Notes From Abroad: How We’ve Changed and What We’ll Carry

Mani Sefas-Loos | Berlin, Germany

Curious about everything

Coming to the end of my time in Germany feels immensely emotional and bittersweet. I remember being so nervous in the weeks leading up to my departure — wondering whether I’d miss out on opportunities at home, scared that no one in my program would like me and questioning whether I’d made the right decision. I can assuredly say that after five weeks of intellectual curiosity, making friends and priceless memories, I absolutely made the right decision.

Every day in Berlin has been an adventure, partially because of the sheer number of museums, restaurants and other cultural offerings, but also because of the version of myself Berlin brings out. I feel curious about everything, from the mosaic of transit lines to the complexities of East German spying to the best döner kebab shops. I feel very thankful to be here, and so every moment (no matter how mundane they would be in California) feels enormous.

Taking a Global Seminar has allowed me to connect with my professor, classmates and academics in a way that just isn’t possible in a lecture setting. Sometimes where learning ends and leisure begins becomes blurry. And when the city is your campus, everything becomes a learning opportunity. My time in Berlin has truly changed me. I am so glad that I didn’t give into the fears in my head and jumped into this truly unique and beautiful experience.

Gerardo Flores | Barcelona, Spain

The beauty of stepping into the unknown

I’m feeling a mix of emotions as my time abroad comes to an end. I’m excited to go back home, to see my friends and family and to share all the stories, photos and memories I’ve collected along the way. But I also know that I’ll really miss Barcelona — its energy, the beauty of everyday life here and the extremely contagious and outgoing culture.

As I reflect on my experience, I’m incredibly proud of how I adapted. This was my first time traveling. Ever. And to not only live in a new country but also take trips to Madrid, Ibiza, Rome and Paris on my own time still blows my mind. I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and made it work. I navigated unfamiliar places, met new people and really made the most of every moment.

There are a couple of experiences I know I’ll be thinking about for years. In Paris, I took a nighttime boat ride on the Seine River around 11 p.m., perfectly timed to see the Eiffel Tower sparkle. I had seen that moment so many times online. But being there in person, with the lights sparkling, was surreal. In Barcelona, one of my favorite memories was paddleboarding at 6 a.m. to watch the sunrise. I went alone, and though my first attempts were wobbly, it turned into one of the calmest, most peaceful mornings I’ve ever had. I didn’t take any photos. And, honestly, I love that. It’s something that will live in my memory alone, making it even more special.

What stands out the most is my growth. This experience has changed me in ways I didn’t expect. I feel more confident, curious and connected — not just to the world but to myself. I’m leaving with a deeper appreciation for new cultures, new perspectives and the beauty of stepping into the unknown.

Mollie King | Copenhagen, Denmark

Challenge yourself

I’ll never forget seeing the sunrise in Copenhagen from my hotel window for the first time. It woke me and my roommate up at 5 a.m. And when we peered out the window, the city was already alive. The trains were running, people were on their bikes and walking around, and the hustle of the day began. I remember the sensation of feeling both nervous and excited about the future — the dawn of a new day made it feel real. Eventually, we learned that it’s probably best to sleep with the blinds closed. Thirty-five sunrises later, though, I’ll still never forget the first one.

I am especially grateful for my classmates in this program as we navigated supporting one another in both our academic and explorational goals. We would share our insider knowledge with one another, keep invitations to new experiences open, and sometimes give a tip for who to contact or potentially interview for our various, interconnected climate change related projects. It’s wild to think that just a few weeks ago, they were strangers.

If you are thinking about studying abroad and reading this — do it. Challenge yourself. If you are hesitant, I understand where you are coming from. It took me a long time to actually apply for this program and go for it. Even during the preparation process, I was worried about finances, having a meaningful experience and getting a good value out of my education. I didn't think that studying abroad was for me or something I would be able to do. I was wrong.

Reflecting on my time, I have learned more unique things here about myself and my skills than I ever could back home, even within an incredible academic institution like UC San Diego. Learning global independence and stewardship takes practice, and it’s a valuable skill to prepare you for the world and to connect with people you think you have nothing in common with (not even a language).

Remember, no matter where you are in the world, there is always someone looking out for you and there is always compassion. You have as much experience and knowledge to share with others as you do to gain from them.

Milind Kankipati | Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Ending on a high note

My last week in Costa Rica was spent working on an independent project in the Blue Zone, where I interviewed locals about how diets have changed across generations. Talking to people face-to-face, hearing their stories and seeing the connections between food, culture and age made everything we’ve learned here come to life. Presenting my research project felt full circle as I combined all the research design, coding and fieldwork skills I acquired over the weeks.

After conducting our projects, we visited Santa Rosa National Park, where we saw some of the most incredible biodiversity I’ve ever witnessed. We ended the trip on a high note, staying at a resort surrounded by good food, hot mud baths and the kind of peaceful moments that made us stop and really reflect on it all. It felt like such a contrast from the intensity of the past weeks, but it was a perfect way to close out the experience.

There are so many moments from this trip that I’ll carry with me. Drinking milk straight from a cow, staying up all night patrolling for turtles in the heat, getting food poisoning (and surviving it), swimming in the ocean, laughing with friends and being pushed outside my comfort zone almost every single day. All the small, wild and sometimes chaotic moments will always make this a memorable trip.

My experience had everything from exhaustion and struggle to growth and joy. I’ve learned how to ask better questions, sit with uncertainty and learn from people whose lives are completely different from mine. Doing fieldwork, navigating language barriers and figuring things out on the go has made me feel more capable and grounded. I’m leaving Costa Rica with a clearer sense of what I care about and a huge appreciation for the people and places that made this trip so special. I don’t think I’ll ever forget it.

Leilani Rivera | Tokyo, Japan

Embrace new opportunities

One thing I would say to a student who is hesitant about participating in a study abroad program is to embrace new opportunities. It might feel intimidating at first, but this could be a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will change the way you see the world and possibly yourself. Take the leap, explore new places, meet new people and challenge yourself in ways you could never have thought of. You may come back with unforgettable memories, new friends and a whole new perspective on life.

Personally, I’ve always been open to learning and trying new things, and studying abroad gave me countless opportunities to do just that. I was able to step outside my comfort zone, explore new experiences and truly make the most of my time abroad. I tried new foods, learned from people with completely different perspectives from me and discovered new passions along the way. Each day felt like an adventure, and I found myself growing in confidence and independence. Looking back, I’m grateful for how much I learned, not just about other cultures, but about myself.

I am deeply grateful for my support system, which includes my family, friends and mentors. Their constant encouragement and belief in me gave me the confidence to pursue this opportunity. Knowing they were cheering me on every step of the way made the experience even more meaningful and reminded me that I was never alone in this journey.

Madeline Balzarini | Cape Town, South Africa

How everything grows outward

This entire experience has felt surreal. I think it will take time for every experience and lesson to sink in. I am particularly grateful for the new friends I’ve made in Cape Town. I’ve gotten to learn and grow with exquisite, driven and open-minded people. I am incredibly grateful that, of all the places in the world, I got to intern in Cape Town. Being in a city that exudes creativity and natural beauty has sparked deep admiration and inspiration in me.

Many of the moments that have impacted me most have been simple, such as hiking in the mountains, reading poetry on the beach and wandering through food markets. A memory I will keep close to my heart was exploring Newlands Forest with my friend Dani. We found a flat boulder to set up a small picnic beside a waterfall's stream. She drew in her notebook, and I meditated. It was a powerful reminder of the contemplative quality of slowing down to sit with life, the beauty of friendship and the generosity of nature.

This trip has taught me the intricacies of how progression happens — how everything grows outward. Every organization, idea, plant, movement and community begins on a granular level and expands outward. And my belief that anyone can make a positive change to advance a more equitable and supportive world has been reinforced. The people I have met through my internship experience have taught me that the impact and scale of what we create is a matter of how intentional, informed and adaptable we are.

From this experience, I have a more realistic understanding of the challenges facing non-governmental organizations aimed at uplifting marginalized communities and protecting non-human nature. I have garnered a lot of knowledge and inspiration these past eight weeks, and now I am excited to apply it on the UC San Diego campus and in my future endeavors.

Pamela Rojas | London, England

A new version of me

As my trip to London comes to an end, I feel a deep sense of gratitude. I’m thankful for the opportunity to work in this incredible city, to be part of a program that introduced me to amazing people, and to experience not only professional growth but also personal transformation.

Every new chapter comes with uncertainty, and this was no exception, but it was the kind of uncertainty I needed. This experience gave me the chance to prove to myself what I’m capable of, to gain clarity on what I want to do with my life and, most importantly, to reconnect with my purpose: to tell my story and inspire other students, especially those who are first-generation students like me. I feel proud of myself not just for the work I’ve done but for the person I’ve become.

One of the most powerful experiences I had was the connection I built with my team. It showed me how important it is to feel supported in a work environment. That support helped me feel grounded, motivated and seen. Through this internship, I’ve come to understand the value of connecting with people, something I’ve always loved. I’ve also become more comfortable navigating unfamiliar environments, speaking with people from different industries and showing up fully as myself. I discovered new skills like adaptability, innovative thinking and the ability to make meaningful impact through my ideas and presence. I know these are strengths I’ll carry back with me to UC San Diego and into whatever path I choose next.

My background, identity and journey as a Peruvian student who left home at 20 years old played a huge role in shaping my experience. Even though I’ve already had to start over once, this time felt different. I had the knowledge, the maturity and the resilience to handle this new challenge in a more grounded way. A new version of me showed up here, and that version embraced the process, not just the next milestone. I learned to slow down, to live in the moment and to trust myself.

Abigail McMurry | Berlin, Germany

A lasting foundation

Living in Berlin and interning with Democrats Abroad Germany this summer has not only given me professional insights, but also a stronger understanding of how my own voice can contribute to actions within international political contexts.

I’m especially proud of stepping out of my comfort zone to take initiative on projects that mattered to me both personally and professionally. One of the most rewarding aspects of the internship was navigating the balance between local and global perspectives. Collaborating with Americans living abroad challenged me to think more critically about how in order to deepen political engagement, we must first adapt to different contexts in lived experiences.

Whether I continue in global advocacy, diplomacy or international policy, I will have established a lasting foundation in cross-cultural collaboration and adaptability. I would sincerely like to thank UC San Diego’s Study Abroad Office, the Office of Innovation and Commercialization and CIEE for making this opportunity possible for me.