Tips for Weekend Travel

I remember reading off-campus student blogs from years prior who shared how easy it is to travel on the weekends. They would sit in a café on a Monday and plan where in the world they’d like to visit on that upcoming weekend. True, I’ve found myself doing the same thing— enjoying a chai while …

A Rooftop Epiphany

Last night, two of my friends and I sat on the rooftop of my apartment building, looked up at the stars, and had a long talk. We shared about what our lives looked like before departing for Spain, our career choices, our goals and dreams for the future, and more. Before leaving for Spain, I …

Recent Excursions in Spain

In my first post, I shared how my host sister gave me a list of places that were must-sees while I am here in Spain. I have only been in Spain for a month and I’m already starting to check some things off my bucket list. This weekend and last weekend, I’ve gone on a …

Isa’s Guide to Sevilla

With more and more family and friends planning their trips to visit, I’ve been compiling a list of Sevilla touristy treasures & hidden gems to be must-sees during their time here. I thought I’d share these ideas with all of you and if you ever find yourself in the south of Spain, you’ll have my …

The People Make the Place

The first 24 hours after my mom dropped me off at O’Hare airport in Illinois were scary, fun, hectic, and disorienting. Upon arriving at the first airport of the upcoming 4, I struggled to check in and check my bag. That was when I began to worry if I was taking on more than I …

Present-oriented Pre-departure

In just a few days I will be departing Chicago to head to Sevilla! Well… technically I’ll be headed to New York… then Madrid… then Sevilla. After pushing through each obstacle leading up to this adventure, I am still shocked that this day is finally arriving.  I cannot wait to explore Spain, meet my host …

Chapter 4: The People

The people here in Sevilla will forever be the most memorable part of my time studying abroad. The culture here in Spain is so different than in the United States. It has taken some time getting used to, but these past weeks, I have finally begun to understand how Spaniards think, and how it effects …

Coffee in the Mountains

This past weekend, my program took us on a weekend retreat to the mountains, and it was one of the most reflective and inspirational weekends I’ve had here in the DR. Communities in the countryside often have some agricultural component that employs some of the people who live there. In Bonao, some of the locals …

Chapter 3: Morocco

When you think of Morocco, what comes to mind? Everyone has their inclinations. If you’ve seen movies or know a little about the country, you may feel like you have an idea. The three short days that I spent there, I realized two things: that everything I thought before was very wrong, and that I …

Chapter 2: Portugal

On Friday, February 7th, a group of about twenty CIEE students made their way onto a bus. This bus was heading to the infamous Lisbon, Portugal (or Lisboa as they say). We had the Airbnb, round trip tickets and passports ready. I came into the weekend without any expectations or notions as to what this …