America vs Germany

When I came to the United States last year I thought for some reason I would go back to the Western World and everything would be more or less the…

Bars Abroad

The room is dim and smoky, and a waitress weaves through the packed tables with bottles and glasses balanced precariously on a tray. Music is playing – it could be…

Cultural Dips

After a few days of traveling and translating for my English-only-speaking boyfriend in Peru, I am feeling much more comfortable about speaking and explaining Spanish.  In fact, several people have…

From Suramérica to Suburbia

It is inevitable to experience “reverse culture shock” after spending a long period of time abroad.  Culture shock is the experience of a new language, food, people, and trying to…

Reverse Culture Shock

Reverse culture shock is tricky. I’ve been back in the U.S. for about a month now. In many ways, I am still in the honeymoon period. I am thrilled to…

The Ins & Outs

While spring has surely arrived in other parts of the world, in northern Japan it is puttering along in fits and starts.  The first signs were the pale green cabbage-flowers…

Slippery Surprise

We were coming to the end of our whirlwind trip in India.  My travel partner and I had seen the poverty of Delhi, the ghats in Varanasi, the Taj Mahal…

Must Haves: Studying Abroad

Over four years ago I embarked on one of the most life changing endeavors of my life…I studied abroad. This was actually my first time ever traveling very far without…

Varanasi Ghats

On our first morning in Varanasi, we made our way through the streets and down to the Ghats that define this ancient city.  Our interest in the ghats (a series of steps…