Ashley Burleson
After taking a paella cooking class in Barcelona, the dish became a fan favorite among my friends and I. A cultural experience that became one of my happiest memories abroad.
ListenAfter taking a paella cooking class in Barcelona, the dish became a fan favorite among my friends and I. A cultural experience that became one of my happiest memories abroad.
ListenMental health beliefs abroad:
This is a story of how I had to advocate against the invalidation of mental health diagnoses from a mindfulness professor within my university abroad.
ListenThis story is about one of my first full days in London. My friends and I decided to go out on our own and see a show, then decided to go back to a Covent Gardens, where we had been earlier in the day.
But at this time of night, we witnessed some street musicians and just a crowd of people jamming out to them. We listened and stuck around to really take in the atmosphere.
“Lost on the Tube.”
This is a story about the time my friends and I got separated on the tube and it closed down before I could make it home. Here is also a picture of the lines that I had taken that night to show our other friends how lost we were from South Kensington.
ListenSick In Spain
I made the decision to study abroad in Barcelona during the fall of 2021 with the understanding that there was a risk of getting sick during the pandemic. I found out in my first few weeks during my semester that I would be quarantined for two weeks after testing positive for COVID-19. I had to figure out how to live on my own without leaving my apartment and navigate what it is like to be sick in another country. It was a rough start to my semester, but it turns out there was a silver lining!
ListenThe Perfect Day Trip in Denmark
While studying abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark I had the opportunity to travel to the east coast to Mons Clint. A trip full of friends, laughs, and ice cream, it was a great day spent abroad.
ListenIn Barcelona, I was in most of my classes with all US students and I lived with all US students so branching out to locals was more challenging and an opportunity I needed to make for myself. I ended up befriending a local who I went out to lunch with in my free time and got to learn more about the culture and way of life through her personal stories.
ListenYour parents always ask if your friend jumped off a bridge, would you? Well I didn’t quite jump off a bridge but I did realize the true meaning of this saying as I found myself embarking on a journey I didn’t necessarily plan, but did enjoy!
ListenStuck in Morocco — This is a story of the time that I went to Marrakech, Morocco, slept in the Sahara Desert, and ended up staying in Morocco for 4 more days than I originally planned.
ListenDuring my time in Copenhagen, Denmark, I had a surprising revelation about bagels and how they are used in different cultures.
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