Not Yet in Santiago, but Learning how to Define My Happiness Outside of Amherst

Hi everyone! I hope you are all staying warm amidst the cold upon us, that is if you’re currently in the northeast like I am. Unlike most of my peers studying abroad, I am still at home because my program in Chile starts a bit later. I leave for Santiago on February 22nd, have orientation from the 24th-26th, and then

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Beyond the Familiar: First Impressions of Singapore

Five years ago, I was fifteen and traveled to Singapore for the first time. Although few memories remain from that short trip, I distinctly remember being captivated by the lush greenery enveloping the bustling cityscape, and awed by the sustainability of the densely-populated city lacking in natural resources. I’ve been in Singapore for almost a month now, retracing and rediscovering

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First Impressions of Seville

People eat at small tables in front of a pink and yellow building

Last semester, when I told people that I would be spending the spring in Sevilla, everyone, from make-up artists at Sephora to old family friends, responded exclusively in superlatives. Before I set foot in Spain, I was prepared to find myself in a city with the best festivals, flamenco, architecture, and Spanish tortilla. A city full of uniquely open and

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Konbini- A Glimpse into Food Culture through Convenience Stores

Cy smiling while holding up a hot dog

こびに (Konbini): the convenience store. The holy trinity of Japan: 7-11, Lawson’s, and Family Mart. They’re inescapable, rounding every street corner (sometimes two right across the street from one another) of every city in Japan. Introduced in 1969, they have quickly become a staple of the Japanese diet, serving students, businessmen, and families — all different walks of Japanese life.

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First Impressions

large old building with green grass on university of Sydney campus

It’s 75 degrees and sunny here in Sydney. March 1st was the first day of Autumn and I spent the afternoon at Bondi Beach avoiding surfers who strayed into the designated swimming section. I arrived two and a half weeks ago. What follows requires a bit of terminology: Uni: University, i.e. where one studies. Here, the University of Sydney, which

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The First Nights

Neon building in Shanghai

It’s weird how often things repeat themselves. A month ago, I experienced the bustle of Shanghai Pudong Airport for the second time. Three years have passed since my first encounter with the place, and the advertisements, people, and weather might be different, but there are always constants. Let’s take scale, for example. If I were to say that Shanghai is

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