Importance of traveling

So I actually stumbled across this article for research I was doing for a class. Some how I find a way to bring my passion for travel into most of my class assignments. I read this article and found it really interesting. The author made a lot of points that agree a lot with.
One point he makes right int he second paragraph about the connotation of the word "tourist" is huge! When I worked for Contiki that is a fact they have based their branding and marketing efforts on. Their slogan..."be a traveler, not a tourist" appeals to our negative connotation of the word. I think it was smart of them being a tour operator company. Selling tours but not to "tourist".

Another great point is regarding youth travelers (something that hits home): "In large measure, they’re traveling to learn, to grow, to bring back badges of their new found knowledge." I love it!

The name of the article is: Travel, Travel Writing and the Literature of Travel
Check it out!

http://www.vagablogging.net/michael-mewshaw-on-the-importance-of-travel-to-literature.html

ENJOY!

Where to go...

So I was looking through a friends facebook pictures today. He is currently studying abroad for a year in Germany as part of the international engineering major. He recently put up some pictures from Berlin and it looked like a really great place. I was thinking about the History and how great it would be to see the Berlin wall. Now a days there is a ton of art work decorating the wall. I would love to see that. I will have to add that to my long list of things to see before I die. I find it so fascinating to visit place with such unique history. It sounds like a beginning to a story.
A once divided city...

Studying Abroad

As a student there are so many opportunities to travel and in many different ways. Studying abroad is definitely another great way to really experience a culture! I've been thinking about doing a semester abroad myself. Luckily the University of Rhode Island has tons of programs with foreign schools that there are hundreds of options. I have friends who have studied abroad in lots of different countries and cities.

Currently my friend Libby is studying in Rome, my friend Lauren is in Ireland and my friend Shawn is in Germany. They are all in different majors as well, they found programs that were right for them.

My friend Callie is studying marine biology and she spent the last spring semester in Australia!! She said her trip was incredible and there were pictures to prove it! I have another friend who spent a semester in Australia and did amazing things like sky diving, snorkeling and para sailing.

Side note: One of my life goals is to climb the Sydney Harbor Bridge.***

I've have friends who have also studied in London, Salamanca and Florence.

So if you are thinking about studying abroad where do you start? You should look into the programs that are offered at your school. At URI I would start at the homepage for study abroad which can be found here: http://www.uri.edu/international/study_abroad/index.htm

Also keep and eye and ear open for travel abroad information fairs and sessions.

Then the best way to learn about it is to talk to students who have studied abroad. Every experience is different and unique and you will want to find the perfect one for you! So chat it up and ask a lot of questions!!!