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North Carolina State University: How to Navigate your first week
By Phoebe, North Carolina State University Leaving home and starting fresh in a new university for a year can seem like a daunting experience. Trading a familiar city, routine, and support network for somewhere completely new inevitably brings a mix of excitement and uncertainty. But stepping onto campus as North Carolina State University for the first time, I quickly realised that a year abroad isn’t just about adapting to new places- it’s about discovering a new version of yourself along the way. Arriving in Raleigh after studying at UOM felt surreal. Manchester’s usually grey skies and tightly packed streets were replaced with the sun, green campus spaces, and a distinctly…
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The UDLAP Handbook They Don’t Give You
by Scarlett Gilligan, Universidad de las Américas Puebla, Mexico I have the world’s best privilege of spending semester two in Cholula; however, for most of my friends, they have moved on to other places, jobs, continents — you name it. This got me thinking that despite being here for a semester, I am still learning about my university. Don’t get me wrong, I do love this place, but UDLAP can be very confusing — it is wonderfully random. So, here I will provide future generations with little tips and tricks I have learned whilst being a student at UDLAP, which will hopefully give you the prime experience! The Gym First…
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Prague in Winter: The Best Things to See and Do
By Miranda Dreisin (Universität Leipzig, Germany) One of the best things about living in Central Europe is how easy it is to travel – often on a whim, and usually without much hassle. Last month, I planned myself a very last minute weekend trip to Prague, which is only around 3 hours drive from Leipzig, Germany where I am currently studying. I took a cheap FlixBus before sunrise, and woke up having already arrived in the Czech Republic. I’d only visited Prague once before, and that was in summer, so I was curious to see how to make the most of a winter visit in just two days. I unfortunately…
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From Manchester to Madison: My First Week as a Badger
By Orla Feeley, (University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA) First week as a Badger officially completed, and somehow it already feels like I’ve been here for much longer (in the best way possible). After arriving in Chicago and getting a 3-hour coach to Madison, I arrived at my dorm and immediately ordered Chick-fil-A, as one does when in America. I spent the first day acting as a tourist in the city: walking past Camp Randall Stadium, exploring the Memorial Union, walking up State Street, seeing the Capitol, and, of course, making my way to Lake Mendota.
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fietsen (cycling)
a guide by Chiamaka🎀 (Universiteit van Amsterdam in the Netherlands) When you hear ‘Amsterdam’ what first comes to mind? I think of cycling (fietsen in Dutch). Everybody cycles here – it’s the most convenient and cost effective option to move around the city. Wheelchair users even have modified options ! So this blog is going to breakdown everything you need to know about bikes and cycling in the city (and the whole country, I guess). 1 why cycle?Depending on where you live in comparison to your uni (UvA is in the centre, VU is in Zuid (south)) you probably can’t walk. I personally live a 1h+ walk from UvA –…
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Studying Abroad in Budapest: Lessons from the First Semester
Nadine Brachi, ELTE University Moving to Budapest for a semester abroad felt exciting, daunting, and uncertain all at once. Leaving behind familiar routines and studying in a new country forced me to adapt quickly, both academically and personally. From navigating a different education system to learning how to feel at home in an unfamiliar city, the first few months have been a period of adjustment, reflection, and growth. Now, at the end of my first semester, I’ve begun to see how much this experience has already shaped me. Studying abroad in Budapest has been less about grand, cinematic moments and more about the small lessons learned through everyday challenges. This…
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A Great Start to My Year Abroad in Leipzig, Germany
By Miranda Dreisin (Universität Leipzig, Germany) Like many language students, I had eagerly anticipated my year abroad since the start of my degree, and it was a key reason as to why I decided to study a language at University. However, with the end of second year, and the progression of summer, I quickly became daunted by the prospect of moving to a city where I had never been before, where I didn’t know anyone, and where I was to be studying a degree in a different language. The main thing that significantly reduced my stress was the bureaucratic preparation I did in advance and it allowed me a much…
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Vegetarian Food in Singapore and Southeast Asia
By Micha Raja, Singapore Management University (SMU), Singapore Coming to Singapore, I was initially nervous about the options for vegetarians and whether I would have enough variety of food to choose from. After having lived here for 3 months now, I can confirm, the variety of vegetarian options is incredible! Not only are there pure vegetarian restaurants but even some of the Hawker Centres have pure vegetarian food stalls. There has not been a single day I have struggled with food. One of my favourite go-to foods in the Hawker centres here is a Masala Dosa. There are lots of other Indian food options as well but also Southeast Asian cuisine can be made…
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Exam Season on Exchange
By Deborah, The University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada My first semester on exchange went by SO quickly, honestly it felt like exam season came and poured a bucked of ice water over my head. While exams are stressful no matter where you’re taking them, the experience here felt surprisingly structured and supportive, especially within the law faculty. One thing that really stood out during this period was how much effort the university put into student wellbeing. There were loads of organised events running alongside revision season, including doggy yoga sessions, studyathons, and other low-pressure activities to help students decompress. These were genuinely helpful in breaking up long days of studying…
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What can Santiago’s MUT teach us about urban design?
By Tengri Genc, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Chile With just a month to go before completing my semester abroad in Santiago, Chile, I thought I’d take the time to see those parts of the city further afield than my accommodation and its surrounding area. One area I’d briefly visited before was Tobalaba, famous for being the home of Gran Torre Costanera, the tallest building in South America. However, whilst this behemoth stands as the focal point of Santiago, just a short walk away lies another much more revolutionary development which I believe is worthy of some praise.
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A Love Letter To Budapest.
Nadine Brachi | ELTE University, Budapest In this blog post, my main aim is to convey why leaving the comfort of what I knew – Manchester, home, my friends, my dogs – for a new life in Budapest was one of the best decisions I could have made for myself and my future. Joining the year abroad programme was always in my mind. Having spoken to fellow students who were preparing to leave or had recently returned, I was captivated by their excitement and how it inspired them. I was also fortunate enough to have several friends also considering a similar pathway as me. In fact, picking Budapest as my…
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Taking Student Journalism Worldwide: My Experience at The Mancunion vs Woroni
By Lily Amos, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia When I moved from Manchester to Canberra, I knew I was signing up for a new continent, a new university, and a new climate. What I didn’t quite expect was how different student journalism would feel on the other side of the world. This year, I’ve had the very fun, very chaotic experience of taking my student journalism “career” international — from The Mancunion at the University of Manchester to Woroni at the Australian National University. It’s been eye-opening in the best way, and it’s really changed how I think about what student media can be. I’ve spent two years at The Mancunion while studying in Manchester. In…
A study abroad journal by students, for students.
