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About Virginia O'Connor

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So far Virginia O'Connor has created 121 blog entries.

Unforgettable Lessons from 5 Questions Asked in 5 Cities Abroad

2025-08-26T07:44:56-07:00

What happens when a Type-A planner loses her wallet in Berlin? When is a €15 burger worth it? Through five European cities and five crucial questions, Alyson Lee (UC Berkeley) discovers that the best study abroad lessons come from embracing the unexpected. From Paris's Instagram expectations to Madrid's humble revelations, these are the moments that transform tourist experiences into life-changing wisdom.

Unforgettable Lessons from 5 Questions Asked in 5 Cities Abroad2025-08-26T07:44:56-07:00

The First 24 Hours: Two Stories of What Can Go Wrong Abroad

2025-08-26T10:58:16-07:00

When two UC students, Justine Pendergraft (UC Los Angeles) and Maria Newman (UC Berkeley) arrived for their study abroad programs—one in Berlin, one in Paris—they faced every traveler's worst nightmares within their first 24 hours. These are the unexpected and valuable lessons study abroad teaches you. They each discovered that those dreaded "what if" scenarios from predeparture orientation aren't just warnings—they were opportunities to prove just how resourceful you can be.

The First 24 Hours: Two Stories of What Can Go Wrong Abroad2025-08-26T10:58:16-07:00

How a Broken Wrist in Barcelona Taught Me Resilience

2025-08-19T15:51:25-07:00

During her study abroad experience in Barcelona, UC Santa Cruz student Lila Franco faced an unexpected challenge when a fall led to a double wrist fracture requiring surgery. Despite this setback, she found strength in the experience and used it as an opportunity to share valuable safety tips with future study abroad students, turning her "permanent souvenir" into a lesson in resilience.

How a Broken Wrist in Barcelona Taught Me Resilience2025-08-19T15:51:25-07:00

The Truth About Study Abroad: It’s Messy, Beautiful and Worth It

2025-08-26T10:21:41-07:00

From stolen phones in Madrid to sleepless nights in Florence, three UC students reveal that studying abroad isn't always picture-perfect—and that's exactly what makes it transformative. Through honest stories of culture shock, small victories, and unexpected friendships, they share how the challenging moments become the ones that matter most. Whether you're dreaming about study abroad or already navigating life in a new country, discover why the messy, beautiful reality of studying abroad is more valuable than any carefully curated social media feed.

The Truth About Study Abroad: It’s Messy, Beautiful and Worth It2025-08-26T10:21:41-07:00

The American Student Who Wasn’t: Creating the French Version of Me

2025-08-20T09:15:49-07:00

When California native, Micah-Rose Hoffman, arrived in in Bordeaux for study abroad, she made a surprising discovery: what should have felt foreign instead felt like coming home. Through language learning, cultural immersion, and daily life in France, this student from UC Los Angeles created a second identity for herself—proving that cultural belonging isn't just inherited, it can be built from scratch. Her story reveals how study abroad can help us find versions of ourselves we never knew existed.

The American Student Who Wasn’t: Creating the French Version of Me2025-08-20T09:15:49-07:00

Dear Lily: A Love Letter to My Montreal Dream

2025-08-11T13:29:24-07:00

Lily Frohlich (University of California, Santa Cruz) never imagined that her childhood dream of living in Canada would begin with crushing loneliness in the midst of Montreal's brutal winter. Through pushing past her comfort zone and learning to initiate friendships, she transforms isolated days into warm gatherings, discovering that the path to belonging in a new country requires both vulnerability and courage.

Dear Lily: A Love Letter to My Montreal Dream2025-08-11T13:29:24-07:00

An Introvert’s Guide to Study Abroad

2025-06-23T11:17:49-07:00

As an introvert who found her stride in Edinburgh's cobblestone streets, Jillian Jimenez (UC Los Angeles) shares how she transformed from a self-described introvert into someone who discovered magic in saying "yes" to unexpected adventures. From finding solitude in hidden bookshops to spontaneous pub nights that led to chance celebrity encounters, she offers practical strategies for introverts to thrive abroad without losing their authentic selves. Her journey proves that with the right balance of pushing your comfort zone and honoring the need for solitude, introverts can turn their perceived limitations into unique advantages on study abroad.

An Introvert’s Guide to Study Abroad2025-06-23T11:17:49-07:00

5 Steps to Break the Comfort Zone Trap and Adopt a Study Abroad Mindset

2025-06-23T11:14:43-07:00

Before studying abroad in Rome, Monique Evdokiou (UC Berkeley) felt fully prepared, but quickly found herself stuck in a limiting routine. By resetting her expectations, exploring on her own, and embracing curiosity, she broke out of my comfort zone and immersed in the culture. The mindset shift made her semester unforgettable, teaching her resilience, independence, and the joy of living intentionally.

5 Steps to Break the Comfort Zone Trap and Adopt a Study Abroad Mindset2025-06-23T11:14:43-07:00

Immersion 101: How to Go From Tourist to Local in 3 Steps

2025-06-23T10:49:44-07:00

When UC Berkeley student Larisa Rodriguez landed in Barcelona for her summer abroad, she arrived armed with color-coded spreadsheets and minute-by-minute itineraries. What she didn't expect was how quickly she'd learn to throw them away. In this guide to genuine cultural immersion, Rodriguez shares her transformation from dedicated planner to spontaneous explorer, offering a three-step approach that took her far beyond the typical study abroad experience. Her story proves that while tourist attractions might bring you to a city, it's the unplanned moments – from impromptu beach siestas to getting lost in narrow streets – that make it feel like home.

Immersion 101: How to Go From Tourist to Local in 3 Steps2025-06-23T10:49:44-07:00

Beyond the Semester: Why a Year Abroad Changes Everything

2025-06-09T09:20:34-07:00

UCEAP students who studied abroad for a year share why "more is better" when it comes to international education. Through personal stories of transformation, they reveal how a full year abroad allows you to move beyond being a tourist to becoming a true local - experiencing all four seasons, celebrating cultural traditions, and building lasting international friendships. Their experiences show how a year abroad can transform not just your academic journey, but your entire approach to life. Aliyah Flamson Rubalcava (UCSC), Elias Veran (UCSB), Sarah Schecter (UCLA), Shaun Colegado (UCM)

Beyond the Semester: Why a Year Abroad Changes Everything2025-06-09T09:20:34-07:00
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