A couple of weeks ago, we traveled to the Amazon for a few days. It was an incredible experience. If you ever have the time or means to stay in the deep Amazon for several days, I recommend it. The Amazon should definitely have a top place on someone’s travel bucket list.

There are many things that start to become apparent after living on the Galápagos for three months. The Galápagos, and even Ecuador, paints itself to be “pristine” and the paradise that tourists are looking to visit. Let’s be real, I fell into the marketing scheme early on – how can you not when the phrases “Ecuador Loves Life” is painted everywhere?

The more comfortable I got with verbalizing my sexuality as a young teenager, first identifying as bisexual and later as gay, I would always hear the phrase "being gay doesn't define who you are!" I loved that phrase and I tried to let it empower me.

I know that once I leave in a month, French food will be the first thing I'll be pining for.

If you’re not familiar with the tutorial system at Oxford, here’s a quick synopsis: we have tons of readings and a paper due every week, but the only time we actually have to be anywhere is a one-hour session with our tutor to discuss all of our work, at the end of each week. Sounds easy enough, right?

Last weekend I took a trip to Granada and I instantly fell in love with the city. The Sierra Nevada Mountains reminded me of home. The small, white, picturesque houses with blue accents that covered the hills were absolutely beautiful. The Moroccan-style architecture was fascinating and the free tapas were just a bonus! If you have a chance while you're abroad, I highly recommend traveling outside of Catalonia to explore other parts of Spain.

Maria is a teacher.

I learned from her by teaching beside her. Each Tuesday and Thursday morning I would come by her side at a gymnasium (school for Austrians from 10-years-old to 18-years-olds) in the 18^th district of Vienna, as an English teacher intern.

This woman is steady. If the classroom is a harbor, all the little boats are tied tightly up at their docks, and the wind is calm. Maria is head ship. She is stern, untroubled, and smooth in her movements throughout the day. It is good to be in her sound wake.

During my fall break in the middle of October, I went through the United Kingdom with some friends. One of our stops was Edinburgh, Scotland where there was plenty to explore. Near the Royal Mile in the city’s center rests Arthur’s Seat. The hike up to the top only takes an hour at the absolute most. Here one can experience gorgeous views over the capital of Scotland.