My first travel experience outside the U.S. happened in March 2008. The Classics department at OSU had its first "Experiencing Rome" trip and my friends Luke, Greg and I decided to apply. Of course, being Classics majors, and not many people knowing about the trip, we were accepted to the program with no problem. Winter quarter we took an amazing class with Prof. Richard Fletcher about Ancient Rome. Anything you could ever want to know about the city we learned in that class (topography, geography, history, myth...) After Winter quarter, of course, is Spring Break! My best spring break was spent in Rome, with wonderful old friends, new friends, and two amazing professors! We stayed in a beautiful hotel on the Aventine Hill. Spent roughly a week exploring the ancient (and modern) city. We went through the forum, the Palantine Hill, the Coliseum, re-enacted the Roman Triumph and the Assassination of Caesar, went to many museums, temples, cathedrals, the Pantheon, the Vatican, and so much more! It is a wonderful city full of modern and ancient beauty.
Roman Forum
After seeing the wonder of Rome, I got the travel bug. The next adventure was a bigger decision - to move to South Korea! After finally graduating from OSU, I decided I wanted to teach English (or really, get any job) abroad. The job teaching at Wonderland in Gyeongju fell into my lap, and a few months later I found myself having picked up my life and moved across the globe - an experience I would never change! Teaching and living here has taught me so much about myself, others, the world, everything. It's been such a fulfilling experience. Not to mention, Korea has such an amazing history itself and I was living in the ancient capital of the Silla dynasty. I made many friends, learned new things about Korean culture, language, history, mythology that I would have otherwise overlooked.
DMZ
While living in Korea, I made a lot of money, and couldn't resist the urge to keep traveling as much as possible! My first vacation time was for Christmas 2009. My co-workers, Liz, Ryan and I decided to make a trip to Malaysia and Indonesia. We flew into Kuala Lumpur, spent some time at the Batu Caves, the Kuala Lumpur and Patronas towers and wandering about the city. In Indonesia we stayed in Bali, spending most of the time on the beaches, but making a day trip to Ubud as well. After about a week we had to return to our jobs in freezing cold Korea.
Kuta Beach
For my Chusok vacation 2010 I spent 3 days in Osaka, Japan. I spent some time enjoying the social scene with some CSers, on my own I saw Osaka Castle, the Kaiyukan, Dotonbori, and some Japanese shrines/temples. Though 3 days is fine for seeing just one city, I will surely try to make it back to other parts of Japan!
Osaka Castle
For Christmas 2010 I went to Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam for one day then wandered my way into Cambodia to welcome the New Year. Such an amazing trip. The War Museum, Cheoung Ek Killing fields, and S21 provided a moving experience followed by the wonders of Angkor Wat complex. Cambodia was such an amazing country, and the people are so happy despite their very recent and dark history!
Angkor Wat
