Kia Ora!

Kia ora is the standard greeting in New Zealand, a bit of the language of the indigenous people (Māori) that means “be well.” It is what the flight attendant at the Air New Zealand desk said to me when I checked in for my flight. This was the first time...

Reflection

On this trip I will have switched back and forth time zones six times by the time I get back home. My sleep schedule is going to be pretty whack for the next couple days. I tried to stay up pretty late last night in a desperate attempt to get myself back on track. I...

¡Junior Tu Papá!

The professional soccer team from Barranquilla is called Junior. The iconic red and white stripes of their jersey can be seen all around the city on any given day, along with people calling out their famous phrase “¡Junior tu papá!” Earlier in this trip,...

Just Say Yes

The one piece of knowledge I’ve learned on this trip that I could tell anyone would be just say yes. While we are all college kids making our way in the world and limited funds, some of my favorite memories have been because I said yes regardless. I’m fortunate enough...

Back to Reality

            Upon returning home I was really excited to be back. I was really ready to get some American food and get home to my family. As soon as the plane touched down in Atlanta, all I could think about was...

Coming Home

I arrived back in Tuscaloosa after what seems like far too short of a time in the most magical city in the world. I was excited to come home and see my family and friends but I couldn’t help but feel I left a piece of my heart in Prague. I never realized how...

Experiencing Belize

Being in Belize is like a whole other world. It’s definitely hotter than Alabama. I came off the plane and had to take stairs down to the ground, I felt like a movie star. Once we got into a van to go to our first destination, the landscape started changing. It...

Life in South Africa

Upon arrival in South Africa I was still not sure what to expect. While driving from the airport to the hostel, I took in the gorgeous scenery of the skyline of the city. When I seen, this I thought, “maybe South Africa has more to offer than meets the eye.” The...