Welcome to my IES Abroad Blog! Fortunately, you don’t need your passport, because I’m here to take you on a virtual trip around Europe! I think that’s my favorite part about technology: you can travel the world without having to physically be there (of course it’s 10x better if you’re there in person!) Social media, blogs, and books have always inspired me to travel as much as I can.

As someone who has barely left my hometown, I would say I'm not versed in international travel. Preparing for the Galapagos Islands has been a time of many firsts. My first time considering going abroad. My first time applying for a passport. My first time applying for a student visa (and failing). My first time buying a plane ticket, and, in four days, my first time on a plane going through TSA. 

Welcome to my blog! Here I will document my ecuadorian experience through pictures of various mediums (such as colored pencil, sharpie, or whatever crusty ink pen I can find at the bottom of my backpack).

Last week was a whirlwind of goodbyes, planes, trains and family reunions, so it took a while for it to sink in that my six weeks in Arles are finally over.

I’m headed to Quito, Ecuador, next week to begin my studies at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ). Much of my preparation has been fun and exciting—I’ve been gathering rain gear to prepare for Quito’s climate, emailing with my host, and selecting classes at USFQ—but I also devoted a surprising amount of time this summer to the more mundane task of getting my Ecuadorian student visa.

Skip the insta research – I did it for you.