TCU Global: Energy Transition and Sustainability in Central Europe 2026

 

Welcome to the TCU 2026 Study Abroad Blog!



How to Create Your Blog Posts and Respond to Classmates

Welcome to the TCU Study Abroad Blog! During our time abroad, each student will create blog posts on global issues, the expansion of worldviews, and the meaning of being a global citizen, and respond to classmates’ posts throughout the course.

Please see the prompts instructions in the syllabus and the due dates. There will be a 10-point deduction for a late assignment posted within 24 hours of the due date. There is a 25-point deduction if not submitted within 48 hours. There is a 50% deduction if not submitted within 72 hours. No credit after 72 hours.

How to Create Your Blog Post

  1. Open the blog and click “New Post.”
  2. Use the following title format:

    Blog Post #1 – Your Name – Topic

    Example:
    Blog Post #1 – Sarah Johnson – Global Issues
  3. Write your post directly in Blogger or paste it from a Word/Google document.
  4. Your post should:
    • Be 250–500 words
    • Address the assigned topic and questions
    • Include thoughtful reflection and personal observations
    • Connect experiences abroad with course concepts
  5. (Optional) Add photos from your experiences abroad.
  6. When finished, click:

    Publish

How to Respond to Classmates’ Posts

  1. Open and read classmates’ blog posts.
  2. At the bottom of the post, click:

    Comments
    or
    Enter Comment
  3. Write a thoughtful response that:
    • References specific ideas from the post
    • Adds insight or reflection
    • Asks questions or makes connections
    • Demonstrates engagement with the topic
  4. Avoid short responses such as:
    • “I agree”
    • “Great post”
    • “Nice job”
  5. When finished, click:

    Publish

  6. Examples of Responses

    The goal of the responses is for students to read their peers' posts, learn and gain insight, and provide feedback. Here are two examples of RESPONSES.

    Jack, I often observe polarization in the media as well. I agree that it is hard to find news that is not politically motivated. Although there are accurate sources on social media, there is a lot of skewed information, mainly because the algorithm tries to cater to what you see and what you agree with, making it, in nature, filtered. I appreciate your comments about America's role and responsibilities regarding global environmental consequences. It is so important to understand the implications policies have on an individual's life; the farmers' protest is an excellent example of this. Although one party says they will make things better, I would need to research more because, as American elections go, a lot is promised during an election, but it is not always delivered.

    Jill, I appreciate your insights and response. We are similar because neither one of us really seeks information about global affairs. Also, I study American politics significantly more than I study European Politics. If Apple News posts an interesting article about global issues, I might or might not read it. When conducting research for this assignment, I realized that Europeans are indeed more concerned with American politics than we are with theirs. I guess I've never realized how influential the United States really is. When it comes to the German farmers’ protest, I wonder what makes you believe people will vote in favor of the farmers? For Germany to be a green country, I’d argue that most people support the Green Deal.

Tips for Navigating the Blog

If the blog becomes lengthy, you can quickly locate posts using the Find feature:

  • Mac: Command + F
  • Windows: Ctrl + F

Search for:

  • “Blog Post #1”
  • “Blog Post #2”
  • “Blog Post #3”
  • or a student’s name

Reminder

Be respectful, thoughtful, and professional in all blog posts and comments. This blog serves as a collaborative reflection space for our shared study abroad experience.

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