Welcome! I'm so glad you could join me

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I am a 22-year-old art enthusiast, feminist, traveler, and adventure seeker. I was born and raised in a small, conservative town in north central Illinois. Although raised in this environment, I was also raised by parents who challenged me to think beyond it, never confining me to a box or a certain set of beliefs. In 2020, I was accepted to Augustana College, and in 2021 I moved to Rock Island, Illinois, a city on the Illinois-Iowa border. After ignoring suggestions from some family members that I should stay in my hometown and attend my local community college, I left home for the first time, a decision that proved to be rewarding. During my time in college, I learned how to build a home environment on my own and was guided by mentors who have inspired me to take risks and believe in myself, although this time was not without its challenges and curveballs. While in undergrad, I studied abroad and developed a lust for traveling, became more comfortable with calling myself a feminist, grew more independent, learned how to stand up for myself, discovered how to find power and motivation in fear, earned my Bachelor’s degree in the subject that I love - art history, and learned the true value of education, all while learning how to navigate adulthood as a young woman. I have challenged myself to push boundaries and will continue to do this as I pursue whatever interests me next, letting each gut feeling guide me to my next adventure. 

My next, and perhaps greatest, challenge is moving halfway across the world alone. Recently, I have been accepted to a top 100 world-ranked overseas university to further pursue Art History. After admiring this school for nearly a year, I have decided to take a leap of faith and move to the Netherlands, where I have never visited before, where I will earn a master’s degree. I believe that an education is a young woman’s best and most useful tool for survival in today’s ever-changing world. I will continue to sharpen that tool as I move to Europe, soaking up every ounce of academic knowledge, personal advice, and cultural experience. 

I hope that with each story shared, another young adult will grow more comfortable with taking chances, not asking for permission, and having faith in who they are. I lead each decision with the belief that life begins beyond your comfort zone, and my journey is just beginning. I hope that you will join me on my journey as I continue to navigate this crazy world, sharing my experiences along the way. You might even become inspired to leave your comfort zone behind a time or two, because you never know where it might lead you.

To the adventures ahead of us, 

Emily 

Explore packing recommendations, tips for ethical tourism, advice for overcoming fear, and suggestions for striving toward cultural awareness in a globalized world. For both the young person embarking on a first-time journey and the seasoned solo traveler, enjoy tales of my experiences from the perspective of a female adventure-seeker paving her own path to adulthood, one worldwide journey at a time. 

Read tips, motivational stories, and lessons learned from my time studying abroad in France and Spain. Learn the benefits of a European lifestyle, including the availability of high-quality food, affordable education, and the accessibility of travel. Follow along as I learn about different lifestyles around the globe through travel experiences. 

Join me on my journey as I gear up for a solo move across continents. As I embark on my journey to Europe from the United States, and as I complete preparatory tasks to get there, follow my experiences as a first-time international student. Like a digital diary, explore personal stories from someone navigating these challenges in real time.