Talk to me about: Finding community and a sense of belonging while studying in a foreign country! While I have general advice for finding these spaces across identities, my experience is specifically with finding queer, Filipino, alternative, and creative communities in New Zealand. However, I would be happy to give guidance on any aspect of the study abroad process.

Advice: Make friends with locals (and not just students!) Take the extra time to talk to university staff, your local café barista, a craft store owner— anyone you interact with on a regular basis. These people can teach you so much about where you are, especially from a local perspective. They can also serve as a loose support system and familiar community to make your new country feel more like a home-away-from-home.

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