I love experiencing other cultures and ways of living and being. I enjoy seeking out opportunities to participate in and learn about authentic local activities to feel more connected to the place of travel as if I am living there too.

I would never travel without a backup battery charger- it has come in handy many times when I do not have immediate access to charge essentials such as my phone, camera, or headlamp.

My most life changing travel experience was to Zihuatanejo, in Guerrero, Mexico in 2005 and again in 2009. This was my first time to a country with a culture much different than what I experienced back home. This is where I first practiced a different language, and realized other cultures have unique ways of living and being, that there are many ways to live. In Zihuatanejo, I first discovered my love to travel that has grown stronger as time goes on and I travel more.

Traveling has taught me so much! What I have learned most is to be more flexible and adaptable, always prepared with a backup plan. I am a planner, and when travel plans have changed due to unforeseen circumstances, I have learned to be more accepting to go with flow of the new changes and see them as a unique opportunity I would not have been able to experience otherwise.

I love traveling to new places, so it seems every time I am able to travel somewhere new, that becomes my favorite destination! I love flowers, art, and local culture, so in every destination I have sought out opportunities to discover local art and flora. One destination that sticks out more than others is Cusco, Peru. I lived there for a few months with a host family in 2016 to complete studies in Latin America. It remains an extremely memorable experience not just because of the flora and fauna, art and textiles, but the people and culture. I was able to become more immersed in the authentic local culture rather than just traveling quickly through the area.