by Virginia O'Connor | Mar 31, 2026 | Europe, UC San Diego
By Marisol Mendoza (UC San Diego) studied abroad in Barcelona By the time I arrived in Barcelona in August, 2023, I’d already received multiple messages from UCEAP about culture shock. I naively believed that because I spoke Spanish and had briefly visited the...
by Virginia O'Connor | Mar 31, 2026 | Europe, Local Living, UC Berkeley
Contributors: Stella Keval (UC Berkeley) and Max Morena (UC Berkeley), 2024 blog writing contestants Step into the world of Sweden’s oldest universities, where centuries-old traditions blend seamlessly with modern student life to create an experience unlike any other....
by Virginia O'Connor | Mar 31, 2026 | Americas, Local Living, UCLA
By Jamie Stickelmaier (UC Los Angeles), studied abroad in Santiago, Chile There are countless reasons why people study abroad—I was motivated to become fluent in Spanish. While Spanish was my mother’s first language, it was rarely spoken at home. My childhood is full...
by Virginia O'Connor | Mar 31, 2026 | Europe, Personal Growth, UCLA
Jillian Jimenez (UC Los Angeles) studied abroad in Edinburgh Making the decision to study abroad—leaving behind friends, family, and everything familiar—can be daunting. For introverts, or anyone who recharges or feels the most relaxed during moments of solitude, the...
by Virginia O'Connor | Mar 31, 2026 | Americas, Local Living, UC Berkeley
By Katherine Rodriguez (UC Berkeley) studied abroad in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Studying abroad has been the greatest gift I could give myself. I’ve seen world wonders with international students, solidified my passion to teach English abroad, and fully immersed myself...
