This blog may be posted a little late because of some technical difficulties, but these pictures represent the first crazy week of my semester abroad! From the flight in over the beautiful Andes, to the mini trip we went on during the first weekend, it has all been incredible. We talked a lot about culture shock in orientation, and also a lot about the potential dangers here (2 students got their Iphones stolen within the first week), but overall it hasn't been too hard.

I’ve been here for over a month.  My day-to-day routine is relatively well-established, and I know my way around enough to leave google maps in my pocket (sometimes).  I am living an ordinary life among the Londoners themselves, and patterns about the locals have emerged. 

Yes I know its February, but according to the lunar Chinese calendar, 2016 began on February 8^th. Chinese New Year is a Chinese festival known around the world for a variety of reasons. The festival, also known as Spring Festival or 春节, runs from the first new moon of the lunar calendar until the Lantern Festival which occurs on the 15^th day of the first month. Festival traditions typically revolve around family and include things such as large meals, gifts, and lots and lots of fireworks.

The first week in Rome has been absolutely incredible. Our apartment is way nicer and larger than I ever expected and the location is incredible. The most incredible thing is walking out of the apartment and seeing the Tiber river and all of these gorgeous buildings all around me. I could not have asked for a more amazing city to visit.

Hello, dear readers! I meant to post this a few days ago, but an impromptu trip to Copenhagen delayed the post due to my lack of a computer for the weekend.

I have now been living (not just vacationing) in France for almost a month! The end of this week which will mark my one month anniversary with Nice. It will also bring new experiences as I will be leaving for another city, country, even continent!