Before leaving to study abroad you go through multiple orientations that try to prepare you as best they can for the unknown and unpredictable. You sit through sessions on dealing with culture shock, nerves, and homesickness and what you can do to get through all those.

I don't think you can officially be integrated into the study abroad experience until you've completely exhausted and confused at least two, and in my case three, languages that are spoken in that country.

            After eight hours of a plane ride to Coca, a bus ride, a boat ride down the Rio Napo, a truck ride, and another boat ride down the Rio Tiputini we arrived at Tiputini Biodiversity Station in the Amazon. Parque Nacional Yasuní, where TBS is located, contains the highest level of biodiversity per hectare in the world! We were fortunate enough to be able to spend an entire week at the research station to observe this ecosystem and learn all about its complexity.

Most teenagers I knew growing up couldn’t wait to move out of Redgranite, Wisconsin. This little village of 2,000 people where the biggest attraction is a quarry, surrounded by a street with five bars, two bowling alleys, and cornfields as far as the eye can see. Most teenagers in small towns around the States can relate, I’m sure. You hate the city that you live in.

I visited Amalfi for the first time cruising down 11th Ave. I was fixated, watching the water of the Hudson make the evening sky's reflection dance, so the nouns and verbs of my Aunt would go in one ear and out the other. However, something stuck: "Amalfi". I thought to myself, "that sounds Italian," considering we'd been talking about my future life in Italy. I asked about Amalfi. "I've always wanted to go visit the Amalfi Coast!

Hi Everyone!

Sorry it’s been a while, I’ve been busy trying to prepare for my spring break excursion to Singapore and Japan! Although I have yet to spend a full day in Japan, I can give you a quick low down on my 12 hour stay in Singapore.