Berkley Center

Soon after I arrived in Madrid, I found myself trying to make small talk with one of the student mentors at the university. “Ummm, so,” I stuttered awkwardly, “Are you in any clubs on campus?” I assumed that this question would initiate a lengthy…

After three months in France, I’ve learned one important lesson: how you dress matters. Mid-calf socks, shorts and a polo, for example, scream “I’m American!” and if you have want to look French, all you need is a striped shirt and some dark jeans.

A few weeks ago, I sat on the edge of a colorful canal that juts straight into the capital of one of the world’s happiest countries. I listened intently to my host mom seated beside me, as she explained some of the perks and grievances of working a…