Hey everyone, my name is Naia and I am a senior at CofC. I am double majoring in International Business as well as French and Francophone studies. This summer I am studying abroad in Lille, France through the Université Catholique de Lille’s European Summer Program! I chose this program because studying in France has been a dream of mine for years and I wanted the … Continue reading Living like a local by Naia Roper
Three weeks ago, I stepped off the bus in Innsbruck unsure of what to expect. Since then, this Alpine city has quietly worked its way into my rhythm. As everyday passes and I become more familiar with the city, culture, and language, I’ve found myself learning not just about Austria, but how to truly live in it. One of the first things that struck me … Continue reading Finding My Footing in the Heart of the Alps by Benjamin Goldbach
One of the first photos I took abroad was from a lookout over Nice. At the time, I had no idea how different I would feel by the end of the semester or what that photo would come to represent. It’s wild to think that I took it with no idea of the people I’d meet, the knowledge I’d gain, or how much I’d grow. … Continue reading What I Didn’t Expect to Learn While Studying Abroad by Mathieu Vincke
At the end of the semester, I took two friends, both also from the College of Charleston and studying abroad in France, on a trip that meant a lot to me personally: a visit to see my entire extended family in Belgium. It wasn’t the kind of trip with packed itineraries or bucket list landmarks. I was actually nervous they’d find it boring compared to … Continue reading Going Home: Visiting Family in Belgium and Finding My French by Mathieu Vincke
This semester has been such a joy. Living in a homestay made me feel like I was home all of the time. I chose to stay with a host family because I wanted to become more fluent in the Spanish language. No way to learn it if you do not speak it often, as every Spanish teacher I have ever had said. When I first … Continue reading Living like a local: The joys and challenges of living with a host family by Kennedy Saumier
For my first time leaving the country, I couldn’t have chosen a better destination than Canada. Banff exceeded every expectation with its stunning landscapes, thrilling winter activities, and the incredible people I met along the way. Each day felt like stepping into a winter wonderland. I skied down snowy slopes, glided across a frozen lake on ice skates, raced through the mountains on a … Continue reading Reflection of My Time Spent in Banff, Canada by Cameron Long
When I first arrived in Groningen, I was immediately struck by how community-forward the city feels. I used to think Charleston was lively and full of activity, but Groningen redefined what that really means. For starters, the open-air market that pops up three times a week is a hub of energy. It’s not just a place to buy fresh food, it’s an experience. Locals stroll … Continue reading Culture Shock in Groningen: Learning to Slow Down and Enjoy by Juliana Conover
A random Tuesday in Groningen looks a lot different than one back home, and I must say, I think I prefer it this way. I usually wake up around 9 a.m. and head to the shared kitchen in my SSH student housing. The housing holds over 300 other international students and our kitchen is shared with 21 others (so it can get a bit dirty). … Continue reading A Random Tuesday in Groningen by Juliana Conover
The housing I chose to stay in while abroad is called SSH, a student housing organization in the Netherlands that offers housing for international students, most of whom are on exchange. The entire housing complex holds over 300 students. When I first arrived, it felt a bit scary. There are no communal spaces besides the kitchens, just rooms down a long corridor. Not exactly the … Continue reading Keuken 12 by Juliana Conover
During my time studying abroad in Nice, France, I quickly realized how different my daily life would be compared to what I was used to back home. From academic schedules to grocery shopping, nearly every part of my routine had to be adjusted. At first, it felt overwhelming but within a few weeks, I found my rhythm and began to appreciate the big and small … Continue reading Adjusting to Daily Life in France by Maguire Emerson
