immersive experience

Portugal

I went to Portugal on my spring break of Junior year. This was a school trip that I was nervous to go on would be an understatement. I barely knew anyone going and that terrified me. Being alone in a country with people I also am not familiar with seemed so scary. However, the minute I stepped foot on the bus that was leading me to the airport I knew I made the right decision to go on this trip. It was the best experience of my life. A week ago I didn't know any of these girl's names and now I can't imagine life without them. We were all alone in a foreign country in which we didn't know the language. We had to navigate this country and whilst doing this we formed a deeper connection with each other. We were ignorant of almost everything. We couldn't read any signs or cross a street without endangering our lives. Our EF tour guide was so scared because none of us Americans knew how to cross a street the "right way". I didn't only travel and experience a new space, or a new way of living, I also met a new side of myself. Learning about Portuguese culture, the way they live, the different food they eat, their beautiful architecture and amazing hospitality. It warmed my heart and fueled my passion for traveling all at the same time.

Chapel of Bones, Évora

This chapel my tour group visited had a total of 5,000 human skulls. The human remains are kept there since in the 16th century, there were almost 42 monastic cemeteries in the city which took up too much space.

Algarve, Lagos

We took a boat and floated around these huge cliffs and rocks. I learned that these rocks are sculpted in Miocene bioclastic limestone and sandstone.

Monastery of Batalha

This monastery was built to commemorate the 1385 Battle of Aljubarrota. It was ethereal to see architecture and intricate detail in person. The Portuguese monarchy worked on building it for two whole centuries!

Nazare

I took this photo while on our way to Porto from the window of our tour bus. I'm so grateful we were able to travel throughout Portugal through bus to see all the different areas of this country. It was so wonderful and heartwarming seeing the animals free on the fields.

University of Coimbra

The Joanine Library is located at the University of Coimbra. This university was first built in Lisbon in 1290 and was eventually relocated to Coimbria in 1537. This library is the home to 70,000 books. It is also the library that inspired Beauty and the Beast!

National Palace of Sintra

This palace was built in the early 15th century. The most eye-striking feature of the Palace is the facing with tiles. It is now located in the Lisbon District of Portugal.

The Dominican Republic

Playa Bavaro

Swimming with dolphins!!!

Salvaleon De Higuey

"Higuey" means a place where the sun rises. Higuey was one of the first areas to be settled by the Spanish conquistadors in 1502.

Playa Bavaro

This squirrel monkey found me while I was walking along the beach!

Culture & History

While I was in the Dominican Republic with my family we were still able to immerse ourselves in their culture and grow more knowledgeable about this country and its people. My mom took us on a tour where we were able to hear more about how The Dominican people and their customs have predominately European cultural origins consisting basis, with both African and native Taíno influences. The Dominican Republic was the site of the first European settlement in the New World, Santo Domingo, which was established in 1493. In this photograph, our tour guides played native Dominican music that derives from Spanish, African, and indigenous Taino musical influences.

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