I read Elizabeth Bishop’s poem “One Art” in my freshman gen-ed literature class at the University of Iowa. The refrain in this poem has since resurfaced in my life, culminating in my plans to study in China for the 2017-2018 academic year.

In this amateur blog post lies some of the most profound travel advice you may ever receive. Here lies advice on par with that of Anthony Bourdain and the great Rick Steves. Hold on to your hats, folks. Prepare to have your mind blown and your life changed forever…

I chose to study abroad because I knew if I didn’t go for it I would always regret it. I wanted to be completely immersed in a Spanish speaking country and I wanted to live with a host family. I chose to study abroad to meet some of our neighbors in Chile, and hopefully to learn something about myself. Also the empanadas. 

On July 20th, 2017, the KUIS Spring Bekka Program students gathered in Lapaz one last time, for the Sayonara Party. My level (five), chose to dance, while other classes sang, hosted game show quizzes, and created videos. The night was filled with delicious food, laughter, memories, and of course, tears.

We're excited to announce our Study Abroad Bloggers for the fall 2017 semester! These unique individuals were selected from a competitive pool of writers to tell the story of their destination and represent the voice of University of Iowa students while abroad. Throughout the semester, these students will share their experiences through writing and photography to be published weekly here on International Accents. 

A few things I’ve learned about Japan and spring: Japan has a lot of flowers They bloom beautifully If you don’t have hay fever when you get to Japan, you might have it when you leave.

I’m sure many of you have heard the saying “April showers bring May flowers,” but in Japan, the rainy season is a bit longer. The name for the rainy, damp season is tsuyu. Fancy.

Hello Iowa! As you guys are finishing up your spring semester, ours is only just beginning! I’ve had some time to adjust to my class schedule and homework load since March, and it’s definitely been an enjoyable journey. Class registration happened earlier this month, so everyone’s schedules have been finalized.

Hello from Makuhari-hongo International Dormitory in Chiba, Japan! Spring has arrived, marking the start of a new semester at Kanda University of International Studies. When the cherry blossoms opened to welcome the sunshine, they also welcomed planes from all over the world at Narita Airport in Tokyo, dropping off students for the Bekka Program here at KUIS!

Bray is a quaint, compact town south of Dublin. It has a nice combination of friendly community, a freshness in the air that can only mean you’re a step away from the sea, and a darling view of Bray Head. But it’s also the home of a very special gallery called Signal Arts, where I’m interning this summer.

My experience studying abroad in Hong Kong, narrated (mostly) by my camera

London is amazing place for anyone to experience theatre in a variety of ways that make it accessible for people from all different backgrounds and walks of life. Whether you enjoy classical plays, entertaining musicals, or cutting edge shows, there is something to see. Going on the London Performance Study was a unique experience that allowed me to be immersed in a new culture of theatre and begin to understand how drama can affect personal life.