Traveling with Anxiety
First I would like to say everyone’s experience with anxiety or own struggle with mental health is different. This is my experience and struggle I had and how I got through it.
Europe
Spain: Arrival: by Leah Sharaby
One of the things that drew me to API was the abundance of included trips, excursions, and activities… and the first week of the program was no exception!
Estonia: Internship: Mid Program: A Day in the life by Dong Dinh
In a nutshell, I have been living and interning in Tallinn, Estonia. Currently with EducationUSA in conjunction with Tallinn University of Technology as an administrative intern. It is currently my 8th week here in the Eastern European country and I can say that some things are great and others are so so.
Estonia: Internship: A Day In The Life: “Interning, Learning, & Growing” by Dong Dinh
I finally started my internship at EducationUSA and have been working about 30-40 hours a week. So far the job has been busy but slow. Busy as in I am meeting new people, visiting new places, working on presentations to give to highschool, college, and elementary school students, and going into the mindset that I am the representative of the United States. It scares me a little because I will be one of the few U.S persons that students get to talk and interact with professionally and casually. Since I am a native speaker of English, my colleague has been emailing schools around Estonia to see if they would want me to come and do a presentation about the US educational system and about US culture. I can say that in the next couple of months, I will be exploring new towns, cities and places all around Estonia!
Estonia: Internship: Arrival “First Week Completed!” by Dong Dinh
Hey everyone of the internet! It has been a little over a week since I have been in Tallinn, Estonia. The week has been packed with adventures, meeting new people, and trying many different (and new) ways to live. I will include pictures in this post of some of my adventures so far but visit the pictures and videos page if you want to see them all.
Spain: Post Program: “Back to Reality, Re-Adjustment to Life in the States” by Nick Gillett
Back to Reality, Re-adjustment to Life in the States
With my re-entry into life in the states, my study abroad (and two extra weeks of travel) have come to a close. Leaving Europe was one of the hardest things about growing abroad because I knew my amazing time had to come to an end. And although I am no longer studying abroad, the experience itself still impacts my day to day life.
Estonia: Internship: Arrival: “Arriving in Tallinn” by Dong Dinh
Estonia: Internship: “Pre-Departure” by Dong Dinh
Hey everyone! Thanks for tuning in. At the moment I am waiting at the airport waiting for my flight to leave. It is pretty exciting and scary at the same time. (I ran into a big glass window while trying to text, so tip: Don’t do that) This first blog I hope to detail out what I am expecting and why I would be going abroad.
Austria: Pre-Departure: “Leaving for Vienna” by Katherine Holdcroft
Take the Phone Off the Hook and Disappear for Awhile: Leaving for Vienna
Before departing on my year long stay in Vienna, I have millions of thoughts flitting in and out of the subconscious of my everyday. The troubling thing however, is that until quite recently none of these thoughts had any real connection to going abroad. It wasn’t until about a week ago, that the wet blanket of realization wrapped itself around my sunburnt shoulders, and two words rang loudly in space between my ears, shaking me to my core, “I’m leaving”.
Spain: End of Program: “Adios Barcelona, mi amor!” by Nick Gillett
¡Adíos Barcelona, mi amor!
With finals completed, some friends having already left for home, and my metro passes running out- the end of my time in Barcelona is officially closing in and I am having a hard time leaving. My month in Spain has been unparalleled, a cultural experience that surpassed any preconceived expectations. Living in an entirely new place truly helped me gain a different perspective on life.
Italy: “5 Things I Learned in Rome” by Lainey Rose
5 Things I Learned in Rome
A Photograph of the roundabout near our hostel in Rome at the top of Via Nazionale.
Spain: Mid Program: “My New Normal” by Nick Gillett
http://wp.me/p7FhI1-2J
PHASE III- MY NEW NORMAL
I have officially hit the half way mark of my study abroad session in Barcelona, throughout which I have shifted away from feeling like a tourist on vacation and much more like a student/resident of Barcelona.
Norway: “You’re Gonna Hear me, Roros” by Neal Digre
You’re Gonna Hear Me, Røros
Katy Perry stuck in your head now? You’re welcome. (Even if Røros doesn’t quite work phonetically)
England: “Seaside Holiday” by Lainey Rose
Spain: “Arrival to Barcelona” by Nick Gillett
ARRIVAL TO BARCELONA
I finally made it to Spain (after two nights of sleeping on planes, and a twelve hour layover), and Barcelona has exceeded my already high expectations. The first few days have been spent getting to know the other students in my group and getting acquainted with the city. This has included seeing some of the most iconic Gaudí pieces in Barcelona, eating lunch at Spanish restaurants and riding the metro to school. Our school is a huge beautiful Spanish casa that has been converted into a our school right next to city center and across the street from a famous soccer players home (no, not Neymar).
Spain: Pre-Departure: “Phase 1 Preparation Time” by Nick Gillett
PHASE I: PREPARATION TIME
Leading up to my very first European adventure- I am frantically attempting to gather every possible thing I might need or need to know for studying abroad. In a matter of days I will be hopping on a plane to the beautiful Spanish city of Barcelona, where the dreary Washington weather will be thousands of miles away and the Mediterranean climate will be patiently waiting. As I will be traveling outside the country alone (another first), a lot of thought has gone into this trip. For ten months I have been pursuing intel on what to pack and with six weeks in Europe and a thousand places I want to go; my idealistic and realistic ideas have to find a common ground.