Steven Armijo- Blog Abroad
Blog #1
Ever thought about becoming more independent and challenging yourself to grow by overcoming obstacles? Studying abroad might be the perfect opportunity for you. In my experience studying abroad so far, I have that I have become more independent and self-reliant in everything that I do. Studying abroad is about more than just travel. To me, it’s about challenging yourself to overcome obstacles and adapt.Throughout my journey I have accomplished so many things I never thought I would ever do or could do. This is huge! For example, I never imagined myself so independent and I never thought I could navigate the world alone without family or friends by my side. In the past I would tend to not like to do anything by myself. But I was forced to expose myself to new situations such as, navigating airports and cities by myself, getting better at talking to strangers, fill time by myself, and socially starting from scratch in a new foreign city. In my day-to-day life back home, these possibilities wouldn't be the case. These out of my comfort zone experiences taught me so much. For someone like me, who used to rely on others for confidence, these accomplishments feel even more significant. Everything I have experienced so far can only be considered huge personal wins that are worth celebrating with hopefully many more wins to come. The best thing by far has been enjoying these accomplishments. Studying abroad has truly been game changer, opening my eyes to new ways of life and teaching me self-reliance. Just two weeks in, I’ve already learned so much and I am very appreciative and thankful to UNM for giving me the unique opportunity to do this. If you’re someone who’s dreamed of becoming more independent or stepping outside your comfort zone, studying abroad could be the perfect fit for you. It’s a fun challenge that offers an incredible chance to grow by teaching you skills that you will carry onward to your future endeavors. Trust me, after this life changing experience, you will come out of it a better version of you by enjoying the big wins along the way. Enjoying The Big Wins
Blog #2
Pictures can’t fully capture a study abroad experience. It’s hard to convey feelings in a photograph. Ever wanted or needed an excuse to escape from your day-to-day life, to focus on yourself, and to see new sights? Studying abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that can offer exactly that—a break from the familiar and a chance to immerse yourself in a new culture and fresh perspectives. Study Abroad: A Getaway
Maybe you’re looking for an escape from stressors back home—family, friends, or just the usual routines—or perhaps you’re eager to be awed by new places. Studying abroad is almost like a vacation in that way. Of course, there are still responsibilities and classes, but you’re in a whole new country, on your own, and free to do what you want, embracing a new level of independence. No family obligations, no friend obligations—just you and your choices. This freedom was the biggest draw for me. If you have drama or stress at home, a six-month or year-long break in a new country can feel like a breath of fresh air.
If you’re lucky enough to have this opportunity, I would highly recommend taking it. Everyone could benefit from some time away from home, especially if you’ve never lived anywhere else. It will make you appreciate home even more, knowing it’s waiting for you when you return. Over time, you’ll develop a new sense of pride in your home and a deeper appreciation for it.
For me, every time I introduce myself, I make a point to say I’m from New Mexico because that feels like it defines me better than just saying “American.” Traveling has helped me feel more connected to my roots because I’m proud to be part of New Mexico’s beauty and culture. Studying abroad allows you to grow as a person, and you get to bring all of that personal growth back home with you.
If you’re worried about feeling homesick, home is always just a phone call away. Staying connected to family and friends is valuable, and you might even grow closer to people back home, despite the distance.
Blog #3
Having the opportunity and experience of being able to attend The University of Leeds as a study abroad student can be an exciting, wonderful, learning and rewarding journey. Not only can it be an amazing adventure in the academic sector, but also it can be an amazing opportunity to venture out into the country and surrounding cities and experience firsthand the English culture. Study abroad: Exploring the land
When is the next time you are going to be submerged in the UK or any other study abroad countries? Probably not soon.That’s why the study abroad program offered by UNM is so valuable.
It gives the opportunity to live overseas, which might be difficult to achieve on your own without UNM.
Living in a foreign country opens doors for adventure. Since you’re already “across the pond,” traveling to nearby countries and cities is much easier and more affordable than it would be from the United States. Think of it as a long-term investment.
The best aspect of my study abroad experience has been the chance to travel. This opportunity has allowed me to see all these different ways of life, people, and be in awe of the unique architecture and atmosphere.
So far, I’ve traveled to cities like Manchester, York, and London, with plans to visit many more. The train system here is incredibly convenient—much more accessible than in the U.S.—and an exciting way to travel long distances. Way easier than flying on airplanes. Once you get past the learning curve of navigating the trains, you’ll find it’s one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to travel (besides walking).
Leeds itself is a walkable, fun city to explore. If I find myself needing to clear my head, nothing helps more than walking in a new part of the city that I haven't seen before. It's easy to fall into routines no matter where you live, but exploring a different path or walking in a different direction can break the cycle and keep things exciting and see new things.
Walking around Leeds has been a constant reminder of how special this experience is because everything looks so different in comparison to back home, everyday feels like an adventure.
So if you are considering studying abroad. I would highly recommend it if you want to explore the land in a foreign city, learn to navigate to nearby destinations and be immersed in new cultures. For me, Leeds has been the perfect place to do all this.
If you are ready for some new scenery. Get ready to pack your bags and learn more about how you could study abroad. You'll gain so much more than just an education-you'll gain memories and insights that will forever stay in your heart.
Blog #4
Studying abroad is a great opportunity to embrace change in your life. It gives you the chance to switch up the scenery, have a change of atmosphere, and experience something new. It goes without saying, if you choose to take UNM up on this opportunity, your life is going to turn upside down for the next 6 months to a year. Whenever I arrived at my exchange school they hosted an embracing change workshop specifically for international students, which I had the chance to attend. They host this workshop because they know how life changing moving to a different country can be. Especially if it's your first time living in a new place. One of my key takeaways from the workshop was a strategy to deal with current change. This strategy is reflecting. Reflecting on the past, specifically on a time you went through a change and remember how you adapted to it. For example, a new job, moving to a new city, new school, a rough period etc. For me, I thought back to starting a new job and with time and practice I got more comfortable with my duties. Change is not inherently bad, especially on a study abroad program, it's actually the goal. The whole point of the program is to do things you’ve never done, to experience life in a completely different way and experience new things. Practicing intentional change, like moving to a new country through the study abroad program can be a great way of getting comfortable with change. Studying abroad can be a pretty intimidating thought, but know you are capable of adapting. Especially if you’ve never lived outside of your home state. Don’t let fear hold you back from doing something you know could benefit you! European culture, for instance, is very different from American culture in many ways. There are so many new things to experience e.g. the way of life, architecture, food, people, and even how the University operates. For example, the teaching style at the University of Leeds was a big change for me. Unlike UNM, for some of my classes this semester I did not have any graded assignments or quizzes throughout the semester, instead the final makes up 100% of the grade. If you are thinking of studying abroad and are concerned about change. I would say go for it and embrace that chance. Think about what you could gain out of the experience. Study abroad: Embracing Change
