Pichincha is a large mountain/volcano to the west of Quito. There are two peaks, Guagua Pichincha and Rucu Pichincha. Guagua means baby or child in Quechua, an indigenous language in Ecuador. Guagua Pichincha is the volcano part of the mountain. It is an active volcano, but its name is a reference to the fact that it really only lets out small puffs of ash. However, in '99 there was a big eruption that let out a huge amount of ash. 

This past month after island hopping was quite emotional. Considering that we were over halfway done with our program, still had classes, and wanted to make the most of everyday, it was hard to come to the realization that we actually were heading to the point to go home…Thankfully, I enjoyed these last four weeks with a lot of outdoors activities, and I even was able to land a volunteer research opportunity. 

On the night of November 13, a few friends and I were several feet deep into the earth, enjoying dinner, in an Italian wine cave in Florence. No wifi, no service, and no connection to the world beyond what we could see in front of us, we were happily absorbed in our immediate atmosphere. A short while later, heavy with pasta and warm with wine and good company, we emerged from the cellar in high, light-hearted spirits. It was hard to think of anything that could rupture our bubble.

At each change in our lives, we subconsciously adopt a perspective, known to some as “graduation goggles”, where nostalgia creeps on you and forces you to see everything you are about to leave in a brighter light than usual.

Tokyo Pt. 3: My #1 Favorite Japanese Experience

Yesterday we had our first classmate leave for home. It’s really incredible how quickly I went from seeing him every day, traveling with him, and then all of a sudden he’s gone. Before he left, we all took turns going around the table, talking about the many memories we had made together, and some of our favorite moments. The whole thing was a great send off, in my view, and at least two people cried. It’s all a little heartbreaking, especially since I know this will be happening with everyone in our program in exactly a week from today!

Dance has always been a part of my life in some way, shape, or form. When I was younger, I took ballet classes; in college, I learned Latin and Swing dancing, and took an adult ballet class. In Vienna, I knew that I would be able to attend one ball - which meant learning how to ballroom dance. So, I signed up for a ballroom class at a Tanzschule (dance school) through the Vienna Sports University.

Dear London, 

There are so many things that I could say to you in this letter...but for now I would just like to say thank you. 

Thank you for being such an amazing city.

Thank you for having so many amazing sights to see, museums to visit, and activities to take part in. 

Thank you for being a city of tea drinkers (I'm not much of a coffee person)

and for being a city where people have scones with their tea. 

Today I am leaving this incredible country that I have been fortunate enough to spend the past semester in. I can honestly say that I love Chile and I know that I will be returning to this beautiful place. I didn't realize how insane this experience had been until I stepped floor onto the 62nd floor of the Costanera center, looked out on to Santiago and felt my chest grow heavy and my eyes start to water. I couldn't believe I was actually bringing and end to this journey.

How lucky am I to study in a school that is located directly across from the Castel Sant’Angelo? A program that is five minutes away from the Vatican, and approximately ten minutes away from the Pantheon?