Time Away in Tenerife

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Time Away in Tenerife

A few years back I needed some space to think - that happens with me from time to time.

Back then I was living abroad and had the finances and freedom to jet-set at a moment’s notice, I thought what better way to clear my head than a cheeky wee beach holiday? So, that’s exactly what I had in mind when I booked a week’s vacation on the island of Tenerife, in the Canary Islands.

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Seattle is So Much More Than Just Starbucks, But it's That, Too.

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Seattle is So Much More Than Just Starbucks, But it's That, Too.

Seattle, Washington was never on my list of must-see cities. In fact, when given the opportunity to visit it a while back, my chief - and possibly only - concern was getting to visit the original Starbucks.

I traveled there on a school trip and stayed for only a few days, but despite my short visit, I really feel like I got a feel of the city. And what a city it is!

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Postcards From Malaga and Granada

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Postcards From Malaga and Granada

A few years back, I was living, working, and studying abroad. I was getting my Master’s degree in Tourism Marketing a The University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland. During my program, I had the distinct pleasure of being of studying abroad - during my study abroad - in Spain for a short time.

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A Letter to Dreamers: Forget the Road Less Traveled and Blaze Your Own Path.

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A Letter to Dreamers: Forget the Road Less Traveled and Blaze Your Own Path.

Four years ago, I was beginning to make decisions that would change my life forever. Four years ago, today seemed like an eternity away. Four years ago, I had wide eyes and ambitions as great as the day is long. Four years ago, was my senior year in high school.

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"[Stockholm] Captures the Heart of Every Visitor..." Including Mine.

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"[Stockholm] Captures the Heart of Every Visitor..." Including Mine.

Well, that’s it then - time to close yet another chapter in the book that is my #studyabroad adventure. My flight leaving Stockholm departs in just under 2 hours and I’m pretty sad to say goodbye - Sweden’s been good to me.

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Through the Ups and Downs, I've Made it Past the Halfway Mark a Stronger and Happier Person, and I've Still Got a Long Way to Go.

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Through the Ups and Downs, I've Made it Past the Halfway Mark a Stronger and Happier Person, and I've Still Got a Long Way to Go.

I can't believe it’s already over a week into the month of April. Where on earth has the time gone? It’s been quite some time since my last update and so much has happened since then; I’m sure I’ll struggle to fit everything in (or perhaps more accurately just remember it all), but I'll give it a go.

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The Time I Spent Spring Break With My Best Friend in the French Riviera.

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The Time I Spent Spring Break With My Best Friend in the French Riviera.

It’s that time of year again, a favorite among students in American Universities. It’s March and that means: #SpringBreak2015. Every student feels a sense of entitlement to have a kick ass spring break. It’s one of the most #basic truths that we students hold to be self-evident - you work your butt off all year and then you take a week off somewhere, anywhere, and have an unforgettable time (or even sometimes un-remember-able time, depending on your plans).

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"Ireland is Where Strange Tales Begin, [but] Happy Endings are Possible."

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"Ireland is Where Strange Tales Begin, [but] Happy Endings are Possible."

Making last-minute decisions that require a large amount of commitment - a habit of mine that is going to get me into trouble one day, if it hasn’t already. Last Friday, at approximately 2:30 in the morning, I booked a weekend trip to Ireland and by 8 A.M., I was sitting on an Aer Lingus regional plane to Dublin.

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If I’ve Learned 1 Thing Over the Last Week and Beyond, it’s that Great Britain Really is Deserving of its Name.

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If I’ve Learned 1 Thing Over the Last Week and Beyond, it’s that Great Britain Really is Deserving of its Name.

The Goal? 10 countries in 5 months - all while living as a full-time student. My progress? Well, as of this week I can happily report that I am 2 countries closer to my goal - bringing my grand total to a whopping 3. It’s not much, but I’ve got time.

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"You Only [Study Abroad] Once, But if You Do it Right, Once is Enough."

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"You Only [Study Abroad] Once, But if You Do it Right, Once is Enough."

So I've been here a little under a month, now what?

I've finally reached the point where the culture shock has subsided, my classes are starting to make sense, and I have comfortably settled into somewhat of a routine. It's getting easier for me here and that's a good feeling.

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Because Even in Scotland, it Can't Rain Forever.

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Because Even in Scotland, it Can't Rain Forever.

They warn you that this feeling is coming. "It isn't just a vacation in Europe for a semester", they say, "you will experience a time when the fun stops and the culture-shock sets in" (pfft, what do they know anyway, right? I know myself and I'll be having too much fun to notice... or so I've been telling myself for months now).

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"Travel is More Than The Seeing of Sights..."

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"Travel is More Than The Seeing of Sights..."

From the very moment that I stepped off of that plane, I knew I made the right choice in choosing Scotland for #studyabroad adventure. I can't explain the feeling, but something about this place just feels right. Maybe it's the overwhelmingly sweet, kind and helpful people (an absolute 360-degree flip from what I'm used to). Or maybe it's the utterly breathtaking scenery in every direction all around me.

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I Never Knew that I Could Feel Homesick Before I Have Even Left, Especially for a Place that Isn't Actually My Home.

/ roger williams un/
I Never Knew that I Could Feel Homesick Before I Have Even Left, Especially for a Place that Isn't Actually My Home.

It's after 3 A.M. during finals week. When you consider the amount of hours I've dedicated to completing work over the last 14 days and the lack of proper nutrition or sleep I've gotten lately (things not unfamiliar to any college student this time of year), it'd be expected that I'd be passed out from a crippling combo of exhaustion, stress, dehydration and caffeine withdrawal by now, but alas I'm wide awake.

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