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My favorite aspect of my time abroad has been the relationships and connections I have made with other students. Whether we go to our local Irish bar, hang out in one of our rooms or travel across the continent (or sometimes to other continents), the sound of our laughter constantly fills the space that we are in. Walking through Vieux Lyon as the sun goes down and the bars and restaurants open their doors for the evening. My friends and I discover hidden gems and sit outside as we watch boats stroll across the river.

It was always a dream of mine to see the beautiful ocean of Dubrovnik, Croatia and therefore my friends and I decided to visit the Game of Thrones land for a weekend. After a day of walking around the Old Town of Dubrovnik in the scorching heat, we unexpectedly walked through the gate of Sunset Beach. We walked across the sharp pebbles and placed our belongings on a smooth surface prior to gazing at the sunset. A few months later, my friends and I travelled literally across the world to Marrakech, Africa and filled our day with ATV and camel riding in the blazing Agafay Desert. Holding snakes around our necks and wide-eyed observing a Moroccan fire show, these memories will forever hold a place in who I am today.

With this being said, these visual sights will never escape my memory, however the feelings, the laughs and the emotions that accompany these events are what truly create a memory. Although my new friends and I possess various cultures, backgrounds and languages, the emotions that go along with the smiles and the laughter remain the same for every individual. My time abroad has opened my eyes to countless experiences and connections that I will cherish forever.  

Ethan in Marrakech: