by Virginia O'Connor | Apr 20, 2026 | Europe, 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...
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...
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...
by Virginia O'Connor | Sep 19, 2025 | Choosing a Program, UC Berkeley, UC Irvine, UC San Diego, UC Santa Cruz, UCLA
Contributors: Elina Dern (UC Irvine), Finn Kopczynski (UC Santa Cruz), Amber Rivera-Munoz (UC Los Angeles), Harry Shih (UC San Diego), Sarah Zhang (UC Berkeley), Natalia Hackbarth (UCSD) and London Perelli (UC Berkeley), 2024 blog writing contestants Why would anyone...
by Virginia O'Connor | Aug 8, 2025 | Personal Growth, UC Berkeley, UC Irvine, UC Santa Barbara
Contributors: Ailun Shi (UC Berkeley), Claire Scott (UC Santa Barbara), and Sarah Salot (UC Irvine) 2024 blog writing contestants Let’s be real—no one’s study abroad experience perfectly matches their Instagram saved folder. Every student faces moments that never make...
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...
