Just like that, my two months in the South Pacific are over. As I sit in the LAX United terminal waiting to board my flight to Chicago, it's hard to believe I'm back in the states. I definitely ended this leg with a pretty great week. My last few days of volunteer work were relatively … Continue reading Wrapping it Up →

I sighed with relief when I dug my hands into my backpack and realized there was no longer anything occupying it. I was completely unpacked, for the first time since leaving for the South Pacific, and I was relieved to not have to search through my densely packed bag every time I needed to grab … Continue reading A Happy Home Away From Home →

Somehow I always seem to be writing these blogs while sitting on a train. This entry this is the fourth in a row that have been written on the great railroads of the South Pacific. This time I’m on my way from Auckland to the volunteer project where I’ll be spending the next three weeks. … Continue reading Auckland Adventures →

As I look at my train ticket, I am baffled by the fact that the date begins with a 3. Somehow, it is already March and what’s even crazier is that today is my last day in Australia. My month here has flown by just as fast as the cows outside my train window pass. … Continue reading A Farewell to AUS →

Exactly two weeks after arriving in Newcastle, I found myself at the Newcastle Interchange Station, getting on the same train but heading in the opposite direction. It’s strange how quickly this past week came and went, but I guess time flies when you’re having fun. Coming off of a long work week, all of us … Continue reading Saying Goodbye to Newcastle →

When I confirmed my volunteer position with Conservation Volunteers of Australia five months ago, I didn't know too much about what my month here would look like. I had heard about the organization from my sister, Kalie, who volunteered with CVA during a week of her Carpe Diem Education Gap Year Semester in 2015. I had … Continue reading Saving the World, One Weed at a Time →

Just 3 days after completing my EMT course, I was back on a plane heading halfway across the world to Australia. A few hours of sleep and many movies later, the wheels were touching down on the runway of Sydney International Airport. I quickly passed through Australia’s far superior immigration system,, collected my bag, and … Continue reading 24 Hours in Sydney →

Thanks to the National Outdoor Leadership School's Wilderness Medicine Institute, I am now a licensed EMT (and a WEMT). Just four weeks ago I knew nearly nothing about urban medicine, but now I could theoretically show up the next time you call 911. Here's how I got there: On December 31st, instead of celebrating the … Continue reading You Might Not Want to Call the Ambulance Anymore →

With my time in Central America behind me, I hopped off the plane in Lima ready for the next portion of the trip. I was excited to get to know a new country and a new continent as I had never been to South America before. It was beyond nice to reunite with my mom … Continue reading From Lima to Machu Picchu, 10 Days in Peru →