Travelling alone can be terrifying. You may find yourself in a country where you don't speak the language and you have to figure everything out by yourself. I was very nervous when I decided to book a solo trip to Scotland. This would be the first time I had ever gone somewhere completely alone. But, it was more than I could have ever hoped for. I was able to do and go to all the places I wanted to go without having to confer with someone else. And it opened up the opportunity for me to make some new friends!

The flashing lights, the explosive booming noises, the screaming adoring fans, these are all what make a concert memorable. Before coming abroad, I kept thinking about experiences I wanted to enjoy abroad. I saw that some of my favorite artists were performing in Paris and I knew I had to go. Since my time here in Paris, I have been to 4 concerts and I still have two more in December!

I am back in the big state of Texas for the holiday break. Has the change been difficult? In some ways, yes, but in others, no. The jet lag absolutely sucks (there's no escaping it). But, I know I'll adjust soon. I am driving a car again, which seems inefficient and environmentally unfriendly compared to the extensive bus, train, and ferry system in Auckland. I do miss my favorite New Zealand foods (meat pies, fish and chips, and hokey pokey ice cream!). Still, I am so excited to be eating good Tex-Mex and going to my favorite restaurants again.

If you’re going to be studying or visiting Paris, then you’re going to need to learn how to use the metro! The metro is the public transportation system used by everyone. It is the easiest way to get around Paris. Down below will explain everything you need to know in order to take the metro!

1. Locating the metro: In order to find the metro entrance you will see 3 different signs: either a red sign that says Metro, a yellow M in a circle, or the word Metropolitan in a cool font.

After 3 and a half months abroad, my semester has come to an end. As sad as it was to leave Milan where I called home for a little over 3 months, it is nice to be home. I wouldn’t have changed my study abroad experience for the world but to be home and see my friends and family is priceless. Now that I have been back in the states for a few days and have had a little time to digest my semester, I’d like to share my overall experience living in Milan, Italy.

I have found somewhere between 20 and 30 four-leaf clovers in my life. 

It started just before my teenage years. I found seven of them in one summer, and then none for the next seven years. I thought of it as a year of luck for each clover. Then, once the ratio of clovers to years unbalanced itself, I found yet another.

The bulk of my four-leaf clover findings occurred in the last two years. Although many have been scattered across the boroughs of Philadelphia, most have appeared in Gettysburg. 

As I say my goodbyes to Barcelona and look forward to going home, I have been thinking of all of the little things that I wish I had known before my study abroad semester. In this blog post, I have just ten tips and tricks that I recommend after the past three and a half months in Barcelona. Of course, I am extremely sad to leave, but I am getting excited to go home and see my family, friends, dogs, and my bed!

Germany is known for its gorgeous, festive Christmas Markets. Sights and smells flood the senses: mulled wine (Glühwein), Christmas spices, roasted nuts, and warm crepes, families and couples wrapped up in scarves and hats, twinkling lights and log cabin style stalls filled with cookies, jewelry, ornaments, cheeses, sausages, bratwurst, and so many more delicious and cozy snacks.