Hi everyone! 

Sorry it's been a while, I've been quite busy with schoolwork and because my parents have been in town! I was lucky enough to have them visit me all the way across the world. 

It’s only been a few short weeks since arriving in Morocco, and I can’t help but think of what season of “Parenthood” I would be on if it were available on Moroccan Netflix. Luckily, the views of Rabat, Meknes, and Fez are more than enough to keep me distracted.

I don't know how I got it in my head that I wouldn't experience much culture shock coming here. I suppose that idea stemmed from thinking that Paris is a very westernized area for Europe. It's not a giant change of scenery in the way it would have been if I went to live in a place like China or Africa. People here look similar, dress similar, do similar hobbies, and have similar things as people back home. As strange as it sounds, the similarities are what makes this adjustment even more difficult and frustrating.

School has always been an area where I excel. I like school, and learning, and connecting with my peers and professors. Going to school has always been an enjoyable experience, mostly because I was always comfortable. At Gettysburg College, where I am working on my Bachelors degree in the states, I am one of 2,700 students. Within the departments I major in, political science and public policy, I know all of my professors on a first name basis, and in most of my classes, that reach a cap of about 25 students, I know a majority of my peers.

From one student to the next, here are my tips for smoothly adjusting to life in Milan and learning to live as a local:

Guten Tag allerseits,

For my first four nights in Madrid, I stayed in a hostel in the city and I can’t recommend it enough. Have you heard of hostels? Maybe you have, but I’ll give a quick overview for those who haven’t: hostels are overnight accommodations where people (generally young adults) stay in rooms that are shared with other savvy travelers. Here are the six best things about staying in a hostel when you're traveling:

            Three weeks down, and one left to go on the mainland! Just about everything about Quito and mainland Ecuador has been an experience of a lifetime so far. Up to this point, the Wildlife Conservation & Management module has been involved more outside of the classroom than in, which has created an incredibly engaging educational opportunity. In the last week alone we took field trips to Fiorentina Rose Farm, the Guayllabamba Zoo, and Reserva Ecologica Antisana.

This weekend, almost all of us decided to venture out to the island of Elba, and it was possibly one of the best weekends of my life. The trip began with a two and a half hour bus ride to Piombino, an hour long ferry ride to Elba, and then a thrity minute bus ride to the hostel, Camping Lacona (highly recommend staying there). The first day we explored Lacona beach, and spent a significant amount of time floating in the Mediterranean Sea. The second day was even better than the first. Eight of us went kayaking and snorkeling.