Travels
“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” -Neale Donald Walsch
I have been fortunate to have combined my passions for education and travel a number of times. From the first time I traveled abroad to study the Spanish culture and language, I was hooked! Below are highlights of my travels.
Costa Rica 2019
I spent a month living in Costa Rica with a host family while volunteering at a local school and taking intensive, personalized Spanish classes with a group from CommonGround International. This immersive experience was the best way to learn the language, culture, and history of the country. During my time here, I also had the pleasure of visiting many libraries and talking with librarians about book access and reading culture.
Ghana 2018
I had the pleasure of joining the LEAP for Ghana team to help with the grand opening of the Barbara E. Alexander Memorial Library and Health Clinic in the rural village of Konko. The opportunity to help with the library layout, cataloging, and library attendant training was remarkable.
Japan 2014
I spent the summer as an English camp counselor with Guy Healy Japan traveling to a new city every three days to work with different students. The language barrier in Japan demanded patience and creativity to explain things and be ready every day. This reminded me of how to be an outsider and be more sensitive to learners.
Eleuthera 2013, 2015, 2016
I joined Freedom to Read, Inc. in sorting and cataloging books as well as training library attendants, empowering them with ownership of their library collection. These trips were incredibly rewarding.
Ecuador 2011-2013
When I taught in Ecuador, I was the entire library media department. This allowed me to develop leadership as I proposed a grant to the board for an iPad pilot program. I also advocated to purchase World Book Online--the only subscription database at our school.
South Africa 2010
As part of my Master's program, I was selected as part of a group to study the impact of information poverty in South Africa for three weeks. Before leaving, I worked with teachers and planned a dozen videoconference connections and taught introductory lessons with Kindergarten through grade 10 students in Kenosha. Learning from the USAID in South Africa, professors, and other experts in the field was eye-opening to see the HIV/AIDS pandemic from a perspective of those working with people living with the disease.
Peru 2010
A friend and I were a part of a group from Globe Aware to volunteer in Cusco, Peru. Helping to roof a house was a true example of stepping outside my comfort zone and experiencing and accomplishing more in me than I thought possible.
Spain 2003
Studying abroad in Valladolid, Spain was my first taste of international travel. This trip taught me the importance of acceptance and understanding and ignited my passion for travel. Immersing myself into a different culture and learning about all aspects of life in Spain forced me to trust myself making decisions.