China with my friend, Makenna
Highlights include many nights of immersive theatre/art, an overnight “hard sleeper” train, hidden tea rooms, and of course, the Great Wall.
India with Theater Mitu.
I got to study in India alongside Theater Mitu and extraordinary Indian artists. We were taught art forms such as kalaripayattu, mohiniyattam, and kathakali by the top Indian artists in those fields. We were privileged enough to attend a festival that only occurs a few times within a lifetime. It was the most intense experience of my life, with no days off and no breaks except to eat, but it was one of the most extraordinary things I’ve ever done.
Colombia with my roommate, Isabella
My roommate is Colombian born and raised, so getting to go home with her was an incredible experience. Highlights include getting to know and understand this beautiful soul even better, and seeing her joy in sharing her culture with me.
Belize with my mom and my friend, Kristen.
Highlights include being guided into a sacred cave (swimming and climbing through complete darkness), and swimming in bioluminescent waters.
France with my mom, grandpa, and brother.
Highlights include the art, a little girl asking me if I was a princess while we were at a chateau, and the charming region of Alsace (it was the inspiration for Beauty and the Beast and has a Le Petite Prince theme park).
England with my little brother, Riley.
Highlights included attending protests, lots of Harry Potter, a day trip to the Edinburgh Jazz Festival, and so many shows (some of our faves were an immersive production of The Great Gatsby, and, of course, seeing Shakespeare at The Globe)
Spain with my friend, Kristen.
Highlights include a spontaneous day trip to Seville, some of the best sunsets I’ve ever seen, and lots of late night laughter.
Backpacking through Europe with my friend, Makenna Part 1: Italy
Highlights include meeting incredible craftsmen in Venice, extraordinary art and history, and a day in Verona that was nothing short of magic (especially after spending a semester acting as Juliet)
Backpacking through Europe with Makenna Part 2: Austria
We did not plan to go to Austria, but while in Italy I realized we were close to one of the places on my bucket list: Swarovski Kristallwelten (a bizarre immersive art theme park by Swarovski). So, we spontaneously decided to go to Austria. Highlights include the phenomenally unusual park, the countryside that seemed from a fairytale, and Vienna which held wonderful jazz and the best audioguide I've ever listened to (for the castle in which Marie Antionette grew up).
Backpacking through Europe with Makenna Part 3: Croatia
Highlights include some of the most beautiful natural wonders I've ever seen.