Lauren Wood talks about how her trip to the Dominican Republic helped her embrace more of her Mexican background.

Amani Ali talks about what she learned about herself from her study abroad experience in Kerala, India.

First-gen Latina student Yajaira Bolanos participated in India Winterim and shares what she learned.

Hiba Ibrahim shares her experiences studying abroad on a health studies program in South Africa.

Nursing major Eunice Assem shares her experiences observing the work of the Pallium India clinic in Kerala, India.

Abby Brickley shares her thoughts on identity abroad.

Omar Khodor, a senior studying environmental science with a minor in Arabic and biology studied abroad in Melbourne, Australia in spring 2019.

My name is Isabella Senno and I am a senior working towards degrees in anthropology (gender and culture track), and psychology, along with a Spanish minor. Over the spring of 2019, I was able to study abroad in San Sebastián, Spain. I am not exaggerating in the slightest when I say that this was one of the best decisions I have made during my time here at the University of Iowa.

T'Shailyn Harrington reflects on her IES internship as a marketing and public relations coordinator at the Cape Town Science Center.

I identify as an Asian American, specifically of East Indian descent, and I have felt that too much of my focus was on the academic side of college. Most of the Indians I know participated in few to no activities outside of the classroom because we have been raised in a culture that stresses the importance of academics far more than our non-academic interests. Many of my family members and friends of Indian descent love to tell me about their time in college but when I ask them what clubs or events they participated in I too often get blank stares.

My name is Brooke Jennings, and I am fourth year biology student on the pre-medicine track. This winter I had the amazing opportunity to study abroad in Kerala, India. When I first decided to study abroad, I knew that the cost would be my primary obstacle. I grew up in a low-income household, and I am currently putting myself through school. This meant that I had to decide if studying abroad was worth it, that it would make a difference in my educational experience. This was the best decision I have ever made. The trip to India was nothing short of life changing. Working with the wonderful staff of Pallium India was the best experience of my undergraduate career.

Hi! My name is Russell. I’m a Biomedical Engineering major from West Branch,  Iowa. I studied abroad the summer after my freshman year in Hong Kong, at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). My time abroad was undoubtedly the most memorable two months of my life, and I’d like to share   some of my experiences with you here.   Before I went abroad, I remember feeling varying combinations of  apprehensiveness and enthusiasm. On one hand,  I was nervous - this was my first time ever traveling outside of the US,  and I knew zero Cantonese. But I also felt a feeling of excitement growing inside of me. Excitement to experience what life is like in a   country so different than the U.S., and excitement for all the adventures that I imagined having.