Ciao, mi chiamo Kayla! From the moment I stepped onto the historic cobblestone streets of Rome, I was transported into a world where every corner whispered stories of emperors and artists. My semester abroad at Temple University, nestled in the heart of this ancient city, was an experience that transcended my expectations. As a second-year
A class including the Harry Potter studio tour, Harry Potter walking tour, King’s Cross, Oxford, wizard afternoon tea… total codswallop, right? But yes, seriously. I got to go to London for a class about Harry Potter AND get credit for it… AND get to be the Hufflepuff prefect… AND meet lifelong friends through it. What
As I was leaving London, I remember crying at the boarding gate at Heathrow Airport back to SFO, not ready to let go of this chapter. These were the most fun two weeks of my life trying different foods, exploring different sites and, most importantly, seeing live theatre. With each show I watched, I was
Introduction: My semester in Madrid was incredibly impactful, and my experiences will stay with me for the rest of my life. I want to share my story as a person with multiple severe food allergies to provide comfort to anyone who may be worried about how to eat and survive while studying in Spain. Food
One of my favorite segments from watching Disney Channel as a kid was “T.T.I- That Time I…” where kids and teens would talk about their once-in-a-lifetime experiences like climbing Mount Everest or cartwheeling across the country. Their stories fascinated me and inspired my curiosity to travel the world, but I never had such an opportunity
After a hectic twenty-four (yes, twenty-four!) hours of travel, I finally arrived in Glasgow, Scotland! It took a little while, with delayed flights, a quick orientation, and a whole lot of sleep deprivation, but I had finally made it. The chill January air and rain greeted me as I walked up to my new home
5 a.m. wake-up calls. Two practices a day. An 18-credit course load. These are just a few elements that begin to illustrate what collegiate athletes pack into a 24-hour day. From the moment my first alarm rings at dawn, every hour of my day as a student-athlete is strategically planned out. Each minute is accounted
I was very hesitant about studying abroad, I have always been a homebody and loved being around my friends and family. We traveled when I was younger, but only to surrounding states. So when my friend asked if I was going to study abroad I was puzzled by the question. I wasn’t sure I was
During my semester abroad, I collected an assortment of souvenirs: keychains, postcards, jewelry, bags – you name it. However, my favorite souvenirs, without question, are the friendships I made while studying abroad. I wouldn’t trade the memories I collected with my two roommates, who felt like my non-biological sisters, for the world. Our friendship feels
Kia ora koutou! Welcome to my blog post. I’m excited to tell you a bit about my experience abroad and give a few tips when considering traveling to Aotearoa, NZ. My semester abroad began with a family vacation, a day in Auckland, and then a road trip south to Rotorua for a few days until