Somewhere between balancing school, work, relationships, and the pressure to "have it all figured out," I realized self-care isn’t just about face masks and bubble baths (though I definitely still do those). It's about the little things I do every day that make me feel like me again.

Starting college can feel like stepping into an entirely new world, full of opportunities, challenges, and unknowns. When I first arrived at USC, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I quickly realized that the key to making the most of my experience was learning to say yes.

Studying abroad is often described as a once-in-a-lifetime experience filled with adventure, personal growth, and unforgettable memories. But what people don’t always talk about is the culture shock that can come with it.

When I was a senior in high school, USC was my dream school. It had been a part of my life for as long as I could remember since so many of my family members were alumni. Unfortunately, I was rejected, and it was a tough blow. It took me some time to recover from that disappointment, but I soon realized that attending USC could still be within reach when I learned about the Trojan Transfer Plan (TTP). At the time, TTP was offered to a select group of students, giving us the opportunity to study at one of five USC-accredited universities in Europe.