I think the best way to start off this blog is to start off at Disney World!

          I know. You're probably thoroughly confused. But also, if you already knew me really well, you'd know that I absolutely love Disney (my parents met while working there, I was snuggled in the womb while my mom finished working there)... But...

          Yeah. Let me explain.

As I prepare to leave for Rome, I’m thinking about all that I gained during my previous study abroad experience. Over the summer, I worked and studied in London, England, and I learned so much.

The whole summer I’ve been waiting for this moment.

“You must be so excited!” everyone has been saying for months. “But what are you most excited about?” they usually follow up with.

I’m most excited to be somewhere completely new. I’m most excited to experience new things and meet new people. I’m most excited to get a break after a long summer filled with lots of work and very little play. After bartending all summer, I’m excited to be on the other side for a change.

I am a very last minute person. My untimely attribute is very apparent now, as I’m writing my first blog post on my flight from Washington D.C. to Frankfurt, Germany where I will begin my abroad experience. To say I’m excited is an understatement. Even before I applied to university, I daydreamed about the countless adventures that I would embark on during a study abroad semester in college. Now, here I am, taking off to explore a new continent, foster new friendships, and immerse myself in all that is Barcelona, Spain. 

From her list of 25 tips of what to expect in Italy, to celebrating International Women’s Day and participating in the Stramilano, her first half-marathon, we're pleased to announce that Abigail Grinberg is our 2016-17 Blogger of the Year! Read on to learn more about Abby's experience blogging abroad. 

IES Abroad: Tell us a bit about yourself and your study abroad blog.

我终于来中国啦！I'm finally in China!

            The trip is over and the memories are fading away too quickly. When I recall my time in Chile, it sometimes feels as though the trip lasted only about a week or two. Other times it feels as distant as a vivid dream. Pictures are helpful, as are the journal entries in which I recorded some of my experiences in Chile, for recalling the experience. Although much of the experience already feels distant, the most enjoyable experiences remain vivid.