Unfortunately, this topic is kind of heavy. But i'd be remiss if I didn't share my thoughts and feelings on this unique experience that my friends and I are having whilst living abroad. Since I've been living in London, there has been a lot going on over in the USA, to say the least. Mainly the political unrest regarding the overturning of Roe v. Wade, a law protecting women's rights to abortion federally, as well as debate on gun laws, as there have been multiple mass shootings, especially on the 4th of July.

Alright, we've gotta keep it real here. Studying abroad is AMAZING, and so much fun. It's a HUGE learning experience, especially when you start traveling, experiencing new places and cultures, and doing things on your own. I've had a blast so far in London (more on my overall experience in another blog) but let me tell you, it has not come without a few mishaps and misadventures. I figured I'd share them, just in case anybody reading can learn from my mistakes, or maybe just needs a good laugh.

Covid Abroad - Conversations with Myself

Well, this is it. The IES Abroad school year officially came to an end almost two weeks ago. My fellow IES Abroad classmates have been gradually filtering out of our shared apartment building, and now my last few weeks in Buenos Aires are staring me in the face. 

It’s time to say goodbye.  

For the last weekend of my IES Abroad trip, my roommates and I took the opportunity to travel to Prague, Czech Republic. We left Friday, July 1, and left Sunday, July 3. Luckily, one of my roommates has a relative in Prague that gave us a place to stay with two adorable cats! 

After over a month of being abroad, I’ve begun to reflect on the things about Italy that I love and will miss when I leave in a month or so, versus the things that I miss about home that I can’t wait to return to. Family and friends are the obvious answers, so while yes, I miss them, I have not included them in my list. Many of these things I love or I miss are unexpected—I didn’t anticipate these things having such a big impact on my life one way or another.

(Credit to John Muir for the title quote, which is worth reading in its full length.)

Many people who have been to France know about the Château de Versailles, an expansive 17th-century palace just outside of Paris.  It is a beautiful place to spend the day and one of my favorite destinations in and around Paris.  However, it begs the question: Where did all of the French kings live before Louis XIV commissioned Versailles?  Some of them lived in the centrally-located Louvre or the barren Château de Vincennes, but their countryside getaway of choice was the Château de Fontainebleau.