Where to begin? I arrived in Bethlehem nearly six days ago, and yet it feels like I’ve been here for much, much longer. But I mean that in a positive way. I feel so different already from the girl who landed in Tel…
Last weekend, I joined the group of West Point cadets for a weekend camping in the Sahara desert. The cadets are led by a professor of comparative politics and anthropology, who has become an incredible resource to me as I…
A week ago, I came back from the US feeling strange. After 6 weeks in Honduras, returning to US living was startling, a contrast I had somewhat expected. I loved being with my family and enjoying the comforts of life,…
Misericordia. It’s one of those false cognates in Spanish. It sounds like it would mean misery, what you experience in the valleys. In a way, it is what you experience in the valleys, but it’s not negative. It’s the gift…
Eid Mubarek/Happy end of Ramadan! Today I concluded my month-long fast alongside the rest of the Moroccan community. I cannot emphasize enough how profound of an experience it was to participate in Ramadan in an Islamist country, but I would…
Hello again! Goodbye lychee season, hello mango season! I was warned about the deliciousness of mango season for months and months in advance. A few of my coworkers even deemed it the “best part” of summer. Something to make the…
I can’t believe I only have a handful of days left in Nicaragua. These past two months have been a blur of new friends, a new language, and incredible experiences. Today I had my last exercise class with the women…
Hello, everyone! Welcome to my Lumos blog and the start of my travel and internship experience in Bethlehem, Palestine working with WI’AM Conflict Resolution and Transformation Center. My adventure will officially begin July 15th at 8:00 AM when I will…
A lot has happened in two weeks, too much to write down especially when words just won’t convey the experience. That is the only downside; words don’t do their stories justice, you just can’t capture the world in a frame.…
Originally founded in 1471, the city of Chefchaouen has a profoundly rich history. Located in the Rif mountains of northern Morocco, the natural scenery surrounding the city is striking. However, the thing that sets Chefchouen apart is actually found within the…