By: Liam Umbs, CAS ’25 SA: Sciences Po, Paris, France Liam, one of the Semester Abroad Global Correspondents, shares his experience abroad during the Fall 2024 semester. Follow along with the group of correspondents on our blog and look out for their images on the @pennabroad Instagram feed. When I first arrived in Paris in August, I couldn’t help but feel like I was…
By: Zarah Huo, Nursing ’25 SA: University of Queensland, Australia Zarah, one of the Semester Abroad Global Correspondents, shares her experience abroad during the Fall 2024 semester. Follow along with the group of correspondents on our blog and look out for their images on the @pennabroad Instagram feed. While my friends often debate whether I am an introvert or extrovert, I like to say…
By: Maria Irias Exploring Montevideo Global experiences like my summer in Buenos Aires, Argentina, are essential because they challenge us to step outside of our comfort zones, adapt to unfamiliar environments, and gain a deeper understanding of different cultures. Living and working in a foreign country provides a unique opportunity to develop skills that are…
By: Amanda Qu A flower display at Gardens at the Bay As I reflect on my time in Singapore, I realized how important being surrounded by people who looked like me was to my personal development. I grew up in a white suburban neighborhood where I could count the number of Asian people I knew…
By: Natalia Klosowska During my internship in Singapore, I made a conscious effort to immerse myself in the local culture, which greatly enhanced my overall experience. One of the first things I did was dive into the city’s renowned food scene. Singapore is famous for its hawker centers, where a dizzying array of dishes from…
By: Xiyuan Lin My fellow GRIP intern, Donna, and I visited Starfish Bay, a beach near my apartment. We didn’t see any starfish—only small crabs. “Nei hou…(Hi)?” I gave an awkward smile in front of Milksha, a boba shop near The OPEN Classroom, “WeChat Pay da mu da(Is WeChat Pay ok)?” It was lunch break…
By: Xiyuan Lin “Help me!” “I lost my cane!” “Miss Dora, I’m scared!” A cacophony of screams echoed in the dark. It was my class field trip to the Dialogue in the Dark exhibit, an immersive tour in which we got to experience complete darkness while being led by a blind tour guide. Along with…
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…
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…
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…