California has been a land of dreams for many years. From the lights of Hollywood to the fields of the San Joaquin Valley, California remains a diverse place of opportunity. However, the state has been in an extreme drought for several years. Last year, in the winter of 2017, California received enough rainfall to pull…
So… You Want to Study Abroad?
If you’ve found this article, you’re probably thinking of studying abroad at some point or have studied abroad and are looking to see if I know what I’m talking about. I may only be a self-proclaimed expert of studying abroad, but I can guarantee that I’ll be honest with you. Studying abroad has become extremely…
Rome in 48 Hours
Rome has been the center of the Catholic Church for thousands of years and was once the center of the Holy Roman Empire too. With such a rich past, it’s no wonder that the city is chock-full of important historical sites and buildings. There is so much to see and do in the city and…
The Top 4 Things to do in Heidelberg
I’ll admit it; this quaint little German town has stolen a piece of my heart after living here. There’s just something about the atmosphere and culture of the town that makes me want to move here permanently. Although I won’t be planting my roots here, I’ve learned the ins and outs of how to experience…
What Living in an “Unfriendly Country” Taught Me
When you think of Germany, three things usually come to mind: World War II, beer, and unfriendly people. There is no disagreeing with the fact that the rest of the world generally views Germans as unfriendly, business-like people. After living here for two semesters, I can agree. Most Germans will not be overly friendly and…
Let it Snow!
January 1998. The last and only time I have ever lived in the snow. Sure, I’ve been to the snow dozens of times and even been in snowstorms. But today, my 18 year streak finally ended! I’ve been living in Heidelberg for the past five months and have yet to experience a good snowstorm. Not…
Reflecting on My First Semester Abroad
It’s been a long three months. 93 days to be specific. 93 days since I packed up my life and moved 7,000 miles away to the beautiful town of Heidelberg, Germany. Before stepping on the plane, I thought it was going to be the longest three months of my life. In some ways, it was.…
A Day Trip to Ireland’s Cliffs of Moher
It’s no secret that I absolutely love Ireland. I visited the country for the first time recently and fell in love with it. The people are friendly, the country is beautiful, and the beer is delicious. What isn’t to love about it? My travel buddy Laura and I had arranged our own trip to Ireland…
How NOT to See Vienna
This past week I have been in Austria with my class for an Educational Field Trip. The “educational” title is optional. I had been to Vienna once before but never left the train station so I was unsure of what to expect. Basically, I was not looking forward to being surrounded by the same people…