Blog Archives

  • Blog

The Portuguese People, Places, and Plates

By: Ricardo Yamin Dinner with dorm receptionist and fellow GRIP student Alex Chinea Reflecting on my experience as an intern at the Kopke Port house in Porto, Portugal, I’m struck by how integral my colleagues have been in shaping this unforgettable experience. From the moment I arrived, they welcomed me into a professional, friendly, and…

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Adventures in Northern Portugal

By: William Pallan Bom Jesus de Monte During my time in Portugal, visiting the town of Braga was a highlight of my cultural exploration. The town’s rich history, stunning architecture, and the Bom Jesus do Monte sanctuary provided a deep connection to Portugal’s cultural heritage. This trip expanded my understanding of the country beyond just…

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An Open Mind at the Open Classroom

By: Donna Jalosjos I have been a student for as long as I can remember. Before doing this internship, I had some past experience working with high school students in tutoring, but I had never worked as a teacher with students from the ages of 3-10. When I first started at my internship, I was…

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Frequently Asked Questions

By: Riya Nandakumar One of my favorite views in Vietnam of the boats in Hoi An! It’s obvious to anyone that I don’t exactly look like a “local.” Over the past weeks, I’ve grown accustomed to walking down the street and getting a few stares or curious glances. Occasionally, cute kids or surprised adults will…

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What I’m Grateful for So Far

By: Ruth Oyerokun Waiheke Island   Now that I have spent two weeks in New Zealand, I feel more confident in this new environment and grateful for memories that have made my time here meaningful. I want to share with you the people and places that I appreciate most. First, my host mom, Deborah, has…

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The Birds of Aotearoa

By: Helena Saven Picture of Helena with the tūī mural described in Queenstown Having now spent two months living in Aotearoa New Zealand, I have fallen in love with so much of the local fauna, especially the native bird populations. I’m someone who has always felt a connection to wildlife and an appreciation for seeing…

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Finding Philly in Thailand

By: Jackson Eli Ford Temple outside of Bangkok Having moved across the country from the only city I knew and knowing no one, I was able to find a home in Philadelphia. After a school year that was more than high school me could have ever imagined, it was time to once again pack my…

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Starry Gambian Nights

By: Kidist Belew I was overcome with many feelings when my 22-hour journey from Atlanta to The Gambia had come to an end. Excitement for the experiences I would soon realize would alter the course of my life for the better. Anxiety about being in a region of the world I had never seen myself…

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Yellow House

By: Kedi Belew During my time in Bwiam, I had the opportunity to participate in Bwiam General Hospital’s annual Walk for Health and Sports Tournament. This event involves a lively 5k walk around the community with music and dancing. The afternoon and evening conclude with a series of competitive games and various races. The goal…

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Cancer Patients with ID

By: Kennedy Smihula This internship was able to exceed any expectations that I had and I have learned more than I could have ever imagined. The first week was a little daunting on what the work for the duration of our time here would entail. However, I quickly realized that my education at Penn had…