Founder

Giorgio Rodia

GR Stories is a way to keep track of what studying abroad actually looks like. The routines that eventually feel like home, the meals cooked in unfamiliar kitchens, the trips squeezed between semesters. I write about school, food, travel, and the less photogenic parts of building a life somewhere new.

Writing

25 articles published

GR Stories | Becoming a PADI Rescue Diver in Makadi Bayexperiences · October 2026
6 min read
GR Stories | Chocolate Chip Cookies: The Original Reciperecipes · October 2026
11 min read
GR Stories | Fort Arabesque: Our Villa on the Red Seatravel · October 2026
8 min read
GR Stories | Risotto allo Zafferano: Milan's Golden Risottorecipes · October 2026
14 min read
GR Stories | Student Experiences Abroad & Study Abroad Blogexperiences · April 2026
7 min read
GR Stories | The Golden Dunes of the Merzouga Deserttravel · October 2026
8 min read
GR Stories | The Marrakech Medinatravel · October 2026
11 min read
GR Stories | The Marrakech Riad Ktravel · October 2026
4 min read
Area 51 Alien Center: A Wrong Turn from Vegas to Death Valleytravel · September 2026
11 min read
GR Stories | American Burraco: A Card Game for Tables Far Apartexperiences · September 2026
7 min read
GR Stories | Las Vegas Under 21travel · September 2026
10 min read
GR Stories | Renting a Boat from Santa Margherita Liguretravel · September 2026
9 min read
GR Stories | 3 Unexpected Things About European Universitiesschooling · April 2026
4 min read
GR Stories | Caprese: Italy's Simplest Salad, Done Rightrecipes · June 2026
11 min read
GR Stories | Escape in the Langhe: Le Marne Relaistravel · June 2026
7 min read
GR Stories | Fattoush: Lebanon's Bread Salad, Done Rightrecipes · June 2026
12 min read
GR Stories | Rothko in Florence: A Day at Palazzo Strozziexperiences · June 2026
4 min read
GR Stories | Tortilla Española: The Omelette Students Must Knowrecipes · June 2026
14 min read
How to Write the Perfect AI Prompt (And Actually Get What You Need)schooling · June 2026
13 min read
What AI Actually Can't Do When Studying in Another Languagelife · June 2026
11 min read
Bibimbap: How Students Can Cook Korea's Most Iconic Bowl in Under 40'recipes · May 2026
7 min read
GR Stories | Renting in Turin: A Complete Guide for International Studentslife · May 2026
7 min read
GR Stories | Tiramisù: The Italian Dessert Every Student Should Masterrecipes · May 2026
10 min read
GR Stories | The Perfect Spaghetti al Pomodororecipes · April 2026
3 min read
GR Stories | Weekend Escape in Portofinotravel · April 2026
8 min read
Articles

All writing by Giorgio Rodia

GR Stories | A sea turtle resting on a coral reef in the Red Sea

GR Stories | Becoming a PADI Rescue Diver in Makadi Bay

How I became a PADI Rescue Diver and took EFR Primary and Secondary Care with iDive in Makadi Bay, Hurghada, and what each course really involves.

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GR Stories | A stack of chocolate chip cookies on a wooden table

GR Stories | Chocolate Chip Cookies: The Original Recipe

The original Toll House chocolate chip cookie recipe, converted to grams and Celsius for European kitchens, with tips on brown sugar, baking soda and chocolate chips.

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GR Stories | Fort Arabesque: Our Villa on the Red Sea

GR Stories | Fort Arabesque: Our Villa on the Red Sea

A week in a swim-up villa at Fort Arabesque, Makadi Bay: a private transfer, a separate villa reception, dinners at Club 159, a reef a minute from the beach and an Egyptian massage.

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GR Stories | A bowl of golden risotto allo zafferano on a wooden table

GR Stories | Risotto allo Zafferano: Milan's Golden Risotto

A classic risotto allo zafferano: Carnaroli rice, meat broth, infused saffron and a cold-butter mantecatura, plus the alla milanese version and riso al salto.

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GR Stories: Behind the making

GR Stories | Student Experiences Abroad & Study Abroad Blog

GR Stories is a blog about living and studying abroad, written by a team from Italy, Pakistan and Turkey: recipes, schooling, life, experiences and travel, in English and Italian.

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The golden sand dunes of the Merzouga desert

GR Stories | The Golden Dunes of the Merzouga Desert

A birthday night at Merzouga Luxury Desert Camp: the long drive from Marrakech, quad biking on the Erg Chebbi dunes, an aperitif by the fire and a private dinner in the desert.

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GR Stories | The Marrakech Medina

GR Stories | The Marrakech Medina

A long weekend in the Marrakech medina: Riad Djebel and Riad K, Jemaa el-Fnaa and the souks, Bahia Palace, Majorelle, sunset at El Fenn and a surprise birthday dinner at Jad Mahal.

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GR Stories | The Marrakech Riad K

GR Stories | The Marrakech Riad K

A review of Riad K, a five-suite riad in the Marrakech medina: our huge top-floor suite K5, an almost private rooftop and fabulous, attentive staff.

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GR Stories | Las Vegas Under 21

GR Stories | Las Vegas Under 21

What Las Vegas is really like at 19: finding a hotel, walking through the casinos, the Strip and Fremont Street, shooting at Freedom Firearms and driving a Ferrari 488 Pista at Dream Racing.

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GR Stories | 3 Unexpected Things About European Universities

GR Stories | 3 Unexpected Things About European Universities

Discover 3 surprising aspects of European universities, from academic independence to exam-focused systems. A must-read for students planning to study abroad.

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A plate of classic insalata caprese with buffalo mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, and fresh basil on a white dish

GR Stories | Caprese: Italy's Simplest Salad, Done Right

When three ingredients are everything you have, each one must be worth the effort. A caprese demands the best tomato, the freshest mozzarella, and the restraint to leave it at that.

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GR Stories | Weekend Escape in the Langhe

GR Stories | Escape in the Langhe: Le Marne Relais

A first-hand guide to the Langhe's UNESCO wine landscape, including a candid review of Le Marne Relais and dinner at Al Gatto Verde in Agliano Terme.

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GR Stories | Fattoush: Lebanon's Bread Salad, Done Right

GR Stories | Fattoush: Lebanon's Bread Salad, Done Right

A Levantine bread salad that transforms day-old pita, fresh vegetables, and sumac into something deeply satisfying—practical enough for a student kitchen—ready in 20 minutes with no cooking and nothing you can't find at Carrefour.

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GR Stories | Tortilla Española: The Omelette Students Must Know

GR Stories | Tortilla Española: The Omelette Students Must Know

A foolproof tortilla española (Tortilla de patatas) recipe for international students. Five ingredients, one pan, and the slow patience that turns potato and egg into something extraordinary.

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GR Stories | How to Write the Perfect AI Prompt (And Actually Get What You Need)

How to Write the Perfect AI Prompt (And Actually Get What You Need)

Learning to write better prompts transforms how students use AI. Not through magic formulas, but through precision, context, and the willingness to iterate toward what you actually need.

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A homemade bibimbap bowl topped with a fried egg, sautéed vegetables and a spoonful of gochujang sauce

Bibimbap: How Students Can Cook Korea's Most Iconic Bowl in Under 40'

Easy Korean bibimbap recipe for international students. One bowl, cheap ingredients, ready in 40 minutes. Step-by-step guide with FAQ for first-time cooks.

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GR Stories | Renting in Turin: A Complete Guide for International Students

GR Stories | Renting in Turin: A Complete Guide for International Students

Discover everything you need to know about renting in Turin as an international student — from prices and neighbourhoods to agency fee scams to avoid.

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GR Stories | The Perfect Pasta al Sugo

GR Stories | The Perfect Spaghetti al Pomodoro

Discover how to make authentic spaghetti al pomodoro with a rich, slow-cooked tomato sauce, fresh basil, and simple Italian ingredients. A timeless pasta recipe perfected.

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Portofino

GR Stories | Weekend Escape in Portofino

Weekend guide from Turin to Portofino: scenic drives, hiking, where to stay in Rapallo, and Liguria travel tips.

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