. Being halfway done with my internship experience in Singapore, soon to be followed by 4 more months of academic travel in the region, I can say that using Singapore as my starting country was an excellent choice. If you're looking for a country that has food from every corner of the world, is English-oriented in a new environment, and is a global hub that looks good on any CV. I'd say Singapore is the obvious choice. While cost can get expensive at times, I truly do think it's what you make of it.

My time abroad has been as delightful as expected. Due to the nature of my internship and set work hours created by my company, I am only required to be in the office for three days out of the five. This gives me plenty of time to explore Shanghai on my own. I enjoy taking the time to visit popular shopping centers and streets, as well as new restaurants and tourist attractions. As shopping can get repetitive over time, I’ve been looking at new places to visit like art museums, aquariums, and centers that give unique experiences.