I’m on my way to Iceland and I couldn’t be more excited. There is so much unknown to me that lies ahead. I have no idea what to expect or what I even expect. I know that whatever is ahead will be incredible. I know I am going to learn so much about climate change…
Category: SIT Study Abroad
Saying Goodbyes and Reflecting on Identities
Saying goodbye is never easy. I said my final goodbyes to my SIT classmates and staff a few days ago. I am still in Bali with my mom traveling here for another two weeks. Although I have not left Bali, I can already tell that I am greatly going to miss this place. I am…
Writing on the Gilis
I am finally on my last week of my research project! This final week is writing week, therefore I will be spending these next few days finishing and editing my 50 page research paper. My friend Maia and I chose the Gili Islands as our location for the writing period. Perhaps this was not the…
Week Three of Independent Research Project
Happy Earth Day! Yesterday I arrived back in Ubud, after being at a Buddhist Monastery for five days. My time at the monastery was an invaluable experience for both my research project and my personal life. During my time spent here, I met the Buddhist monk who has been living at the monastery for decades…
First Stop: Ubud
Today I officially start my Independent Research Project, which means I only have a month left in the program and two months left in Bali! It feels like just yesterday I stepped off the plane and entered Asia for the first time. At the same time, a lot has happened in the past two months…
Java
This past weekend, we returned from Java where we had stayed for the past three weeks. During our first two weeks in Java, we attended lectures at the Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta, the second largest university in Indonesia. We also stayed with a homestay family in the village of Godean; I got along very…
Yogyakarta – Java
Five days ago, I arrived in Yogayakarta; I was welcomed into my Javanese homestay on Tuesday. My family is a family of five: bapak, ibu, a son and two daughters. All the children speak English, which has been very helpful and we have engaged in discussions about each other’s lives and cultures. During these three…
The Island Life
Bali has been my new home for two weeks now. This lovely island has captured my heart; the people here are genuinely friendly, the nature is stunning and vibrantly green, and the program is great so far. At times, its easy to forget that I am indeed in school as our classes are outside in…
Bali: Pre-Departure
I am currently glued to the fireplace in my aunt’s house thanking myself for choosing a study abroad location that has a warm climate. Yesterday I left the sunshine state to fly to New Jersey to say goodbye to my family before leaving for the Island of Gods – Bali! On Sunday I will embark…
Missing Amsterdam Already
It’s been about a week since I returned home to Florida from Amsterdam and I already miss the Amsterdam life. I miss my bike and riding around the canals and seeing all the beautiful houses. I miss my cappuccinos at the local hipster cafes and going on adventures around the city everyday with no destination….