The next day we took a day trip to Otaru by train. Otaru is a port city about an hour away from Sapporo and it is famous for its canal, glassworks, and sweets! The view on the way there was really refreshing and nice as it passed by the ocean. Since Otaru was next to the ocean, it was a must to eat sushi. We went to a place that my friend recommended and oh my lord the sushi was so tasty! It was comparable to the one I ate at Tsukiji fish market a while back! Then, we walked to a street that is known for its glassworks and sweets!

Golden week usually occurs from the end of April to the beginning of May. It is a cluster of Japanese holidays so most Japanese workers and students get the week off. It is pretty much comparable to spring break in the United States. This is usually the time where most people go travelling, visiting near and far places, meeting up with friends, and possibly going abroad. Most IES Abroad students went to Osaka and Kyoto, while a few others went to Korea for the week.

With only a few weeks left in Argentina (I really can’t wrap my head around this fact), I decided to take advantage of a long weekend with my roommate Hanna and head to Bariloche. Known for chocolate, ice cream, and beautiful views I knew that Bariloche and I would get along well. After continuously being in a city for 3 months, I was ready to get some much-needed fresh air and time away from the hustle and bustle.  

Hello everyone!

Everyone in IES Abroad is gone, and I await to start my summer of more studying and travel. Although my time in Ireland will continue, I honestly do not think it can be the same, and a skype call this morning proved that. Usually when I’m on the exercycle, I like to be quiet and try to keep my sweat to myself; however, today, I filled the  room singing everything from Believe by Cher to I’m Here Without You Baby by Three doors down. Pretty much all the classics. But no matter how hard I sang, I realized it would not bring Batool back.

Prague was the number one spot on my list. That is, my list of cities I hoped to visit while abroad. Although the list was very long and modified many times, there was one bullet point that remained in the number one spot: Prague.  Friends had told me how beautiful the city was and how much fun they had while they were there.  When my friend and I found cheap travel tickets, we knew we had no choice but to go.

"So, how was your trip to Barcelona...?"

As a senior in high school deciding where to apply for my undergraduate education, I scrutinized the study abroad offerings more than I did the housing options or meal plans. The study abroad experience has always been part of my college vision and five months later, I am beyond thrilled I was able to call Barcelona home during my semester abroad.

This past week I had the privilege of showing my sister around Freiburg. She visited over Germany's Ascension Day break for 6 days. It was so much fun to have her here because I missed her but also because it gave me a chance to realize how much Freiburg has become my home.

Finally it's time to leave for London! I am so excited to start my internship…and scared I'll fail at something during my internship. That is nothing new though. I am currently writing from Atlanta where I am waiting for my second flight that will take me across the pond. For those traveling and packing, I wanted to share some advice.

Oh! I forgot to mention my little gator friend Tic will be joining me on my trip! He likes to be in my pictures so be on the lookout for him!