Three UC students discover how study abroad transforms identity in unexpected ways. Their stories reveal that studying abroad doesn’t require choosing between who you are and who you might become—instead, it creates space for both authentic identity and personal growth.

A UC Los Angeles engineering student shares her journey to master Spanish and connect with her Puerto Rican heritage through study abroad. Despite the challenges of fitting language immersion into a packed STEM schedule, she discovered practical strategies—from living with non-English speakers to consuming Spanish-only media—that helped her achieve fluency in just five months. Her story offers valuable insights for students seeking to maximize their language learning abroad while balancing academic requirements.

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.

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 feel an even deeper connection to their community, campus, and culture abroad.

A UCLA student shares six compelling reasons why study abroad is an important investment in your future. From taking unique courses in South Korea’s tech scene to building global connections, Ingrid Chang reveals how her experience shaped her career path, personal growth, and worldview. Drawing from her own journey, she offers practical insights on maximizing the study abroad experience while addressing common concerns about living overseas.

If you lived in the same town your whole life, would you be excited or terrified by the idea of leaving it all behind to study abroad in another country? Both is probably the correct answer, and Morgan Taylor-Cohen (UC Los Angeles) says you have to embrace abundance to get you through to the other side.

As a student who has accessed accommodations at their home campus, Jenny Lopez (UC Los Angeles) shares critical tips to maintain your mental health, peace and balance throughout the transformative experience of study abroad. Don’t let worries stop you from this once-in-a-lifetime experience!