Departure Thoughts

As I sit here at Gate M24 in Chicago’s O’Hare airport, I am graced by the sunlight that shines forcefully through the clouded windowpanes displaying the organized chaos that litters the tarmac. My day was filled with last minute packing, my last homemade matcha latte, a smooth little road trip to the Windy City with …

First Field Trip Weekend

Culinary Experience in Bologna My first weekend in Milano began by visiting the FICA center (the worlds largest food park) to take a pizza-making class. Once entering FICA I soon learned why it was the worlds largest food park as there was attractions that looked like food, everywhere!! After walking around FICA our group landed …

The Peak District

I felt a little over-citied last week. Don’t get me wrong, Chester was lovely, the football match in Manchester the weekend before was memorable, and there’s always something to do in Liverpool’s City Centre, but I’m really a country girl at heart. I knew that moving to a lively city would be a change from …

Plot Twist!

Three days ago, I received a call from my SIT admissions counselor. “AnnaLeah, I’m gonna ask you to sit down,” she instructed me over the phone. “I have some news that will shake your world.” This wasn’t the first time I had talked with my admissions counselor. She had been supportive in my application and …

My First Week in Milano

Pizza, shopping, and more pizza After flying for nearly ten hours I found myself heading to my beautiful Residential Living center (it even has a pool) and settling in to my single studio room.The first night of my arrival the staff took us out to a pizza ristorante where I ordered my first authentic Italian …

A Day in Chester

The more time I spend in Liverpool, the more I realize how much there is to see and discover right here! Fellow classmates, local Liverpudlians, and other Brits are happy to suggest the best pubs, museums, parks, and must-see streets to explore in Liverpool and around the UK. I’ve started a bucket list. It expands …

Horses, Pizza, and Hikes.

Quote of the week: “Justice too long delayed is justice denied.” -Martin Luther King Jr. Becoming more familiar with a place makes everything feel so much better. From being more comfortable with the normal things in a city and also realizing that some things, RTD (Regional Transportation District), does not always work the way you …

New City, New Viewpoints, New Experiences

Quote of the week: “If you can imagine it, you can achieve it. If you can dream it, you can become it.” – William Arthur Ward Studying abroad is something that I have always wanted to do. The thrill of being somewhere new, experiencing a culture and city has its way of growing and challenging …

Looking Back

I returned home not long ago and I have been holding off on this post for a long time. I really contemplated what I should talk about and what to include. In all honesty, I am still not exactly sure. There are a lot of different emotions that I’ve experienced since returning home and still …

Chapter 7: Madrid!

song: put your records on Well, friends, time is flying. I hope this season is treating you well. Today is the day that I share about my trip to Madrid, the lovely capital of Spain.  On a hazy warm morning, we boarded a sleek silver train to Madrid. After about seven hours, we hopped off …