Adventures

One of my favorite and most useful hobbies is traveling! I started going abroad in the summer of 2023, and ever since then I have been fascinated by going to new places and trying new things. Travel has helped me problem solve, plan, become more independent, and gain perspective on things I otherwise couldn’t imagine. Travel has helped me tap into a growth mindset and gain more life skills that are applicable in anything I choose to do. Here’s a gallery to look at some highlights of the places I’ve been to!

My first trip abroad was with my family to London. I had such an amazing experience, that I have been back every year since! I have traveled throughout London, Manchester, Birmingham, Reading, and Oxford. My favorite part about this country is the Natural History Museum .

I had the opportunity to go to Iceland with my university in the spring of 2024! It was my first international trip without any family, so it took a lot of courage to step out of that comfort zone for me. I went hiking on glaciers, saw the northern lights, and explored many different landscapes. My favorite part about this country was the cuisine- it made me enjoy seafood for the first time!

I went to Greece on a whim in the summer of 2024! I caught a flight with mom the same day we decided to go, and the spontaneity paid off! We visited the Acropolis, Acropolis museum, and walked around Athens. Although we were only there for two days, we saw so much! My favorite part of this country was the archaeology- I was fascinated that ancient history was preserved for so long.

I went on my second trip abroad with my university in the spring of 2025. For this, I got three certifications with PADI and was able to learn about coral conservation. For more info about my studies, visit my ‘Projects’ tab! My favorite part about this country was the nature. The ocean itself was fascinating! We saw so many marine species, including sea turtles, a variety of fish, sea urchins, spiny lobseters, moray eels, and even stingrays! The island itself was very arid, and there were a ton of cacti.

My trip to Puerto Rico was another spontaneous trip, but with a good friend of mine! We explored San Juan, went to the beach, explored El Yunque rainforest, and tried local cuisine! My favorite part about this place was the company! This trip was a wonderful way to get to know my friend, and we definitely left as closer friends than when we arrived.

I had the opportunity to go to Germany in the spring of 2025 and stay with close family friends. I explored around Cologne, went to the zoo, and saw the world-famous Kölner Dom. Seeing the gothic architecture in real life was very fulfilling, as the cathedral was a place on my bucket list. My favorite part about this country was the Cologne zoo! It was massive, and very educational.

My trip to Mallorca, Spain was once again spontaneous! Like the others, it was incredibly worthwhile and extremely beautiful. I was only there for a couple days, so I just stayed in Palma. The city was beautiful, and it was the perfect combination of urban and natural landscapes. My favorite part of this country was the cuisine- I tried a few local restaurants and cafes and all of them were spectacular.

A good friend of mine hosted me in Eastern France in the summer of 2025. I traveled to Colmar by myself, and wandered around the city that inspired Beauty and the Beast all day! I tried French and German food, went shopping, and talked to locals. My favorite part about this country was the adventure- It was my first time visiting any international city completely alone!

I went on a short trip to Sardinia with a good friend over the summer. We went paddle boarding, sightseeing, and experienced a beautiful blood moon in Olbia! My favorite part about this country was the geology. Some of the pictures above are from Lido Del Sole Spiaggia, where I saw many features I learned about in my geology class!

Ireland is the country that I have spent the least amount of time in- almost exactly 12 hours! Even with such a short amount of time, my mom and I got to experience what an ordinary evening in Swords was like. My favorite part about this country were the people! We had wonderful hosts that showed us great kindness for our short stay.

I was able to go to Scotland with my mom in the summer of 2025. It was beautiful there- perfect weather, gorgeous streets, and friendly locals. We were only here for just over a day, but every hour was packed with something new! We browsed bookshops, saw performances in the Fringe Festival, constructed our own tartan bags, and more! My favorite part about this country was seeing real-life history. Scotland has a very complex and dark history, and being able to learn about it was very meaningful.