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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…