Identity Crisis: How Banishing My Life Road Map Helped Me Define Myself
For most of my life I’ve been Kat the Student. This title, first bestowed upon me in my wee preschool years, stuck with me until…
travel
Overcoming the Challenges of Living Abroad
I was 19 the first time I made the decision to move abroad. Growing up in a small town, I spent my childhood dreaming of…
How to Recover Gracefully From a Cultural Misstep
It’s not easy confessing a mistake or apologizing for an insult. It’s particularly difficult when you don’t speak the same language as the person you’ve…
How Creative Packing Made Trips More Interesting
My desire to become an efficient packer grew out of frugalness more than anything. As a childhood packrat, I never put much intention into packing.…
Flying Solo: What I’ve Learned About Myself From Traveling Alone
As an introvert, I enjoy spending time alone. Yet when it comes to traveling, I typically prefer to have a buddy with me to navigate…
4 Ways to Use Your Summer Vacation to Spiritually Recharge
It’s vacation season! Whether you’re trekking a mountain trail or hightailing it to the beach, taking a trip is the perfect time to recharge spiritually.…
How to Be a Food Tourist at Home
When I think back to the year I spent in Italy as part of my undergrad degree in languages, what sticks in my mind above…
How to Avoid Greenwashed Hotels
As a dedicated sustainable traveler, I’m thrilled to see that eco-friendly tourism is trending. Without ethical tourism, future generations won’t have the chance to explore…
Why Taking a Gap Year Is the Best Way to Challenge Yourself
Taking a gap year after college doesn’t always mean frolicking with baby elephants in Thailand or tanning in Bali. Sometimes it means getting utterly lost…
Ready, Set, Save for Your Summer Getaway
Summer days and cornflower blue skies are just around the corner. A good summer vacation is like a refreshing drink of cold brew coffee: invigorating,…