Reflections of Studying in China
Post Program: Study Abroad Takeaways & Post Program Reflection
France: Post Program Reflection: “The Continuation of Something Great” by Sebastian Zgirski
The Continuation of Something Great
I remember clearly, the feeling of waking up at 4am getting ready and calling a cab to pick me up from the Kraków hostel I was staying at, of how drowsy and half asleep, yet serious I felt. I remember walking into the cold morning air, into darkness, and feeling a light breeze. I remember the ride to the airport which seemed like it lasted forever. I remember eating not one but two Paczki (Polish donuts) as I was waiting for my flight, savoring the last taste of my culture and homeland.
Ireland: Post Program Reflection: “Planning my Next Adventure” by Mikayla Monroe
Post-Program: Planning my Next Adventure
My mom, my sister, and I have a tradition whenever we leave somewhere we love. Regardless of the temperature, we go into the body of water we stayed near and dunk. Then, when we depart later that day, we go home with the lake or seawater in our hair. It’s our cheaper—and chillier—version of souvenirs. We did it last week when we left Lake Chelan, I did it the week before on a road trip to La Jolla, and I most certainly did in Ireland, thanks to going cliff jumping in Howth the day before my flight. Other souvenirs of my study abroad program in Ireland are much more long-lived, like the tiny black sheep on my desk from the Sheep and Wool Centre in Connemara, my Claddagh ring, or the bags of Tayto microwavable popcorn (which I should probably eat soon). Heck, even msn still provides me with Maynooth weather forecasts instead of Bellingham.
Israel: Post Program Reflection: “Back in the Bay” by Maytal Abramson
Germany & England: Post Program Reflection: “An Ending and a Beginning” by Joyia Squires
South Africa: Post Program Reflection: “Final Thoughts” by Daria Gausman
Final thoughts
Now that I’ve been home a few weeks (didn’t mean to wait this long for my final post…oops), I’ve had the opportunity to reflect on my time spent in South Africa. I”m just going to respond directly to WWU’s prompts for this post because I feel like their questions address everything I want to talk about pretty well.
Denmark: Post Program Reflection: “June in Copenhagen” by Megan Dale
Tanzania: Post Program Reflection: “Postcards From Africa” by Tara J. Quattrone
http://taraspostcards.blogspot.com/
Postcards From Africa
I have now been home from Tanzania for a few weeks. It’s interesting writing this now because it feels as though this program was now months ago, although it hasn’t been very long.
South Korea: Post Program Reflection: “Now that I’m Home” by Allison Ogle
England: Post Program Reflection: “Hello From the Other Side” by Mikayla Lawrence
South Korea: Post Program: “A Year Later” by Taiya Brown
A Year Later
I often look at my Facebook feed and can’t believe that it’s been over a year since I first arrived in Seoul. It feels like only yesterday that I took hundreds of pictures with my new and adventurous friends. I often feel like it was a dream because the whole experience was surreal, and the only thing that reminds me that it really happened is the fact that I’m still paying for it a year later (that and all the pictures). Thinking about going back makes me feel nervous all over again for the same things I was nervous for in the first place, but then I have to just laugh at myself because nothing was ever as big of a barrier as I expected it to be. I thought the language barrier would be scary, and if anything it’s nice not knowing what everyone is talking about all the time. I miss the experiences I had in Korea and I miss being able to experience something new every day.
Returnees: “What I Gained From Attending The Lessons From Abroad Conference in Seattle” by Jessie Raetz
If you’ve studied abroad, perhaps this evolution of thought sounds familiar.
You arrive to your new foreign home….
Australia: Exchange: Post Program: Study Abroad Takeaways & Reflection by Danika Mogensen
Post Program: Study Abroad Takeaways & Reflection
Continue reading
England & Netherlands: “Traveling with Anxiety” by Samantha Cook
Traveling with Anxiety
First I would like to say everyone’s experience with anxiety or own struggle with mental health is different. This is my experience and struggle I had and how I got through it.
Spain: Post Program: “Back to Reality, Re-Adjustment to Life in the States” by Nick Gillett
Back to Reality, Re-adjustment to Life in the States
With my re-entry into life in the states, my study abroad (and two extra weeks of travel) have come to a close. Leaving Europe was one of the hardest things about growing abroad because I knew my amazing time had to come to an end. And although I am no longer studying abroad, the experience itself still impacts my day to day life.