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How Embracing Uncertainty Led to My Greatest Adventure

How Embracing Uncertainty Led to My Greatest Adventure

by Virginia O'Connor | Apr 20, 2026 | Europe, Home Feature, Personal Growth, UC Irvine

By Valerie Elizabeth Cruz (UC Irvine) studied abroad in Dublin, Ireland Like many first-generation college students, I started my journey at UC Irvine with a desperate need for a concrete plan. I had no idea what my undergraduate career would manifest, and as a...
How I Visited 7 Countries on a College Budget

How I Visited 7 Countries on a College Budget

by Jennifer Monroe | Mar 31, 2026 | Europe, Funding Your Education Abroad, UC Irvine

by Ava Williams (UC Irvine), studied abroad in Florence, Italy As an out-of-state student financing my own travel, planning affordable weekend trips while studying abroad, and staying on budget seemed daunting. And here’s the twist: I visited 7 countries over 11...
Homesick While Abroad? Let’s Talk About It

Homesick While Abroad? Let’s Talk About It

by Virginia O'Connor | Mar 30, 2026 | Europe, Personal Growth, UC Irvine

By Kylee Cochram (UC Santa Barbara) studied abroad in the Netherlands With pro tips shared by study abroad advisors As I prepared for studying abroad, I was so excited for all the new friends, experiences and opportunities. This would be a total shift from the life I...
Anxiety said “Stay,” But Europe Called: Five Lessons from my Study Abroad Experience

Anxiety said “Stay,” But Europe Called: Five Lessons from my Study Abroad Experience

by Virginia O'Connor | Apr 15, 2025 | Europe, Health and Wellness, UC Irvine

By Harper Parsley (UC Irvine) studied abroad in London and Paris My biggest struggle in school has always been mental health. Even while studying engaging topics that I found interesting, I would be overwhelmed by deadlines. If you’re attending a four-year...
6 Reasons Business Majors Should Choose London to Study Abroad

6 Reasons Business Majors Should Choose London to Study Abroad

by Virginia O'Connor | Sep 3, 2024 | Academics, Career Prep, Choosing a Program, Europe, UC Irvine

by Christina Chi (UC Irvine) Why London provides a lasting impact on your future business career Studying abroad is a transformative experience for every student, and it’s especially compelling for business majors seeking to expand their horizons and deepen...
Navigating Scholarships to Study Abroad: A First-Gen Student’s Roadmap

Navigating Scholarships to Study Abroad: A First-Gen Student’s Roadmap

by Virginia O'Connor | Jul 15, 2024 | Europe, Funding Your Education Abroad, UC Irvine

By Qi Jun Chen (UC Irvine) Too many first-generation students put off studying abroad because they believe it’s too expensive. The good news? There are so many scholarships out there just waiting for first-gen students like us to apply. I was able to score multiple...
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Study Abroad Program: Lund University, Sweden
Program Location: Lund, Sweden
Other Countries Visited: Denmark, Germany, Czech Republic, Austria,
Hungary, and Norway

Home University: UC Berkeley
Major:  Bioengineering
Year: Junior (Graduating Spring 2017)

Alison Long is a rising senior studying tissue engineering and drug delivery at UC Berkeley. She loves spending time outdoors, hiking, biking and playing soccer. As a nature enthusiast, her travels involved exploring national parks and canvassing tulip festivals around Europe. In her free time, Alison enjoys painting and watching cooking competitions on the Food Network.