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2 Hobbies I Discovered In Sydney
By Yaryna, University of Sydney – Sydney, Australia 1) Surfing 🙂 I attended my first Surf Camp last semester. What struck me most about surfing is the adrenaline you feel. As we put on our sticky wetsuits, lugged our incredibly heavy boards, and sat in a circle to discuss safety, I felt discomfort and mild annoyance – not at anyone, just at the sheer level of exertion at 7am. But as we entered the water, and the waves towered above me, I suddenly became completely absorbed. I was determined not to be dragged away by a rip current or pushed back onto shore. I was also desperate to catch my…
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Maintaining Health and Fitness While Abroad
Phoebe Faupel, North Carolina State University, United States Moving abroad to study at North Carolina State University has been an exciting experience, but one thing i realised was how important it is to look after both your physical and mental health while adjusting to a completely new environment. With busy schedules, social events, travelling and academic pressures, it can be easy to fall out of healthy routines. However, staying active and maintaining balance has genuinely helped me enjoy my year abroad far more. Here are some of the ways I have stayed fit and healthy while studying at NC State. Make Use of Campus Facilities: I immediately noticed at NCSU…
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Creating a home in Sydney
By Kirsty, University of New South Wales – Sydney, Australia Moving to Australia felt like a huge step, moving so far from friends and family, and basically starting my social life from scratch again. However, the anxiety was unnecessary. Once arriving, I moved into a shared room, it seemed very strange to share a room with a stranger, but it was one of the best decisions I made. I immediately felt at home, and got to become close friends with my roommate, and we started hanging out daily, and she helped me get settled in Sydney instantly. Through meeting my housemates, I immediately clicked with them and had a friend…
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Saariselkä, Lapland trip – spotting the northern lights three times!
By Ria Mair, University of Helsinki, Finland A must-do trip while studying at the University of Helsinki is to visit the beautiful northernmost region of Finland, Lapland. Experiencing the expansive snowy landscapes, Arctic wildlife, and cosiness of my cabin made the trip once in a lifetime, filled with joyful memories. 17 hours travelling… The journey there is one I’ll never forget. 17 long hours, tucked up in my thermals amongst a busy coach full of excited exchange students, waiting for the hours to pass and reach Lapland. Along the way, we made several stops at service stations, which all had that functional Nordic feel. Every station came with a massive…
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Reflecting on my Year Abroad
By Lucy Kyle, Rutgers State University of New Jersey, USA Sitting in my dorm room on a breezy Sunday night in New Jersey, I cannot help but think about my year as it is coming to a close. It is May now, and my final week of classes and exams are starting tomorrow, I can’t believe how fast this semester, and entire year has gone by. For as long as I have been thinking of going to university I have been excited for my year studying abroad. Back in 2022 when I was first writing my UCAS applications I didn’t know what I wanted to do, let alone where I…
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Learning A Third Language in My Second on My Year Abroad: First Impressions
By Miranda Dreisin, (Universität Leipzig, Germany) I grew up only speaking English in an area where a lot of other people spoke another language fluently at home, and I distinctly remember from childhood wishing I were able to do the same. I was put in a German class in Year 7, and really enjoyed it, and by the time I was 16, being able to be proficient in another language was very important to me. I thus chose A-Level German, and at 18, decided to carry that passion through to degree level. Three years later, I am now studying in Germany, where having learnt another language from scratch is hardly…
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A day in my life as a Osaka University student
By Gloria Zheng, Osaka University, Japan I normally start my day by 9:15 on weekdays with an easy breakfast of a pasta pot with rice alongside a cup of green tea. Breakfast (~179 yen) Most of my classes start at 10:30, with this semester being much lighter than my previous one as I’m taking 12 credits now compared to 18 I took last semester (I would really not recommend taking this many and to split them 15/15 so you fufill the 30 credit requirement to pass the year). Study spot on campus I usually leave my dorm at 10:21 because even though the dorm is located next door to Minoh…
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Reasons to choose Osaka University
By Gloria Zheng, Osaka University, Japan As a Japanese Studies student, choosing the university I would spend a whole year at was intially overwhelming. Manchester Uni had 26 partner universities at the time when I applied, ranging from universities in Hokkaido to Kyushu. Prestige Osaka University is considered one of the most prestigious universities in Japan. It is one of the former Imperial Universities of Japan, which include the University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, Tohoku University, Kyushu University, Hokkaido University, Osaka University, and Nagoya University. Additionally, Professor Shimon Sakaguchi from the Immunology Frontier Research Center (IFReC) at Osaka University was awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine of…
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Guide to Osaka University Minoh Campus
By Gloria Zheng, Osaka University, Japan Choosing Osaka University as my study abroad choice was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Osaka University comprises of the Toyonaka, Suita, and Minoh campuses of which foreign languages students study at the Minoh Campus. In 2021, the campus was completed comprising of 10 floors adding up to a total 24,896 square metres. The facilities are very new and shiny so you can look forward to that if you decide to come to Osaka Uni. Places to eat Around campus there is a wide range of restaurants you can choose from when you get tired of cooking. My favourites are the curry…
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A Parting Gift
Scarlett Gilligan, UDLAP, Mexico When we think about sustainability, we often think green, recycling, taking public transport, but often it can be so much more than that. Being on this year abroad, I feel like I have been given so much and after speaking to some of my friends, we decided we needed to give something back to the community that welcomed us so kindly. After spending a year in Cholula, with street markets calling my name, I don’t dare to think of the amount of clothes I have accumulated. I couldn’t be more thrilled to see my wardrobe beaming with colour, but my suitcase to go home isn’t so…
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Hiking Mt. Ashigara: from Tokyo
By YiPin Wu, (University of Tokyo, Japan) If you’re looking for a day trip from Tokyo that actually gets you into nature, Mt. Ashigara is one to put on the list. It’s about two hours from central Tokyo, the hike is doable, and on a clear day you get one of the best views of Mt. Fuji you can find. Getting There Take the Odakyu Line to Odawara Station, then head to the east exit to catch a bus to the Kintoki-tozanguchi stop, which is about 50 minutes on the bus. One thing to note: buses aren’t that frequent, so check the timetable before you go. The Trail Mt. Kintoki sits at…
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A Foodie Guide to New Brunswick
If you're at Rutgers University, check out these great food spots. Honeygrow offers customizable noodle bowls, Hidden Grounds Coffee serves excellent cold brew, and O Bagel is perfect for breakfast. For comfort food, visit Stuff Yer Face, while Playa Bowls provides refreshing açai options. Don’t miss Thomas Sweet for ice cream and 7-Eleven for snacks.
A study abroad journal by students, for students.
