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Finding Your Rhythm While Studying Abroad

Published on by mayamccrumLeave a comment

Finding your rhythm while studying abroad can be very difficult. At least it has been for me. I have been in Ireland for a month now and I still have not been able to fully find my rhythm.

I believe this has something to do with being the farthest from home that I have ever been and I am supposed to be doing school at the same time.

On one hand I am here and it seems like a vacation because I am exploring a new country and I am far from home. On the other hand, I have lectures, meetings, and assignments to go to and to complete. This duality makes it difficult to get things done.

Slowly, I am figuring out that getting out of my dorm room helps with finding my rhythm for the day. Going to the store to get groceries I need, going somewhere like the library to study, going to spend time with new friends.

Changing the scenery to study is a nice way to help with this, such as going to the library. This helps put your mind in an academic mindset since you are surrounded by other people studying quietly.

Another way to help with this is to get up around the same time every day. I have noticed that when I sleep in, it is much more difficult to find my rhythm for the day. Getting up earlier has helped me start to feel like I have enough time to do everything I need to.

Finding a schedule that works for me with my classes and shopping has helped a little bit with keeping some things consistent, so I am able to get more things done in a day. Keeping a to do list has also helped.

Even though it has been difficult to find my rhythm while abroad, it has slowly gotten easier. Just being patient with yourself and giving yourself some time to adjust is a good way to get accustomed to your schedule as well as being consistent with things that have to be done.

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The Perfect Parent Visit

Published on by carolinepotterLeave a comment

The past 11 days, my parents visited me abroad and we spent the time traveling around Italy in between my classes. Before planning this trip, my mom had no idea what the best layout for a trip would be, so if you are in the same position, here is a brief itinerary you can use as inspiration!


Day 1 (Travel): My parents flew into Rome because it is the most convenient if you want to fly directly from the US to Italy. I met them after my classes were finished on Wednesday. They were both exhausted from travel, so we grabbed dinner at a spot near their hotel and then went to bed early.

Day 2 (Rome): We woke up and hit the ground running in Rome. Walking around, we ended up seeing the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, Colosseum, and Roman Forum. Then, we got dinner at Cesare al Pellegrino, which had the best cacio e pepe I have ever had. 

Days 3-5 (Positano): We took the train to Naples and then had a driver to Positano. We spent our days here relaxing at a beach club, walking up and down endless steps, exploring the cutest little shops, and eating lots of pizza. Some of our favorite spots here included: Saraceno d’Oro (Margherita 2.0 is the best!) and Yummy Gelato (I went with my classic pistaccio and chocolate). The last morning, we played cards at Cafe Positano overlooking the most brilliantly blue water. Then we drove to Naples and took the train to Florence from there.

Days 6-8 (Florence): In Florence, I was able to play tour guide for my parents and show them some of my favorite spots here in between my classes! They went on tours of the Uffizi Gallery, Gallery de Academia, and saw the duomo from the outside, but the line to get up the cupola was too long. Seeing sunset from Piazza Michelangelo was a must-do and we got the best sunset I’ve had yet! We spent lots of time just walking around the city and trying new spots for food that are now some of my favorites! A few food highlights from Florence include: Cibrèo Trattoria, Cantina de’ Pucci, and Parione (which has the best Tiramisu ever, according to my dad).

Days 9-11 (Tuscany): After my classes finished for the week, we drove to an Airbnb we had outside of Siena. On the way, we stopped in Montemorli at the vineyard and farm. We took a cooking class where we made the best pasta and panne cotte for dessert! We also got a wine tasting of the wine they make there following a tour of the vineyard and cellar. The rest of the days in Tuscany, we visited different towns in the area, went on a bike tour through the countryside, and spent lots of quality time together (minus my loss at the card game gin rummy, Dad- we need a rematch). I also had some friends from Florence come to join us for a night which was super fun because my parents got to meet the people who they have heard so much about! We then all came back to Florence together and my parents went back to Rome from there to fly home.

Their visit went by like a blur and I already miss them so much but was so happy I could show them my new home (for the next 2 months)!