blog

I don’t just study the world. I go out and experience it. This blog captures real stories and local perspectives, exploring the layers of life and culture in each place I visit. With that being said, let’s take a closer look at what shapes our world, and the people behind it.

Study Abroad Diaries: A Memoir

Fall semester, 2023

A person with braided hair in a pink shirt and denim shorts standing on a balcony overlooking a lush garden with flowers and greenery. The scene includes Mediterranean-style buildings with pastel colors and green shutters.

My memoir is a work-in-progress reflection about my experience studying abroad in Menton, France. This is an honest and personal narrative on the messy, thrilling, and sometimes chaotic journey of moving alone to a new place. It’s about facing fears, gaining independence, building friendships, and figuring out who you really are when nobody’s watching. These are the stories, adventures, and lessons I learned along the way—a guide for anyone trying to find themselves in an unfamiliar world.

Check out my video recap of Cavetown’s Bittersweet Daze Tour, which kicked off in Philadelphia on August 4, 2023, at the Mann Center’s Skyline Stage. Featuring special guests Grent Perez, Ricky Montgomery, and mxmtoon, it was an evening filled with music, dancing, and vibrant energy. Fans not only celebrated the performances but also supported Cavetown’s This is Home Project, dedicated to improving LGBTQ+ youth’s access to essential healthcare, safe housing, and vital resources. The sunny afternoon brought an electric atmosphere as attendees arrived early to enjoy food trucks, merch stands, colorful inflatables, and pride-inspired outfits sprawled across picnic blankets on the grass.

Read my article here: https://www.thetriangle.org/entertainment/the-bittersweet-daze-tour-an-lgtbq-celebration/

The Commodification of Hostel Culture in Huacachina, Peru

A nighttime view of an illuminated oasis surrounded by sand dunes and buildings. The oasis features a body of water reflecting the lights. Distant city lights are visible on the horizon.

Take a look into  Huacachina, Peru, a dreamy desert oasis turned backpacker hotspot, and uncover the hidden environmental and cultural costs of hostel-driven tourism. It's a story of paradise found, paradise lost, and why sustainable travel matters now more than ever.

Group of people riding camels in a desert landscape with sand dunes in the background.

A Week in Morocco: My Experience, Tips, and Advice

My first trip to Morocco in 2023 ignited my my love for travel like nothing else. In one week, I crossed the country, from the chaos of Marrakech to the calm of the Sahara and the maze of Fes, all on a budget. This article covers what I saw, what I learned, what I wish I knew, and everything I’d tell someone heading there for the first time.

A person in a swimsuit playfully standing in the ocean waves at sunset, with a beautiful orange sky and sun setting over the horizon.

Spring Break in Cabarete: The Ultimate Girls' Getaway

Sunshine, soul, and slowing down—Cabarete is the spring break that fills you up. On the north coast of the Dominican Republic, this laid-back town serves up barefoot beach days, jungle adventures, and a kind of connection that lingers long after the tan fades.