Hi! My name is Aurelia Balkanski (aurelia@college) and I’m a senior in Cabot House studying Astrophysics. Last semester I studied abroad in Paris with CUPA and took classes at two French universities as well as a ceramics class at a studio! I have dreamed about studying abroad since I was in middle school so realizing it wasn’t a huge part of Harvard’s culture was a bit disheartening. However, I decided to follow through nonetheless and it has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. After a quick meeting with my concentration advisor to sort out classes, I was full steam ahead. I learned and grew so much this semester and frankly just had the absolute time of my life. My French has improved immensely and with it my confidence has too. I feel so much less burnt out and so excited and empowered by the people I met and the things I learned. I could talk about studying abroad forever so don’t hesitate to reach out even if you’re just a little curious! Plus, who can say no to free coffee and good stories!?

Hey! I’m Dan Contreras (danielcontreras@college) from Long Island, New York. I live in Currier House and study Economics with a secondary in Energy and Environment. I’m half Salvadoran and grew up speaking a lot of Spanish. I figured why not spend a semester abroad in Spain. So, junior spring I participated in the CASA Barcelona program. I've found that everyone has different reasons for studying abroad, whether it's to hone your language skills, travel with friends, make new ones, or just experience a new environment. Classes are definitely different from Harvard, but taking an economic policy class about Spain and the EU and a climatology class are two things I can bring back the next time I’m sitting in a Science Center lecture hall. But Barcelona in a nutshell–clubbing, beaches, and abstract architecture by Antonio Gaudí. Studying abroad was the perfect opportunity to escape the Harvard bubble and experience college in an academic institution that existed before Columbus sailed across the Atlantic.

Hi! My name is Evelyn Chen (evelynchen@college). I’m currently a senior in Quincy House concentrating in Social Studies with a secondary in Computer Science.  I’m originally from Seattle, and my junior spring, I studied abroad in Barcelona through  CIEE where I took courses in Spanish language, gender studies, art history, and urban culture. Studying abroad was an amazing  opportunity to improve my Spanish skills, visit nine countries, make new friends from other universities, and try activities from salsa dancing to surfing! My semester in Barcelona was the absolute best. I could not recommend studying abroad more highly and I would love to answer any questions or share more about my experience with you! 

Hey y’all! My name is Kristian Hardy (kristianhardy@college) and I’m a senior in Dunster House from South Carolina pursuing a joint concentration in Theater, Dance, & Media and African-American Studies with a secondary in Women, Gender, & Sexuality Studies. In the fall of my junior year I studied abroad in Accra, Ghana at NYU Accra and had the best semester of my college experience! My classes were all taught by local faculty on subjects such as Afrobeats and African women playwrights, and they all included field studies which provided an immersive and unique academic experience not available at Harvard. Outside of class, I spent my time interning at one of the leading theater and event production companies in Accra, soaking up the sun, traveling through the country, and dancing my heart out in the city’s vibrant nightlife scene. I could not recommend studying abroad enough to Harvard students and I am here as a resource as you begin the journey of a lifetime!

Hi! My name is Rory (rorypan@college), and I am a senior in Lowell House concentrating in Economics with a secondary in Psychology. I am originally from Atlanta, GA and rarely traveled outside the U.S. before studying abroad. In Spring 2023, I was a student at the International Studies Institute in Florence, Italy. I spent four months learning, hands-on, about Renaissance art history, Italian language, photography, film, and fashion—interests of mine that I only tapped into once arriving in Florence. During my semester, I traveled all over Italy, and my favorite part was bonding with locals and trying their cuisine (Italian food is, truly, that good). I could not recommend studying abroad more; you will come back with a refreshed perspective of the world and of Harvard!

Hi there! My name is Sophia Zhou (sophiazhou@college) and I’m a senior in Mather House from Newton, MA. I study Social Studies with a secondary in Energy & the Environment. Last spring, I studied abroad in Santiago, Chile through the CASA program where I had a fully immersive experience of taking courses, in Spanish, at two local universities. Taking advantage of being abroad, I opted for courses not offered at Harvard, like my class on adapting to earthquake risk in an Andean context or indigenous history in Chile. Outside the classroom, I enjoyed dancing with the salsa/bachata club and learning to rock climb. On top of all this, I found myself traveling nearly every weekend to see the incredible natural landscape in Chile—like the Patagonia mountains (which the brand is named after!). My semester abroad had its share of ups and downs, but it’s an experience I wouldn’t change for the world. Please feel free to reach out if you want to talk through the pro/cons, hear about my semester, or anything else!

 Hello! My name is Vivian Zhao (vivianzhao@college), and I am a senior living in Lowell House. I concentrate in Social Studies and am getting a secondary in Mind Brain Behavior and a citation in Chinese. Last spring, I studied abroad in Nepal, Jordan, and Chile as part of the IHP Human Rights program, and it was truly a magical experience. As part of the program, I was able to learn from experts from all over the world and visit organizations that work in various different capacities under the human rights umbrella, which helped with my thesis on transitional justice. I also lived in homestays and was able to travel extensively within each country with a cohort of 18 other students—a unique experience to say the least. Although I had reservations about leaving Harvard for a semester, I truly cannot imagine having spent my junior spring any other way. My semester abroad has shaped me for the better, and I’d love to chat about my experiences or answer any questions y’all might have.