Earlier this month, my luxury brand management class and I took a field trip to the tasty champagne region specifically to a small town called Epernay.  At the champagne region we learned all about how champagne is made and the history of the companies  we visited: Moët and Chandon and Charles Mignon.

Having been in Rome for over 3 weeks now, I think I can say I’ve settled in! I’m learning my way around the city, or at least around my neighborhood and the areas near IES Abroad. I feel more comfortable and it’s really hitting me that I’m living in Rome. Before studying abroad, the longest I’d ever been out of the US was around two weeks. So I feel like at this point I’ve stated transitioning out of the “traveler” mindset and into more of a settled resident.

Ah yes, the studying aspect of studying abroad. Despite all the fun I’m having, from time to time I do actually have school. In fact, amidst a sea of deadlines for projects and papers I’m choosing to spend my time reflecting on how culturally enlightening, and at times frustrating, attending a French school can be.

Miyajima Grand Hotel welcome sign

IES Abroad Rabat visited Erg Chebbi, one of two sand seas from the Sahara in Morocco. The neighboring town, Merzouga, is a tourist hub. During the summer, many tourists come to be buried under the sand, as it is believed to be a cure for arthritis. The sand dunes can only be accessed by 4x4, by camel, or by foot. Fun fact: Camels can run at up to 40 miles per hour. (Fortunately our camels only walked. But they are known to be petty animals.) There are two species of camels: Dromedary and Bactrian.

Hiroshima arrival

Well it's been awhile since my last check-in, so I guess I need to fill you in on what I've been up to these last few weeks. I've done a ton of traveling, and that's mostly been the highlights of each week. So buckle up, I'm going to go fast through each one.

There’s nothing like running from the subway just in time to catch the train to get your adrenaline pumping on a Saturday morning. A couple weekends ago, we went to Suzhou for a day.

My friend TJ came to visit last week. He called from the airport and told me he was tired but when I saw him, an hour or so after he arrived, he was bouncing with excitement. He had sprinted out the door of his Airbnb, his shorts matching his fishing hat (both camouflage), and straight into me, embracing me in a bear hug. 

“I’m so excited to be wearing shorts right now!” he exclaimed. An older lady walked by in a fur coat, her husband in a heavy black jacket, and gave us a curious look.