As I turned the corner, there he sat. His dead stare rendered me unable to move, unable to breathe. I froze as I tried to remember what the guide instructed us to do in this situation. I remembered nothing — my mind was as empty as the space between us. I noticed another set of […]
Visiting Madrid & Beyond
Partying, siestas and sun…my three favorite things about Spain, the third-most visited country in the world. A lot of people ask me where to stay, when to go and what to do in Spain, so here are my top tips to enjoy the best of the bustling capital and this beautiful country… To get your bearings, do […]
How to Survive Your First Weeks Abroad
The recent influx of mesmerizing and breath-taking photos on social media news-feeds everywhere can only mean one thing: students from all over the world are beginning their fall semesters abroad. I’ve already joked with one of my friends currently in Copenhagen that I may have to temporarily “unfollow” her for the next four months so […]
From Hosts to Family. Why You Should Choose a Homestay.
Whether you’re assigned to a host family or choose to live with one during your time abroad, interacting with a host family can be the most culturally enriching and rewarding part of your time abroad. Especially if it is your first time in a new country, away from home in general, or first time speaking […]
How the People You Meet Abroad Make a “Trip” Into an “Experience”
When you decide to study abroad, you will likely be going on your journey alone. This fact resounded through my brain as I hugged my friends and family goodbye at the airport and proceeded down the terminal. I kept looking back and waving until they were out of sight. It was then that it […]
How to Leave the Country Without Actually Leaving the Country
Firstly, Puerto Rico is not a country. I have to get that out of the way in order to write this calmly and to explain the unique intrinsic character of this United States territory, which makes it the subject of this article and an ideal travel destination. Located in the northern Caribbean Sea, officially known […]
City Life: Metro “Performers”
The Metro “Performers” Varying looks of disinterest punctuate my journey across town on a busy Thursday afternoon as Celine Dion (not my choice) filters down the metro carriage. The player of this rousing classic is a South American man, dressed entirely in black, holding his panpipes to his mouth as if they were giving him oxygen […]
Surviving Long Haul Flights
Fear of Flying? Read on for tips to help alleviate your worries. Flying is bad for you. That’s what we’ve all been coached to believe, especially in recent months, as the cases of MH17, MH370 and the German wings catastrophe “prove”. Before that, it was 9/11, bird flu and deep vein thrombosis. If flying is more […]
The Untold Story of Africa
A lot of people living in Europe, North and South America, Asia, The Middle East and The Oceanic countries that have no first-hand experience with Africa rely on international headlines from news agencies to get a glimpse of what happens in Africa. Truthfully speaking, most international news agencies across the globe paint Africa in a […]
Why You Should Journal While Abroad
If I had to choose one piece of advice to share with those preparing to study abroad, I wouldn’t have to give it a second thought: keep a journal. Here are just some of the reasons why: It helps you capture the memories. If I have heard it once, I have heard it a […]