Embracing Local Shopping Techniques
One of the first things I noticed when arriving in Barcelona is the endless amount of food markets scattered around the city. Even their largest grocery stores pale in comparison to the size of...
Smith Goes Global Blog
France: My Public Transportation Experience
Before coming to France the only experience I had with using public transportation was from taking the metro into DC from time to time. Since I arrived in France in early January, it is...
Barcelona’s Unique City-Scape
Arriving in Barcelona my expectations of what the city would look like were far different from the reality – especially due to the neighborhood within which I reside. As the capital of tourism in...
Brussels: The myth of cultural norms
Brussels, Belgium is the capital of the EU and is home to many expats and employees of the European commission as well as the European Parliament. While the most commonly spoken language in Brussels...
Spain: Cooking Traditional Dishes
One of the coolest experiences I have gotten to have since studying abroad here in Spain through the Maryland-in-Barcelona program has been going to a local cooking class where we got to learn how...
Things I Wish I Knew Before Going Abroad
Moving to a different country can possibly feel overwhelming and maybe scary. This is because of the language barriers, time difference, and large distance away from ‘home’. I spent countless hours shopping for things...
Walking Through London: A Trip Back in Time
This photo of London’s skyline taken from Tower Bridge illustrates how London is a combination of modern architecture and preserved historic landmarks. It is a great example of how new meets old as the...
Experiencing the Best of Barcelona in Between your Classes
As you may expect, there are a lot of differences between daily life at UMD and life in Barcelona and I hope I can provide you with a few pointers on how to find...
How to Solo Travel
Studying abroad can be an overwhelming experience and if you find yourself feeling the need to escape – it’s time for a solo trip. Whether it be to a nearby town or a completely...
Denmark: Exploring the Most Bike Friendly City in the World
During my introduction week at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), I learned that 9 out of 10 Danish residents own a bike. There is a bike lane on every major road in Copenhagen...