Australia: Pre-Departure” “Are we there yet?” by Bree Daigneault

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Elizabeth Quay Bridge in Perth at sunset.
I plan on experiencing not just Perth but Western Australia (okay well maybe not all of it, as it’s a pretty big state). I hope to make friends that are just as interested as I am in seeing the city, the beaches and the more rural areas. So I’m going down under with a big ole smile on my face and tons of charisma baby. After all, how could I not?

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Costa Rica: Post-Program Reflection: “Being Back” by Alexis Bryson

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A man stands on a surfboard in shallow, tropical water
Because of everyone I encountered who tried really hard to ensure that I had a good experience, I would love to pay it forward any way I can from just helping an exchange student find something on campus to reaching out and being their friend to maybe eventually being a host myself.

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Costa Rica: End of Program: “Saying Goodbye” by Alexis Bryson

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Dramatic Sunset in Costa Rica
It will never be like how it was in that last moment together because none of us will be the same again after this experience. That’s OK though, because we will always have memories of our time together, and that is enough.

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The Czech Republic: Pre-Departure by Leatha Starks

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Charles Bridge at dusk
If I had to narrow it down, I think as of right now, I’m most excited to get there and marvel at all the amazing architecture! Many people have told me that Prague is a beautiful city and I just can’t wait to see it for myself. Pictures can only show you so much, you know? I want to smell the air, taste the food, hear the people. All the senses!

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Portugal: Post Program Reflection: “Acabado ou Comecado” by Jeremy Caldeira

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Acabado ou Começado

The title of this final post detailing my experience in Portugal is fitting. Acabado means finished in Portuguese. But, am I finished with Portugal? Most definitely not. Although I cannot determine my own future, my goals for it have changed. I’d like to think that maybe the other proper term for this post should be começado, because I’ve only really just started.

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Portugal: End of Program: “Goodbyes Hurt” by Jeremy Caldeira

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It is now less than 10 days until I set foot on American soil again. I have spent the last 98 days based in Portugal. It has been an eventful 98 days of adventure, of meeting new people, of trying new foods, of exploring new places. I wouldn’t give back a single moment of it. But, now, I face the reality that I will have to give up a lot within the next 10 days. I will have to say goodbye to so many people that have made this experience worth it, some that I may see again, some that I may not. I will be saying goodbye to places that have become part of my routine. I will also be saying goodbye to some things I won’t really miss. Nevertheless, no matter who or what I am saying goodbye to, it doesn’t make any of these goodbyes any easier. Goodbyes hurt.

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Mexico: Mid Program by Mason Waller

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I have reached about the halfway point of my stay here in Mexico and I think it’s time I address some of my day to day experiences here. By choosing to come to Mexico I put myself in a position where I have to live in a culture that’s pretty different from my own. While it’s an amazing experience and I wouldn’t change it for the world, it did take a little getting used to.

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