CAPA WORLD

In her last post, Mariah reflects on her decision to study abroad and how her experience eventually turned out. She also shares some advice and explains why you should not be scared to think and do things outside the box.

In her last post, Ryan outlines her top 10 takeaways from studying abroad in London and how they formed pivotal moments during her experience.

Thinking back to my study abroad experience in London, it would not have been complete without my internship at emc3, my favorite class, and all the time spent in the city. Here are my top 10 takeaways from this studying abroad in London.

Sydney Alderman is an official CAPA blogger, sharing her story on CAPA World. A Marketing and Global Management major at the University of Pittsburgh, she is studying abroad in Sydney.

In today's post, Sydney reflects on her experiences abroad and how she has grown over her semester abroad in Sydney, as well as how her internship was beneficial for her future.

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My 6 weeks in Sydney were both the fastest and slowest 6 weeks of my life. Whenever someone would mention how much time we had left, we would all be surprised how little that amount was, but also wonder how we had been there for so long when it felt like we had only arrived the day before. Since I’ve been home, I’ve had a little time to reflect on this journey and my experiences. I think I was able to grow not only academically and professionally, but also personally as well.

Like I mentioned in an earlier post, I really had a good time in my Sports Marketing class, and I think this solidified that at some point in my career, I would love to work in the sports industry. I think it also confirmed that marketing has been the right choice for my major. I enjoyed and felt very capable when researching and writing proposals on solutions for marketing problems. My time as an intern at Ordermentum was also very beneficial. Even though I learned what kind of work that I loved doing through that experience, it also made me more well-rounded as a marketing candidate; I can be more confident when applying to various positions in the future.

Video by Natasha Wright, a BFA Acting major from University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and CAPA London alum.

Natasha talks about her research project focusing on Synergy Theatre Project and their work with prisoners and former prisoners in the theater and arts space.

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Thanks, Natasha!

Marianne Zarzar is an official CAPA blogger, sharing her story in weekly posts on CAPA World. A Sociology of Law, Criminology, and Deviance major at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, she is studying abroad in Sydney.

In today's post, Marianne reflects on her study abroad and internship experience in Sydney, what she misses about it, and tips on how to handle coming back home and maintaining relationships.

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I never knew it was possible to miss a place this much. Coming back home was filled with mixed feelings. Even though I am happy to be back, I have missed Australia and all the friendships and connections I made throughout my study abroad experience. I have been back home for a couple of weeks now, and the most random things still remind me of Australia. I have also started noticing some of the slight differences between Australia and the US in terms of how we do certain things a bit differently here. For example, the tiny space between bathroom stalls here in the US are huge compared to the ones in Australia, but I had never noticed until I came back. Also, I got so used to walking on the opposite side of the street, which actually makes a lot of sense to me, that I still do it even after having been back for a while.

Having been an exchange student before, I somewhat knew what to expect when coming back. I knew for example that almost no one will be as interested in hearing about your overseas experience as you are in telling them. This is not to mean that they won’t be excited for you, but this experience will impact you so much that you will be able to talk about it forever.

Nora Callahan is an official CAPA blogger for summer 2018, sharing her story in weekly posts on CAPA World. An International Affairs and Math major at Northeastern University, she is studying abroad in Buenos Aires this semester.

In her last post, Nora reflects on her time abroad, why she was enthusiastic to document her experience, and how she got to know Buenos Aires better by being in the present—thanks to a broken phone.

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The first concrete challenge I encountered happened right as our first week in Buenos Aires was wrapping up. It’s embarrassing to admit, even though I wasn’t alone in this, but my phone broke. It was dropped in the rain and when my host family heard that...they said to put it in rice for a week in case it was the water. I was skeptical and thought that a week was a little excessive, but I really wasn’t in any position to turn down potentially phone-saving advice. So, I spent my second week in this foreign city without my regular trusty iPhone. What’s an American millennial abroad to do?

The streets of Buenos Aires on film.

I actually really enjoyed the experience. I planned ahead with friends and ran into different people for some unplanned meetups on a few occasions. I used a, now very-well-loved, paper map of the city to get around and checked the time on whatever clock was in sight, thinking, “If I’ve left and am on my way, I will get there when I get there.” A cell phone will not change that.

Jude Schroder is an official CAPA vlogger for summer 2018, sharing their story in weekly posts on CAPA World. A Political Science and Global Studies major at Arizona State University, they're studying abroad in Barcelona this semester.

In their last vlog, Jude heads back home to Arizona and reflects on their study abroad experience and goals, as well as the strong relationships they formed in Barcelona.

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Thanks Jude!

See more of Jude's journey in Barcelona.

Rachel is an official CAPA vlogger for summer 2018, sharing her story in weekly posts on CAPA World. A Visual Media major at Auburn University, she is studying abroad in Dublin this semester.

In this week's post, Rachel reflects on the aspects of studying abroad in Dublin that have impacted her and the areas that she has grown in. She also emphasizes learning and appreciating the cultural differences between the US and Dublin.

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Thanks Rachel!

See more of Rachel's journey in Dublin.

Allyson Barnes is an official CAPA blogger for summer 2018, sharing her story in weekly posts on CAPA World. An Anthropology, Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, and Studio Arts major at University of Colorado - Boulder, she is studying abroad in Florence this semester.

In her last post, Allyson reflects on her study abroad experience in Florence through all the changes and growth, as well as how the city has left its mark on her overall outlook and desire to work with people.

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Stepping off that plane after an agonizingly long flight home was bittersweet. My adventure was over. But I was welcomed with open arms, literally, from my entire family. I was able to sleep in my own bed, be with my dogs, and have American food again. Yet I found myself constantly thinking about what I missed in Italy. It had become a part of me, and me a part of it. I was able to find myself in that city, and I found a place. I knew the streets like the back of my hand by the end of my adventure. I knew public transportation like never before. I understood what adaptation by necessity truly meant, and how utterly difficult, yet so worth it, it was. I was still the same Ally in many ways, and yet in others I was new.

A group photo with friends from Florence! 

Being home I have certainly noticed some changes in me, luckily all for the best. I am so much more open about everything and so hungry to learn about anything I can. I want something to constantly surprise me so that I am challenged to learn more and think deeper about everything from varying points of view. I wouldn’t have done any of that or felt this way if I hadn’t decided to study abroad. It changed me, and I couldn’t be more grateful.

Alice Ding is an official CAPA blogger for summer 2018, sharing her story in weekly posts on CAPA World. A Computer Science and Marketing major at Northeastern University, she is studying abroad in London this semester.

In her last post, Alice reflects on her semester abroad in London and 7 important things she's taken away from this experience, including some of the challenges she has overcome.

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My study abroad experience has been everything that I’ve imagined and more. While I can’t exactly say that my life is forever changed and I’m a completely different person, I can say that it was an experience that I’d highly recommend to anyone and everyone and that I’d do it again in a heartbeat. I’ve fallen in love with London and am keen on visiting again, whether it be for more school or just for travel.

This was from my first weekend in London on the bus tour provided by CAPA.
How time flies!

In general, though, to sum my experience up as best I can, here are 7 takeaways from my study abroad semester in London as well as some of the challenges I faced along the way.