Going Global at Hope

Hope College prides itself on being a campus with a global focus. Just recently was Going Global Week, hosted by the Center for Global Engagement. The week held a number of events to provide information about other cultures and the opportunity to engage therein – everything from an International Food Fair to a photo contest from …

Away From Hope

Has it ever occurred to you that you can earn credits for course requirements off Hope’s campus? Have you heard someone talking about studying abroad? From a first-hand perspective I can tell you to go. Go out. Explore the world studying abroad. Take a month, two months, or if you are zealous, take an entire …

Finally Home

I am back to my sweet Michigan home! Four months was a long time to be away, but I’m finally back in my house, my room, and my life. It was missed. The journey on Saturday was long, as my six-hour flight into Toronto, Canada, was followed up by a three-hour drive back to Detroit, …

Galway Girls

This past weekend was one of the best trips I’ve taken in Ireland so far. It was bittersweet because it was the last weekend trip I’ll be taking while here, but it was the perfect trip to end with regardless. A couple of friends and I went to Galway, on the western coast of Ireland …

Northern Ireland: The Last Stop

The last place I visited on my mid-term break was Northern Ireland. Leaving Austria on Wednesday and flying out of Munich Airport in Germany on Thursday, it was a crazy week already. Then right on the tail end of leaving my parents in Germany (not to be seen for another seven weeks) the IES program …

Next Stop: Austria

The second place my family and I traveled while on my midterm break was Salzburg, Austria. For those of you that are unfamiliar with the city, it was the city where one of the most famous movies ever was filmed – The Sound of Music! I have vivid memories from when I was younger of …

Midterm Break Adventures

I’ve missed you, readers! I apologize for my writing absence during the last week as I was living out of a backpack (clothes and all) and didn’t have room for my laptop. It’s so good to be back, and I’m PUMPED to tell you all about my travels. Here’s how I’m going to structure this: …

Weekend Preface

Six weeks in. I’ve been going to classes in Ireland for six weeks already. I’m baffled, I’m incredulous, I’m flabbergasted! The time has slithered past me quickly and in the most wonderful way, but if I’m being completely honest, I’m ready for a break. Luckily for me, in my time of need (as in any), …

Another Irish Weekend

This past weekend was one of the best weekends of the semester so far, and it happened right here in Ireland! On Friday and Saturday, Meg and I traveled to Cork in southern Ireland. It was beautiful. On Friday morning, we had taken an early train and arrived into Cork station around 10 a.m. This gave …

To Scotland I Go!

Alright, Readers, I’m going to let you in on a secret that I just figured out this past week: planning travel is hard work! This weekend I have the privilege of traveling to Scotland (!!!!) which is so so exciting. However, saying that is one thing, but planning it and carrying through is completely another. …