After I decided to study abroad, I was told time and time again that I would learn a lot about the United States and Americans while away from home. Sure enough, I have gained a completely new perspective on my home country. This has to do with my experiences with the people in the IES Abroad Vienna program itself, with the other girls in my apartment, with native Europeans, and with other Americans that I have met while traveling to other countries within Europe.

The wifi in my homestay hasn’t been working, so on Sunday I went to a local café to work on one of my final essays. Exams start this week and all of a sudden I have a million assignments, so I’ve had to find places to work other than my bedroom, where there is no longer functioning internet. When I arrived the café only had outdoor seating available, so I situated myself at a tiny table on the sidewalk decorated with a cactus in a flowerpot the size of an espresso cup and a shaker of yellow rock salt.

I never thought this semester would be come to an end and I don't want it to ever end. However, I now only have four days left in this beautiful city. January seems both so long ago in terms of how much I have done this semester, but it also feels like yesterday I was at orientation and meeting everyone for the first time. In looking back at this semester there are some things in Paris that I am going to miss and would like to share with you. So here are my some things I’ll miss about Paris

So last week I travelled even further around the world to Asia for a trip to Bali. And after nine days of excursions, rides with elephants, markets, infinity pools, beaches, restaurants, hikes, The Bliss pool, and a bout with Bali belly, I have finally returned to Sydney. This kind of vacation was definitely new to me. I have never stayed in a villa before and only dreamed about having a private pool. I’ve always loved monkeys but never thought one would climb on my back the same week I rode an elephant and tickled a tiger’s stomach.

Over Easter Weekend, many of my friends took their last opportunity to travel outside of Paris before the final weekend.  While searching for local activities, I decided to explore less-known places that might not have been on everyone’s list.  I took the time to wonder through smaller neighborhoods, and I road the metro for an hour to spend time in one of the biggest parks in Paris.

An excerpt from a journal entry written during my trip to Poland in honor of Holocaust Remembrance Day. 

It’s cold.

Not the kind of cold that gloves or a hat can fix. The kind of cold that shakes your entire body and that no number of layers can shield you from. It’s the sort of cold that pierces straight into your heart.

My first day in Poland.

I have been in Germany for a few months so far and have had the opportunity to travel a bit and I have definitely discovered some favorite foods. Here is a list of my favorite foods that I have tried and foods I definitely recommend you try.

Well it's been over a week since I returned to the good 'ole United States, and my biggest fear of reverse culture shock was the same for my culture shock on arriving to Italy, pretty much non-existent. I guess that's a good thing, but it also makes me think that I never really acclimated to the Italian culture in the first place. That, or I'm not easily shocked culturally. Nothing has surprised me thus far, but it is good to see a healthy amount of water in the toilet bowl again. Also nice to not have to pay for water.