This video is me spending some time in France with my family just before the IES Abroad Amsterdam program. I spent about a month there before heading over to the Netherlands. While there I mainly stayed in Paris and Dijon, France. I did some amazing exploring and sightseeing in both places. I was able to check out famous French landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Norte Dame, Sacre-Coeur de Montmartre, Moulin Rouge, the Louvre, and much more! I got the chance to eat some amazing food and delicious desserts!

Prior to coming to Cape Town, myself and others were conflicted on the impact of the water crisis in South Africa. I didn’t know anything other than what mainstream media in the States was broadcasting and an email from the IES Abroad program. The news would say, “Severe water crisis in South Africa…Dams nearly drained of fresh water.” So on and so forth. I couldn't help but think, should I really go abroad during this time of crisis?

One week to go—what’s changed?

It’s hard to believe that I’ll be heading back to the States in just one short week! On Saturday, August 4 I’ll be hopping on the plane for my 14-hour flight back to the East Coast.

It's been a wild ride these past five months and it’s crazy to think that after all this time, I’ll finally see my family, friends, home, kitties, and all that I left back in New Hampshire in February.

After one long plane journey, I am once again safely home! I have already written on ways to deal with leaving Berlin (although this was before I had left), but I think enough other people have covered the subject. Instead, now that I have had time to reflect, I want to explain some key differences between Germany (or at least, Berlin) and the U.S.

I cannot believe my eight weeks in Milan have come to an end. It seems like just yesterday I was getting ready to leave home for those eight weeks. I remember feeling so nervous because I had no idea what to expect. Reflecting on my time in Milan, I am honestly so happy I chose IES Abroad for my study abroad program and even happier that I chose Milan.

Here I am in my seat, hundreds of miles above the earth and sea on an airplane back to my home. Everything I did throughout my internship abroad is done, I took all I could fit with me in my suitcase, and I left some things behind. Now there's just me, my thoughts, and several more hours of travel.

Australia is amazing!!! I’ve been here for less than a week now, but I am thrilled to say I’ve found another home. Although it was tough saying goodbye, and the 24 hour flight...well that was certainly very tough, ever since I arrived in Australia I have loved every second in this foreign wonderland!

Most students traveled out of Shanghai for our 3-day weekend, last week. Two of my friends and I headed to Chengdu, the capital of the Sichuan province, known for extremely spicy food, lots of tea, and PANDAS!

We embarked on our journey Thursday night on an evening flight; Chengdu is three hours by plane. The impending tropical storm heading toward East China caused ourflight to be delayed until 11pm, when we finally boarded our flight. We were off to a little bit of a rocky start, but were excited for an action-packed weekend.