Cultural Immersion Archives - 91ÖÆÆ¬³§ /categories-stories/cultural-immersion/ Institute for Study Abroad Wed, 09 Sep 2026 15:04:35 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.3 /wp-content/uploads/2023/10/cropped-cropped-ifsa-favicon-192x192-1-32x32.webp Cultural Immersion Archives - 91ÖÆÆ¬³§ /categories-stories/cultural-immersion/ 32 32 Connecting to Argentine Culture at Buenos Aires’ Top Markets /student-stories/connecting-to-argentine-culture-at-buenos-aires-markets/ Wed, 09 Sep 2026 15:04:34 +0000 /?post_type=student-stories&p=16069 One of the most meaningful ways I experienced Argentine culture was through visiting local markets. Each offered something unique and showed me a different side of daily life in Buenos Aires. Over time, these visits became some of my favorite routines, helping me feel more connected to the neighborhoods around me and giving me insight [...]

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The Value of Letting Experiences Unfold During Study Abroad /student-stories/the-value-of-letting-experiences-unfold-during-study-abroad/ Wed, 26 Aug 2026 21:10:54 +0000 /?post_type=student-stories&p=15937 I am often a victim of the idea that a moment unoccupied is a moment wasted when you're studying in a foreign country. For a lot of reasons, that narrative makes sense. For many, including me, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to spend months immersing yourself in a space and culture that [...]

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Every Moment Is an Opportunity to Grow: Lessons from Study Abroad in Buenos Aires /student-stories/lessons-from-study-abroad-in-buenos-aires/ Mon, 03 Aug 2026 02:38:45 +0000 /?post_type=student-stories&p=15624 When I arrived in Buenos Aires, I knew I was stepping into a new chapter of my life. I felt a lot at once: excited, nervous, and unsure of what to expect. Before arriving, I studied Spanish every day, but living in a new country showed me that learning a language and understanding a culture [...]

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Sevilla Intercambios: The Key to Improving My Spanish Skills and My Confidence Abroad /student-stories/sevilla-intercambios-key-to-improving-my-spanish/ Mon, 01 Jun 2026 20:15:33 +0000 /?post_type=student-stories&p=15128 My main goal for study abroad was to improve my Spanish as much as possible. I want to go into translation and interpretation, so it was important to me to talk with people outside of the classroom. Enter los intercambios. Intercambios—which translates literally to exchanges—are events, usually hosted weekly by a bar, where people can get together and practice speaking different languages. They are great opportunities [...]

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How Edinburgh Art Influenced My Study Abroad Experience /student-stories/how-edinburgh-art-influenced-my-study-abroad-experience/ Tue, 19 May 2026 21:50:23 +0000 /?post_type=student-stories&p=15090 As a history and art history double major, one of the highlights of my time in Edinburgh was immersing myself in the city’s deeply rooted arts scene. Engaging with a new cultural landscape sharpened my perspective and deepened my commitment to pursuing a career in museum work and public history.   Rethinking my U.S.-based assumptions  Unsurprisingly, my favorite course this semester [...]

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Make Local Exploring a Priority When You Study Abroad /student-stories/explore-locally-when-you-study-abroad/ Tue, 05 May 2026 19:52:32 +0000 /?post_type=student-stories&p=14994 As I prepared to study in Scotland, many people asked me where I planned to travel while I was in Europe. I was more excited to explore my host city, Edinburgh. I had never been to Scotland, and I was focused on seeing the sights within the city. After three months of living here, I have learned so much more about this city and its people.   Tips for gaining cultural awareness [...]

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Want to Make the Most of Study Abroad and Find Home Away from Home? Just Say Yes. /student-stories/make-the-most-of-study-abroad/ Tue, 05 May 2026 19:34:24 +0000 /?post_type=student-stories&p=14995 “Let’s try a salsa class downtown tonight!â€� â€œWant to join us for a road trip to hike Tongariro Crossing?â€�  â€œIt’s a game night. Want to join?â€�   When you settle into your new home-away-from-home, it can be tempting to want to stick to your routine. This provides comfort and safety—and that can be helpful. It’s easy to head back from class and sink into the couch to finish up homework. Yet throughout my [...]

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Exploring the New Zealand Outdoors Through a MÄ�ori Lens /student-stories/exploring-new-zealand-outdoors-through-a-maori-lens/ Thu, 16 Apr 2026 15:38:38 +0000 /?post_type=student-stories&p=14944 In New Zealand, indigenous MÄ�ori culture is well-integrated into everyday life. That’s part of what drew me to study abroad here. I wanted to experience a non-Western way of learning, explore a diverse array of landscapes, and live in a country where indigenous knowledge and culture are included and respected.  Learning about my new home through language  Here, Te reo MÄ�ori, MÄ�ori language, is part of everyday conversation and accompanies English words [...]

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Don’t Spend Your Study Abroad Semester in an Airport /student-stories/dont-spend-your-study-abroad-semester-in-an-airport/ Tue, 17 Mar 2026 20:41:18 +0000 /?post_type=student-stories&p=14828 It is easy to get caught up in the travel flex when you get to London. I’ve done my fair share of travel already, having been to Dublin and Morocco, and writing from Wales, where I am visiting with my 91ÖÆÆ¬³§ group. I have more trips lined up for the next few months, but I’ve realized if you aren't careful, you could end up treating London like a glorified base camp instead of the place you live.  The [...]

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Discovering Peru’s Diversity: My Semester Abroad Across Mountains, Deserts, and Rainforests /student-stories/discovering-peru-diversity/ Mon, 22 Dec 2025 18:45:12 +0000 /?post_type=student-stories&p=14082 When I arrived in Lima, Peru, I was excited for a semester in a big city, improving my Spanish, eating delicious food, and dancing salsa. However, I did not know much about the country I had chosen to live in for the next few months, other than that it is famous for ceviche (a seafood dish) and Machu Picchu. Five months later, my study abroad experience [...]

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