Rome introduced herself to me through senses first: the loud chatter of Italian, the uneven cobblestones, and the freshly brewed cafe lattes. My semester abroad at the American University of Rome allowed me to experience a part of the world I had only dreamed of. Being a first-generation Latina student, studying abroad had always seemed
Throughout my study abroad experience in Japan, I learned that study abroad isn’t always the highlight reel we imagine before we leave home. Some days are filled with excitement and energy, while others are exhausting, confusing, or even a little lonely. What made my time in Japan so special was that no matter how I
“There are three of you in this program.” Not quite the sentence I wanted to hear after leaving behind one study abroad program and city for another. Two potential friends sounded a lot less exciting than the almost 20-person program I had just been a part of. I packed up my whole life, moved across
Studying abroad in Florence, Italy was such an amazing experience that I will never forget. Before leaving to study abroad one of the things that I was most nervous about was not knowing anybody in my program. I was lucky enough to meet so many amazing people there, and formed such a close bond with
Amongst this densely packed metropolis, everybody is constantly in a rush. There is not a second throughout the day where there isn’t something going on in the bustling city of Hong Kong. To some, it’s nothing but an international business hub; to others it’s a juxtaposition where East and West intertwine and where tradition meets
Japan is a place that I hope everyone gets to either intensely learn about or experience in their lifetime, with its marvelous blend of ancient traditions and modernism. Over the summer, I had the privilege of taking an anthropology travel course in Japan about how space and physical atmospheres effect how civilians view their nation
When I landed at Haneda Airport, I was immediately faced with several challenges–the immigration lines were Disneyland-level long, and I had only three hours to get to my dorm before I would be locked out for the night. I ended up ditching the train system and overpaying for a taxi, but hey, I made it to
As I prepared to board my 13-hour flight from Los Angeles to Auckland, New Zealand I had no idea about all the excitement, spontaneous adventures, and personal growth that lay ahead. Preparing to travel halfway across the world for two months was both exciting and unnerving. It felt surreal to pack my life into suitcases and
Ciao! Mi chiamo Jenna! It all started in April 2023 when I first toured Chapman. What stood out to me most was the Global Citizens Plaza, a space that represented endless opportunities to study abroad. Seeing all the possibilities sparked my excitement and made me seriously consider the idea of spending a semester abroad. Travel
“I hope you get your K-drama moment!” Well, let’s just say I (unfortunately) didn’t get to slow-motion fall into someone’s arms with a tear-jerking song playing behind me. I know, how disappointing. However, I gained something even better: friendships and experiences I will remember forever. It felt like a dream when I first landed in