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.

So two weeks ago the crew and I went on our first true Chilean Adventure. It’s a result of a lot of planning and contributions from various group members. Niko found flight tickets for a solid $55, Elaine found the fees for most of our sightseeing locations, I found a cool little hostel and we were all excited to leave unchaperoned….oh yea.

*How has it been almost two months? *We only have 2 months here and we're home. *Wow, time flies.  I haven't been homesick too much but I do think of home when it's time for food.  When it comes to Chipotle, Chick-fil-a, and some bad Chinese food, I cry.  Not necessarily saying Austria/European food is bad but I can garuntee you will miss those food living here.  I finalized all of my travel plans for the semester  and I will be going to Rome, Italy & Paris, France & Geneva, Switzerland.

Before you go on reading this, just stop for a second and think with me about this: what does family mean to you? What does it truly represent and how does it impact and influence your life?

During the first week of our semester break here in New Zealand, IES Auckland took us on an adventure in Rarotonga, in the Cook Islands.