Personal Growth Stories
How to Grow Confidence Abroad: Lessons from My Barcelona Garden
By Brooke McKenna Taylor (UC Santa Cruz), studied abroad in Barcelona, Spain If there is one thing known about me, it is that I love the color green. I love the green found at my home university, in the redwoods, in the seaweed by the seashore, and in the rolling...
Unforgettable Lessons from 5 Questions Asked in 5 Cities Abroad
By Alyson Lee (UC Berkeley) Every study abroad journey begins with questions. How do I apply for a visa? Where will I live? What should I pack and why must all my liquids fit in a quart-sized bag? But as I discovered during my semester in Madrid, the real...
The First 24 Hours: Two Stories of What Can Go Wrong Abroad
Contributors: Justine Pendergraft (UC Los Angeles) and Maria Newman (UC Berkeley) 2024 blog writing contestants It turns out all that talk in the UCEAP predeparture orientations about embassies, health care, and emergency numbers—none of which sounds familiar or...
The Truth About Study Abroad: It’s Messy, Beautiful and Worth It
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...
A Journey Inward: How Daily Journaling Leads to Personal Growth
How will you record the once-in-a-lifetime journey that is study abroad? Alex Masci (UC Berkeley) decided to rely on an a familiar technique: journaling, and in the process discovered how writing helped her achieve personal growth. Each entry is a testament to the power of journaling, capturing the most exciting moments and those subtle moments of growth and reflection all in the pages of a journal.
From Strangers to Family: Building Your Community Abroad
When fifty friends gathered around a makeshift Thanksgiving table in Edinburgh, they were no longer strangers but family. From joining Scotland’s oldest sport to creating nightly traditions in the Warrender dorms, one UC Santa Barbara student shares how she transformed her biggest study abroad fear – loneliness – into an unforgettable story of community and connection. Through candlelit dinners, Highland adventures, and tearful goodbyes at Kings Cross Station, discover how saying “yes” to every opportunity built lasting friendships that bridged 5,000 miles.
A Solo Traveler’s Guide to Europe: Lessons from Study Abroad
Solene Granatur, a seasoned solo traveler, shares practical tips and heartwarming moments from her study abroad journey across Europe. From navigating budget airlines to finding community in unexpected places, discover how to make the most of your solo adventures while staying safe and savvy abroad.
Navigating Chronic Illness on Study Abroad
Imagine wearing an invisible backpack filled with a random number of rocks each morning – this is how Kaitlyn McWalters (UC Berkeley) describes living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS). Despite the daily challenges of managing a chronic illness, she chose to pursue her dream of studying in Japan. Her story offers practical insights and inspiration for students who wonder if their health conditions might prevent them from going abroad.
Reflections on Studying Abroad in Germany
As a first-generation student who immigrated from South Korea, (UC Berkeley) Youngseong Ryu’s semester in Berlin marked more than just a study abroad experience—it was a milestone in personal growth. Through Berlin’s stunning architecture, rich artistic culture, and complex history, he discovered new perspectives that would shape his future as an art educator.
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