Books are filled with layers, plot twists, and chapters that have readers eagerly turning pages while also reminiscing the delicately crafted adventures of previous chapters. Every page of a book is a new day, a new thought, and a new idea that we carry with us as words continue to fly off the page. As such, when it was time to say goodbye to the beautiful rolling hills of Cumbaya and to begin a new chapter on the sandy shores of San Cristóbal, I was filled with a sense of excitement and retrospection.

One of my recent solutions to homesickness has been baking. I wanted to start with my favorite cookies to bake at home, oatmeal M&M cookies from a recipe my Aunt gave me for my third birthday. This summer at home, I got in the habit of baking a new batch every few weeks and sticking a large Tupperware in the freezer for future lunches, snacks, and desserts. My craving for homemade, American-style cookies coincided with a plan to make dinner for my host-family from the taco mix my mom sent me. And thus, I embarked on a new adventure.

Imagine you’re standing at the intersection of a crowded marketplace, the streets sheltered by a combination of wooden roofs, colorful blankets, and repurposed sheets, highlighted by bursts of sunlight peeping through above your head. 

Last week, I ventured out to Normandy with other IES Abroad students for IES’s Normandy trip. I highly suggest attending this trip! Not only did I get the chance to meet more IES Abroad students, but it was also interesting to learn about what happened on Normandy’s beaches during WWII.

When I first came to New Zealand, I thought that since everyone spoke English, I would have no problem talking and understanding people (after all, I speak English too!). But within my first week, I had someone tell me “yeah, yeah nah, she’ll be right, mate,” (which at the time confused the heck out of me) and since then, I’ve tried, failed, and (somewhat) succeeded to understand the New Zealand accent and vernacular.

The Amalfi Coast is a breathtakingly stunning stretch of Mediterranean land along the southern coastline of Italy. The picturesque towns and villages along the coast are what makes this a popular tourist destination. I personally can vouch for its charm and undisputable natural beauty. I highly recommend a weekend trip!

Last night, October 12^th, Japan experienced the worst typhoon to hit the country in almost 60 years. Many cities and neighborhoods in the Kanto and Tohoku regions suffered great damage, with multiple people reported dead or missing. Millions of people across dozens of prefectures were issued evacuation advisories ahead of harsh winds, flooding rivers, and landslides. This is the story told from the perspective of one student in a small apartment just outside of Tokyo who’s had a lot of thoughts about his first typhoon experience.

During my study abroad journey, I have become a blogger, aspiring Instagram guru, and olive oil connoisseur. None of these titles were anticipated evolutions and only one is something that I would have believed could be me a year ago. 

I’ll let you in on a secret: I’m writing this blog from a Starbucks.

In any new environment, safety is my #1 priority and I'm glad that with IES Abroad Quito the safety of all students is taken very seriously. I have come to realize that here in Quito, most people on the streets or those who take the bus are not actively looking to steal or cause harm towards anyone. Additionally, while traveling through different provinces, I found it necessary to be aware of my surroundings because it is sometimes obvious I am a foreigner.