¡Hola a todos and welcome back to "There Be Dragons"! Annelise Eidt

   ¡Hola a todos and welcome back to "There Be Dragons"! 

    I'm Annelise Eidt, a junior in the Global and Disciplinary honors programs through Lloyd Honors College. I'm at UNCG pursuing a double major in Speech Language Pathology and Spanish, the latter of which was my inspiration for studying abroad in a spanish-speaking country. I was lucky enough to spend my spring 2025 semester studying in Valparaíso, Chile at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (PUCV) through UNCG's partnership with the ISEP agency. I'm so excited to be sharing my experience with you all!

Below: Pictures from all around Valparaíso and Viña del Mar, Chile

 

A Home Away from Home

During my 6 months in Chile, I stayed with a host family in the nearby town of Viña del Mar. My experience of living in a new country as well as practicing Spanish was intricately tied to my close relationship with my host family and I could not have asked for kinder or more patient people to form my second family. I stayed here with my own room, access to kitchen and laundry services, and it was right down the road from a micro stop (the bus system of Chile). We tried to eat together for lunch and dinner or "once" which is a late night meal of bread, meat and cheese, and tea. We would converse at the table about things ranging from how our days went to current politics and would also have friends and family over on the weekends.

Pictured below: My host family including my host parents (Ximena and José Miguel), la Abuelita Eliana, and la Tía Eva

Putting the "Study" in "Study Abroad"

While I was enrolled at PUCV in Valparaíso, I took a total of 6 classes over two terms. I opted to take all of my courses completely in Spanish, but they also offered courses in english too. Of course I had some grammar and conversation courses but I also took classes focusing on healthcare systems in Chile, Latin American short stories, and traditional dances of Chile which were fascinating. I found that although the courses were at times more rigorous than I anticipated, all of the professors were very kind and always willing to help. As someone who has always found school to come easily, this experience really pushed me to grow by taking more of an active role in my education. I had to try twice as hard to understand concepts that if explained in english would be fairly quick to understand. However, with time class materials became easier to digest, which showed me my personal growth in the language and significantly helped with my self-confidence in Spanish. PUCV also served as a social hub for students where we could hang out and study or just chat. If we weren't studying at school you would find us at one of the countless cafes in the city where you could buy a coffee or specialty drink for under $4! Or we would be at the beach, as Chile has massive amounts of coastline on the Pacific ocean. Pictured below is one of our favorite cafes in Viña del Mar called Café Rosa where everything was pink.

Seeing the World

My flight to Chile was the first time I had ever been outside of the United States, and I planned to make the most of all of my time while I was on another continent. With a country so varied like Chile with its beaches and mountains and deserts, I was determined to soak it all in. Not to mention all of the amazing countries that were just a short plane ride away. I managed to take about a trip per month with friends I had made through the exchange program at PUCV. Spanning the countries of Chile, Argentina, and Brazil, I was able to swim in crystal blue waters, hike glaciers and volcanoes, stargaze in the desert night sky and even see alpacas and vicuñas in person! These trips probably constituted my most vivid memories of my semester abroad because each trip was magical in its own way, seeing awesome places with friends that I met only a few weeks to a few months ago but now consider some of my closest friends. Below are a few pictures from my travels to Pucón, Chile (top row), the Atacama desert, Chile (bottom left), and skiing in the Andes mountains outside of Santiago de Chile!

Final Reflections 

The six months I spent in Chile helped me grow so much within my language learning journey, but also in general life skills. Now that I'm back, I find it so much easier to put myself out there and make new friends, I'm less anxious to try new things, and I have an even greater understanding and empathy for the people I interact with every day. I am beyond grateful for all of the opportunities I was afforded in traveling abroad, including financial assistance I received through UNCG, the Lloyd International Honors college and the Gilman Scholarship program. I would 100% recommend going abroad at least once, you'll learn so much about other cultures and you'll also be surprised at how much you learn about yourself. Thanks so much for reading about my trip to Chile, I hope it inspires you to get out there and explore!

The Many Travels of Jasmine Doctor: Italy, Japan, and China

Studying abroad in Japan has always been a dream of mine since I was a child. I’ve always wanted to see and experience different cultures from around the world. Studying in Japan has given me a different experience of what it is like to be independent especially in a foreign country. I was able to get around the country fine because I could hold a conversation with the locals and translate situations. I was able to do this because I started studying Japanese as a child and continued while in college.  While I was in Japan, I learned how to budget my money and spend it wisely while giving myself the freedom to buy something nice from time to time.  I learned new ways to make the best use of my time between classes and free time to travel the city. I always thought I managed my time well, but this provided me with an opportunity to see if I truly could do it while in a foreign country. I adapted to my surroundings quickly and became adjusted to the new lifestyle once I found a routine for myself. While I was abroad, I became more extroverted. I gained the courage and confidence to talk to strangers whether it was to ask for directions or to make new friends. This improved my communication skills and ability to network with others.

I will continue to enhance my ability to communicate with others as I have started to learn some Italian so I can be able to get introduce myself, get around the city and interact with locals. I will use my ability to interact with others that I developed in Japan while also in Italy. The Art of Florence, Italy, will benefit me as an artist and academically, through learning about the history of the Italian Florence renaissance through the works of art and architecture in the city. I will be immersed in the history of Italy, specifically the Medici family while learning about the political, social, and cultural environment. I will experience Italian culture and appreciate the beauty of its rich history and art. While acquiring knowledge about the past, I will also be recording my surroundings through my sketchbook by observing life, people, nature, and architecture. Drawing from life is crucial for an artist, especially an animator, because it helps build structure, gesture, perspective, and creativity. Animators use the world as a reference all the time and pull from life to portray it in their work. I will experience a different perspective by interacting with locals, viewing works of great artists while conceptualizing how this can influence my artwork. Florence, Italy is the capital of art and is full of opportunities and experiences that will allow me to improve and flourish.

In addition to Italian history, I will be engaged in its culture. I will get to learn different cultural norms and beliefs. I believe this will influence my artwork because I can use the knowledge, I gain in Italy to tell a story. Whether that is making a narrative based on my experiences and producing an animation or taking inspiration from the architecture to make environment drawings. I could even make characters based on the interactions I’ve had with the locals; the possibilities are endless. Being surrounded by a diverse culture gives me the opportunity to encounter new people from a variety of different backgrounds.

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My study abroad adventure continues to China, I got an offer for the Visual Arts Director to visit China full funded. This trip was two weeks long, I went with three other UNCG students and five faculty members. We were representatives of the art department. We toured different Universities on the eastern side of China, cities such as Wenzhou, Wuhan, Nanchang, Hangzhou, and Shanghai. Attended meetings while fighting off jet lag however, I enjoyed hearing the schools talk about their art departments and touring their studios. 

I got to try a variety of foods from varying areas and sit at beautifully decorated banquet tables that spin. I ate foods like soup dumplings, bao buns, chicken feet, lots of foods I did not know how to pronounce. I also got to eat food made by culinary students at a university. I stayed at a fancy resort the first night in Wenzhou with an amazing view of the city. Then we went to the next city, Hangzhou, I tried Chinese KFC personally was not a fan of it then. Next, we went to a silk museum, and I got to meet my cousin who lives in China. Later that evening, we ate another banquet dinner then I was able to shop at the local market by the street. The market had cute items which were good for souvenirs, I bought a phone charm and a hair pin for a friend. 

The next day, we went to Hangzhou West Lake scenery spot a UNSECO World Heritage site, I enjoyed a scenic walk and the cold air. The next spot was Nanchang to visit, here I got to interact with students from Jiangxi Normal University. I presented to students about my major and looked at what they are working on. Later that evening, I met some students who will come to UNCG to tour our campus. I was nice to introduce myself while chatting with them then, we went to a local night market that sold a variety of street foods. After, I returned to the US I got to give the same students I met in China a tour of our campus. I had a great time in China and learned more about the culture and history. I would love to return there and see more of what the country has to offer.

 The three of these study abroad experiences will continue to increase my knowledge from an academic and cultural perspective.  These experiences will provide me with academic credit for my major and minor at UNCG.  More importantly, it will positively impact my career as an Animator.  I will have real life experiences in different cultures that will be used to influence my work as an artist.

Study Abroad in Australia: Dominic Done

 Cheers & welcome to another post for “There Be Dragons!” my name is Dominic Done. I hope you can join me in revisiting one of the most incredible experiences during my time as an undergrad, where I studied for five months in Perth, Western Australia! 

Before we depart, I’d like to provide some background about myself. I am a third-year student who transferred to UNCG from an Early College in Monroe, NC. I am majoring in Hospitality and Tourism Management, which was further appreciated throughout my study abroad experience. I am also a Global Honors student at the Lloyd International Honors College and am involved with numerous student organizations.

Academics:

In July 2023, I embarked on an unforgettable journey to the Land Down Under, where I discovered a newfound love for myself, my major, and my outlook on life. I studied at Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Perth, Western Australia—one of UNCG’s partner universities—and joined a vibrant community of thousands of international students.

While at ECU, I gained invaluable hands-on experience in event management and tourism, strengthening my passion for a future career in the industry. The university also provided the support and resources I needed to navigate cultural and academic challenges while helping me build skills that continue to serve me back home in the United States.

Embracing the Aussie Lifestyle:

Living in Perth taught me the importance of work-life balance and various life skills. Australians are known for their laid-back attitude, and this relaxed approach was a breath of fresh air during my time abroad. With its calm and scenic vibe, Perth is the perfect place to appreciate the simple joys of life. I quickly learned to value quality time with friends and family, a lesson that made homesick days a little tougher but also reminded me of the importance of meaningful connections.

Adventure is Out There!

Beyond academics and my growing love for event planning and event tourism, my favorite part of this experience was the endless opportunities for exploration and adventure.

Within my first week, I joined my parents on a 17-mile bike ride around Rottnest Island. The island’s pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters were breathtaking, and, of course, we couldn’t resist taking selfies with the happiest animal on earth—quokkas!

I also had the incredible chance to visit Sydney and Melbourne. As a self-proclaimed thrifting and café enthusiast, I was utterly captivated by the local fashion and café culture. Seeing these aspects of daily life through a new lens inspired me to appreciate these cities' creative energy and incited more inspiration to travel and explore further!

Out of all the fantastic experiences and gift-shop gits, I would say that the most memorable gift that I brought back with me is my koala tattoo! This hand poke tattoo I got in a local shop near the beach in Perth symbolizes the appreciation for exploration and change and the understanding that not all life changes are bad. Getting a tattoo in various countries is now a new tradition I plan to carry on as I continue my career traveling the world!

¡Viva España! - A Month in Cádiz, Spain

¡Viva España! - A Month in Cádiz, Spain

¡Hola everyone! My name is Zainab and welcome to another post of the “There Be Dragons” blog! I’m a BA Studio Art major with a minor in Rhetoric & Public Advocacy. I’m also completing International Honors and studied Spanish for my language requirement. I’m also a Reynolds Scholar.

 

1- Smiles from La Torre Tavira, the highest point in Cadiz.

 

In May 2024, I studied abroad in southern Spain for one month with the UNCG Faculty Led: Summer in Spain program. I lived in Cádiz alongside other UNCG students and took classes from UNCG professors. We immersed ourselves in the culture, went on excursions to nearby cities, and practiced our Spanish skills. This experience was extremely impactful for me. I challenged myself, greatly improved my language skills, and discovered new things about myself.

 

2 - Group photo during our Day 1 tour of the city.

 

First, I wanted to share how I found this program. I set a goal to study abroad the summer before my junior year. I looked for faculty-led summer programs as they best fit my comfort level, planned course load, and degree path. I also knew I wanted to take Spanish for the Honors language requirement. All of these factors led me to Summer in Spain. I also looked at previous student experiences and saw that many Honors College students had enjoyed the program. Furthermore, the inclusion of historical excursions also caught my eye as I was interested in learning about the region’s Islamic influence. Lastly, with the support of the Reynolds Scholarship, I had a clear path to studying abroad in Spain!

From the beginning of this trip, I stepped out of my comfort zone. I had traveled internationally before, but never alone. Shortly before my flight, which would have been alongside others in the program, there was a system error and I had to rebook. This led me to arriving a day late by myself. That experience, while scary at first, taught me how to adapt to the unexpected. I was able to make my way to Cádiz on my own with only two courses of Spanish and a limited exposure to the culture!

 

I also wanted to improve my Spanish skills through this program. My speaking and conversation skills were limited due to a lack of confidence and practice. Being assigned homestay accommodations with native Spanish speakers and going on Spanish-language tours greatly aided in my improvement. Thanks to everything from talking to waiters to daily conversation practice with my classmates and professors, speaking Spanish became much easier by the time I left Cádiz. I hope to continue practicing by engaging with UNCG opportunities and consuming more Spanish language media.

 

3 - Visiting El Parque Genoves with my roommates, which

included two students from a university in Mississippi 

 

As previously stated, I also found value in what this program helped me discover about myself. My previous travel experience was limited to trips to see family abroad. Being in southern Spain (with its rich history, vibrant architecture, and unique culture) opened my eyes up to how wonderful travel can be. I discovered how I could combine my love of photography and architecture to document my travels. I can now see how travel deeply helps the mind and soul. 

 

Reflecting on my favorite experiences, I think about our trips to the sprawling Alhambra complex or the elaborate Gothic style Cathedral of Seville. I think about the town of Cádiz, small yet filled with lively people, pretty plazas, and savory seafood dishes. I think about unexpected adventures such as learning how to make a tortilla de patatas with Dr. Laura Hortal and a few other students or a walk on La Caleta exploring tidal pools with my roommate. These experiences are ones I already miss dearly and look back on fondly. They are moments that could never be replicated.

4 - Views of the Alhambra, Granada, Spain.

5 - The Gothic Cathedral of Seville

6 - One of Cadiz’s many picturesque streets.

7 - Made an authentic Tortilla de Patatas!

8 - Sunset from a boat during our final week.

 

Studying abroad in Cádiz is something I will cherish as the starting point for a new outlook on life. The semester prior to my trip was emotionally and academically challenging for me. Leaving the United States and being exposed to new things was so refreshing. I made lifelong friends. I renewed my sense of gratitude for my support system. I gained knowledge that will aid my future academics and career. I am grateful for how Reynolds and Honors has led me to this moment and I can’t wait to see how it will shape my future. Thank you for reading!

 

Samuel Discovered No Dragons in Wales

 Hello, I’m Samuel Argueta, and welcome to another edition of “There Be Dragons!”  

Let me get introductions out of the way. I’m a senior majoring in English with the hopes of becoming a novelist and editor. Additionally, I’m a member of the Undergraduate Creative Writing Club and Alpha Lambda Delta, and I’m an honors student completing international and disciplinary honors.  

This is the grand, but summarized, tale of my time abroad in Wales during the spring semester, where I studied creative writing at the *ahem* University of Wales Trinity Saint David at Lampeter. Unfortunately, since dragons don’t exist in Wales, so you know everything is a lie, and I legally cannot talk about the little troll guy I met at a Saintsbury parking lot unless I want to incur his raw, unbridled rage, I'll have to make it grand with what I got from my experience. 

The road to studying abroad was not full of kittens and rainbows; more like screaming Evas. Money wasn’t the issue, as I got support from the Gilman Scholarship and I saved up enough to survive. Instead, it was dealing with crippling mental issues I’ve suffered from all my life. My anxiety disorder and persistent depression spiked during the fall of 2022, and a crisis I had back in November threatened to take away all the work I put in. My parents and the university staff were reasonably wary of sending me 4,348 miles away to a country I'd never been to before on my own. My dream to one day explore the world pushed me to keep up my plan, but I had to prove to everyone that they didn’t have to worry about me too much. Throughout December, I got a psychiatrist who prescribed the right pills, contacted UWTSD about mental health programs, had a ton of sessions with my therapist, and ruminated about myself in the comforts of my bed at 3 a.m. Now, a month didn’t heal the scars—I don’t advertise trying to do the same thing—but I mentally recovered enough to feel ready for my trip, while also easing the stress from my parents. With my head held up high, I boarded my flight in January and landed in London because the Charlotte Douglas Airport didn’t have a stop at Cardiff. Had to wait an hour for the university to send a van to get me to campus. But, the point is I made it to campus and my abroad experience began. 

One of the reasons I chose good ol’ UWTSD was because it was the cheaper option out of the many international universities with a creative writing program. Going abroad was going to be expensive no matter what university I chose, so I decided to choose something a little easier on my wallet. But I was also interested in their proposal of being able to write a manuscript that could lead to it being published. That turned out to be the Independent Project module, which was very similar to the senior honors project I will be doing later this year. Instead of going to a class, I worked on my own time to write an 8000-word short story and a 1000-word critical essay reflecting on my process and the story as a whole. Unfortunately, taking this class meant that I could only take 2 courses throughout my time abroad. No problem for me, I'm used to not going out and making friends with classmates. I still touch grass though, what’s your excuse? 

I decided to write a science-fiction horror short-story. The story is about a girl who returns to her hometown years after she and her family escaped due to the townspeople’s cultish obsession over them, only to find a mystery when the town is both devoid of life and war-ridden. My advisor throughout the project was Professor Sarah Reynolds, who also taught the other course I participated in. Great person; absolutely recommend UWTSD to people interested in creative writing just for her. Anyway, we would have meetings based on the drafts I sent her and she would discuss what’s good about them and what could change and/or be improved. She was hard on me but that’s because she knew the writing business, and I could tell she genuinely wanted to help me…also because I once gave her a draft made up of around 18000 words. Yes, I did go way over the word limit and, yes, I did condense the hell out of that story. It was so much that I still had work when I left the country early to travel with my family to El Salvador in May. But, at the end of a grueling 2-week grind, I successfully turned in my story, which I christened "How it Struck, In A Silent Way." Although the publishing thing never happened, which I shouldn't be surprised by since that was obviously meant for students who were completing the full 4 years, I’ll probably send it to the Greensboro Review when I feel it’s ready for the public. Despite that, I’m glad that I wrote a completed manuscript, and I’m proud of the lessons I learned from Professor Reynolds that helped me better my craft. 

Now, with the school stuff out of the way, I’ll share two experiences I cherished. In the months leading to the start date, I imagined traveling around Wales on my own; a lone adventurer meeting new people and exploring new and beautiful sites. I was fairly convinced this would happen, but that changed when I met two people who became irreplaceable friends: Lavinia and Phoenix. I met them both at the airport and got to know them during the van ride to campus. Lavinia was from Italy, while Phoenix was from China. We all stayed in the same apartment; I and Lavinia were basically next-door neighbors in the same flat while Phoenix was 3 floors above us. We shared a lot of memories, traveling to the neighboring towns of Carmarthen and Aberystwyth, and eating together in our small kitchen. But I’ll never forget how much they understood and supported me when the memories of my crisis resurfaced or when my depression worsened. None of the experiences I had in Wales would have been as memorable without them, and I still cherish the friendship we forged.  

Also, my right eye is half-closed in half of the pictures involving me and my friends. Lavinia…forgive me. 

In April, I and other UNCG students that went to Wales took the opportunity to travel to other countries during our Easter Break. In a week, we went to London, Paris, and Dublin. Planning that was hell, especially with getting the timing for arriving and departing right, but we still had a magical time. Now that you have the context, let me tell you the story in which I went off on my own somewhere while in Paris. Not all of us arrived at the same time due to not sharing the same mode of transportation—for example, I took the train while others took a plane— so some of them were going to wait at the Airbnb we rented. I, on the other hand, decided to travel to the main city on my own to a place I figured no one else in the group would have any interest in. Yes, I went on my own in a city with a language I had no clue about, and I still have one of my kidneys. You might be thinking that I went to the Louvre or the Eiffel Tower as an excuse to get a semblance of that original dream. 

Nope, I went to the Bandai Hobby Store. 

What? Hey, at least you saw a picture of West Minister Abbey from a high position within the London Eye. 

I’m a huge fan of Gundam fan. My favorite part is all the war crimes being committed, and Amuro getting slapped. However, dedicated Bandai and Gundam stores are far and few between in America. So, when I learned there was one located in Paris, I just had to visit. Heck, on my to-do list for Paris, I put that as the top priority over the Eiffel Tower. Anyway, when I stepped into that store, I realized that I stepped into a Gundam paradise masquerading as a store. Various built models in glass displays, categorized by the show they appeared in; a stairwell leading to the bottom floor that had a timeline of all of the Rx-78-2 Gundam model kits over the years, with the actual models behind glass embedded in the wall; shelves upon shelves full of model kit boxes; even a dedicated fixture for people’s entries from Gundam model builders’ competitions including the gold first-place trophy. I was in consumer heaven! It was so much to absorb that I was in that store for a whole hour. By the end, I bought a 1/144 scale model kit of the Rx-78 Gundam based on the giant moving statue in Yokohama, Japan, as a memento of my visit. Yep, that was the best hour of my life, surrounded by beautiful plastic robots. Freakin worth it.  

Overall, those 4 months in Wales were momentous, and I will cherish my experience for the rest of my life. I proved to myself that the illnesses I suffered from don't control me anymore, and I can accomplish great things that matter to me. For anyone desiring to study abroad, but you're suffering from mental illness, I'd say go for it. Don't do it just to prove to others you can; do it to prove to yourself. With support, planning, patience, and tenacity, it's completely possible. Take it one step at a time. 

That’s it from me. I hope you enjoyed my post and feel ready for your big step into this big, blue, ever-changing world. One last thing, my one tip to those also going to the U.K: do not, under any circumstance, eat Cadbury cream eggs.