“So which is better?”

I’ve gotten this question quite a bit in the past few weeks as I wrap up my semester in Philadelphia. Many have wondered: do you like Philadelphia, PA or Holland, MI better? It’s a trick question because I’ve quickly realized I don’t have an answer. The city is incredible with too much to do. If …

Traveling in Nepal: Buses, Motorbikes and Frogger

I don’t know if you’ve ever heard about the game frogger, but crossing the streets of Nepal often feels like I am the frog in that game. Traveling here is quite the adventure. If there are road rules, people don’t follow them. Stop lights and stop signs don’t really exist. Well, there are some stop …

Celebrating My Birthday Abroad

In all honesty, I’ve never really liked where my birthday is placed in the year. I grew up moving around a lot, and September 22nd was always just way too soon in the academic year. When I’d go to a new school, it was nearly guaranteed that it’d be forgotten just because, unless I went …

New Place, New Perspective

A good friend of mine once told me a phrase her dad always use to tell her, and it goes like this: “New place, new perspective”. This couldn’t be more true, especially when the new place is in a new country, culture and language. Getting away from home is a great way to get a …

The “Copy Me Weekend”

Some weekends just go above-and-beyond all expectations, and this past weekend was one of them. I think what made it so noteworthy was that every part of it just shouted Philadelphia, due to a strong sense of Philly-ness about it. So I give to you the “Copy Me Weekend,” a weekend that you, too, can …

Hello Nepal and My Sweet Host Family

During these past few weeks, I have transitioned from Chile to Nepal. While some parts of transitioning are challenging, I have had an amazing experience. I live with my host dad and his mom who are Newari, and my host mom who is Japanese. I have two host siblings, a little sister who is four, …

Using Time Abroad to Live Your Dreams

So if you know me, you probably know that I love archaeology, particularly Latin American archaeology. That’s what I want to go on to study once I graduate. If you know West Michigan, you probably know that there’s not a whole lot of Latin American archaeology going on in the area. Not that I blame …

A Weekend in Paris

Wonder what it looks like to wake up in Paris for a weekend? Here’s a video of what a couple of days off are like in the city. Hint: it includes lots of art, music, and skyline views. Song: Day in Paris – LlusionPlaces shot: Le Centre Pompidou, Le Marais, 15th Arrondissement, Third Eye Blind …

A Change of Pace and My New Family

Karibu Kidete Village! Welcome to Kidete Village! The nerve-wracking, exciting, much-anticipated part of our CIEE program finally began last Sunday: moving to rural villages to live with homestay families for a month! Many of us have different assignments for this month; mine are conducting a needs assessment in my village, conducting interviews and focus group …

Still a Student: Sightseeing on a Budget

As an off-campus study traveler, you’re charged with the daunting task of exploring as much as you can within just four months, while maintaining that student budget. Rent, utilities, food, and transportation can add up quickly. But there is hope! Using some college-student resourcefulness and a bit more planning, you can still experience your destination …