Welcome! Bienvenue! Dobro pozhalovat!

For five years, wanderlust has lead me from the halls of my Midwestern state university across the globe, allowing me to see the great sites of antiquity and some modern miracles in Europe, the Middle East, Australia, and beyond. I met fascinating people, ate fabulous dishes, modeled new fashions, and entirely changed my perspective. My international education brought me to new levels of language learning and knowledge of world affairs, which I applied in my Master’s program at the University of Cambridge.

Although this nomadic lifestyle seemed normal to me, I recall being questioned by friends and relatives at home about why I chose to go abroad. When the destination was a popular choice — London, Paris, Rome — few would raise any objections; when I was venturing further afield — Romania, or Israel — it seemed like everyone had criticisms. Although I occasionally heard friends say how foolish I was for visiting these places, I was more taken aback by the comments about my bravery — choosing to leave behind what was comfortable in favor of the unknown. I have never felt particularly brave, but because the questions kept coming, it seemed that the decision to study abroad is one that requires more information and insight than most university students are provided with.

This blog is meant to be a starting point for anyone considering an overseas addition to their college education. Unlike most authors of travel books, my university days are barely behind me — I know that while museums and tourist attractions are important for student travelers, so are nightlife and student activities; I recognize that many students who are excited by international travel are also put off by the high costs it can incur; and I understand that sometimes it is difficult to explain to those close to you — family, friends, significant others — why on earth you would choose to spend a year on the opposite side of the planet.

I hope you enjoy. Please feel free to contact me for any questions, comments, or suggestions for future posts. Ultimately, this is a forum for you, the aspiring student abroad, to hear from someone a little older (and, hopefully, wiser) about the life-changing decision to travel internationally. Perhaps with some perspective studying abroad will seem like a less daunting.