GW Office for Study Abroad and Student Exchange

.c : “I, along with the rest of the Global Bachelor’s Asia cohort, had the opportunity to visit Malacca, Malaysia, on a sponsored group trip! It was really nice to catch up with the other members of the cohort and hear how everyone’s classes and travels had been going so far. I would definitely say that one of the perks of being a part of the Global Bachelor’s Program is having a supportive community of like-minded individuals to travel with and enjoy the study abroad experience. A fun fact: Malacca was the first colonial city established in Southeast Asia, featuring a gorgeous blend of Western and South Asian architecture, culture, and food.”

.eh12 : “This past Saturday CIEE took us to the Son of the Soil festival just outside of Gaborone. The point of the festival is to encourage the re-awakening of culture through dance, music, and the wearing of traditional clothing. We have Tripe, a common breakfast food made of cow intestines. Overall, an amazing experience and a whole lot of fun!”

@1.zaraia.23 : “This week, my program took a trip to Goa, and it was such a whirlwind of learning, conversation, and really good food. We explored mental health systems in Southern India, child protection, and q***r identity in a place where culture is constantly shifting. At Sangath, a mental health NGO, we learned about peer-to-peer research and how q***r art movements are helping people navigate mental health care. At SCAN (Stop Child Abuse Now), we had a very meaningful and important lessons about child abuse in Southern India.

Later, we met up at Anora, a q***r-owned lunch spot, with folks who had moved to Goa and found q***r community in the area. It was such a cool space, and through all of these conversations, I got a better sense of Goa’s identity as an urban village! We talked about how tourism and how the influx of expats have shaped q***r experiences, bringing more visibility but also has real challenges, especially for locals who don’t always have the same privilege of being “out.”

Honestly, this trip gave me so much to think about. And on top of that, the South Indian dishes and seafood are next level!”

: “GW Madrid plans several program trips each semester. Our most recent was to Granada and Córdoba. Both cities are in the southern Spain Andalusia region, known for its medieval architecture dating to the Moorish occupation. We visited beautiful royal palaces, serene patios, and reflecting pools from the Nasrid dynasty. Photos and places visited: Medina Azahara - Conjunto Arqueológico Madinat al-Zahra, Palacio de Viana, and Alhambra.”

Experiencing fall in a different country is a unique experience. Picture yourself drinking hot cocoa ☕️, playing in the fallen leaves in Copenhagen, Denmark. Or imagine riding your bike down the streets of Reykjavík, Iceland.🚲 Consider going abroad next fall! Above are five opportunities for GWSB students, and for even more opportunities, check out passport.gwu.edu! ✈️🌍

: “As I prepare for my semester in Jordan, I have been spending lots of time with family and friends that I won’t be seeing until I get back. For example, my twin sister and I went out to dinner, as pictured above. I have also been packing my cases as it is my last week before I go.”

Another semester is coming to a close, can you believe it!?

Check out some highlights of what Angela got up to this semester on the SIT - Culture, Social Change, and Development in Vietnam program!

📸 1)Completing an 8-hour hike in Sapa, Vietnam with my classmates
📸 2)Planting mangrove trees in the Mekong Delta after they were devastated in the Vietnam American war
📸 3)Me and my class attending the wedding of my host family
📸 4)Visiting the local temple of our host mother

vietnam.culture

: “Wrapping up the rest of the time in Belfast. The ever-beautiful River Lagan on a cold evening Belfast walk. Friendsgiving was a highlight, with good food, company, and friends. Belfast’s murals and city art have been striking—always something new to notice.”

.monrreal : “After hearing many stories about the snow in Switzerland, I finally got to experience it firsthand. Throughout the week it would snow in my town and the towns around me. As someone who is from the South and hasn’t experienced proper snow this was a very new yet exciting sit to see.

The snow didn’t stop or hault anything, so of course I continued my work as normal. I went to a few cafes to do work and study. I also attended the International Humanitarian and Security Conference that took place in Geneva, where multiple professionals got a chance to speak about this topic which was exciting to be part of.”

.hilmi : “Before returning to the US after my semester abroad, I’ve been traveling for a few weeks. For the past three weeks, I’ve been in Sri Lanka, connecting with family and revisiting my home country after so many years. It’s been amazing to enjoy delicious food, relax by the beach, and explore places that hold so many childhood memories. Grateful for this time to recharge and reflect before heading back.”

: “Snapshots from recent travels: From Belfast’s towering churches to its Christmas Market’s festive glow, every stop tells a story. Germany spoiled me with excellent food, and also Amsterdam on the way back (I forgot to take pictures, so I grabbed some at Schiphol). Last is the Henry Cooke statue outside of BT1.”

Interested in studying at King’s College London? Look at what current ESIA student, Lily, has to say about her experience🇬🇧

“I have now spent a month at King’s College London living in a flat with seven other students in South London. I like the flat dorm system a lot, as it provides both a space to socialize with your friends and neighbors but enjoy some alone time in your private ensuite rooms. My flatmates are also very nice, outgoing and funny. Since we are all international or first year students, we have bonded over experiencing local cultures together.

London itself is a lovely city: walkable, great public transportation system, wonderful food options and rich in history, arts and culture. Besides the cloudy weather, I have nothing to complain.”

If you’re interested in looking at more of our UK programs, check out https://passport.gwu.edu !

: “This past weekend, I decided to stay in Italy and soak up everything Italy has to offer - something I’ll miss dearly when I head back home in just a few weeks!

On Saturday, I took a day trip to Turin to explore the city and experience the excitement of the Nitto ATP Tennis Finals happening there. I really enjoyed the city and loved seeing all of the tennis-themed displays and activities. There was definitely a fun energy in the city!

I spent the rest of the weekend in Milan, exploring some holiday markets & events, shopping around, and spending time with friends. As seen in the video, there was a Swiss Alps sponsored event that transformed the piazza into a faux mountain with snow and a ski slope. It certainly was fun watching people ‘ski’ in the middle of the city!

This weekend was a nice mix of exploring a new city and spending time in my city! 🇮🇹🍕🎾✨⛷️”

Interested in studying in Rome, Italy? Look at what current GW student Sydney has to say about her experience so far🇮🇹

“One of my favorite parts of studying in Rome, is the easy access to other Italian cities. Some of my new friends and I took a lovely day trip to Florence. I have been to many Italian cities since the train system is so easy! My favorite Italian city has to be the Amalfi Coast, but it is pretty difficult to access.“

: “Snippets from my East Coast trip! From Brisbane, to Sunshine Coast, to Gold Coast, to Byron Bay, it was so exciting to see more of Australia’s incredible nature sights! 🌊🌄⛰️”

Here’s a short testimonial from current GW student Sid Kuchimanchi: “Being in London has been an incredible experience thus far - one of the best parts is how walkable the whole city is. It’s easy to wander past iconic locations in an instant, and there’s always something interesting right around the corner, whether a monument, new restaurant, or an incredible view.”