Which classic road trip song should I use to title this post?

On Saturday, I'm heading up to Charlotte to pick up the rest of the people I need for our epic road trip. We leave on Sunday, stopping first in Union, WV to have lunch with Joey's granny, and then staying the night in Cincinnati with a friend of ours. You can see where we'll be the rest of our time on the map below.

This trip is going to be insane and amazing. I am excited, because it's completely unpredictable, and I am at the perfect time in my life to be doing something that is spontaneous. This road trip seems like it's a metaphor for my life at the moment--having a direction and a goal, but not having any idea what getting there is going to look like. 

We have planned stops, we have places we plan to see, and we have people we plan to meet up with. But there is no way of knowing how this trip will go, no way of knowing exactly how long it will take us or how many times we will have to fill up the gas tank. It's all dependent on other things, other forces that are bigger than all of us.

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But one thing is for sure. We are going to have an awesome time. I love the four people I am traveling with, and think they will be the best companions. We are going to have so many inside jokes after this that you probably won't want to hang out with any of us for a couple of weeks. Don't worry--a quote book WILL be kept. 

This will be an adventure to remember. One for the books. I'm going to do my best to keep y'all updated as we move around the country, so be looking out for posts here and there. And, of course, plenty and plenty of photographs. 

I'm off again, my friends. This time not across the ocean, but across the country. I'm one of those people who has seen more of Europe than she has of her own nation. And I think it's time to change that.

Catch you on the flipside!

Love,

lvp

NAFSA: Day 3

And yet another incredible day of learning, networking, smiling, laughing, and being inspired by the GlobaLinks staff, the Kingston University international department, and all the other interesting educators I came in contact with throughout the day.

I had so many people who recognized me from the luncheon yesterday compliment me on my speech, wish me luck in my future and in the field, and mention potential opportunities. All of the GlobaLinks staff, and Kingston staff for that matter, helped me network, told various companies that I was looking for jobs or internships, and put in a good word for me. I even stopped and had a chat with the CEO of STA, who I sat next to at the luncheon, who said if I ever needed a good deal on a flight, I could simply contact him and he would get me set right up. Pretty nifty to have the contact information of a travel agency's CEO, then, eh?

This evening, after all the meetings and official stuff, I went to receptions with Zac and the crew, where I met more fascinating people, including a guy named Scott who works for CIS out of Jacksonville and went to JU! Small world. After the parties, I went back to the suite to say goodbye to everyone before they started their debriefing meeting...but then Cynthia (the CEO of GlobaLinks) invited me to stay! This was obviously a huge honor, and one that I felt unworthy of, but I jumped right in, listened, learned even more, and thanked all of them for the invaluable opportunity they had provided me with by allowing me to not only attend NAFSA on their dime, but also to be a part of their team. Literally, this is the most welcoming group of professionals I have ever met, and it was a massive privilege to be a part of the family this week.

I have so much more to tell you. But let me just say...this is only the beginning. Carrie said I should make it my goal to be at the 2016 NAFSA in Colorado, and that is exactly what I am going to do. So this is not the last you will see of me, my IE friends. I look forward to seeing you all in the very near future.

Thank you GlobaLinks, Kingston Uni, NAFSA, and everyone else who make this an unforgettable week and and an incredible jumpstart to my post-graduate life. I am truly humbled, amazed, and grateful.

Love,
lvp

NAFSA: Day 2

Ladies and gents, I am wiped out. I want to tell you all about the GlobaLinks Affiliate Luncheon and tell you about all the feedback I got after my speech, but I am literally falling asleep as I type this. So for now, just know that today was absolutely incredible, I think that many doors were opened, and I am increasingly blessed to have the opportunity to be here.

You will hear more from me soon!

Love,
lvp

NAFSA: Day 1

Where do I begin?

Today was a blur, but a blur in the best possible sense. I don't know how many business cards I collected or handed out, and I was even able to give someone my resume! That was a lovely surprise. I met incredible, interesting, and innovative people--all of whom we willing to talk to me about all of my ridiculous questions. I met ONE person who had heard of Queens University of Charlotte before, because she grew up in Myers Park. Go figure. Everyone else just sort of nods their head when I tell them where I just graduated from. They're also confused as to what I'm doing at the conference if I don't already have a job in international education (IE), so I have a whole speech about that, which is only a few lines longer than saying my school's full name.

I got to say hello to the Kingston representatives today, and I could have stayed there and talked with them all day. I am going to stand at the booth tomorrow and represent Kingston and EuroLearn! Heather says this means I can put "Kingston representative" on my resume, now. Every little bit of experience helps, you know?

I am exhausted, but oh so happy. Two more days? Bring it on.

Love,
lvp

Home is wherever I feel like it is.

I will never forget the first literature class I had in college. I remember looking around at the room full of people who were openly admitting they had an acute interest in books and knowing that I was one of them, that I belonged. These were my people.

That is how I feel here already, and I have literally been to the airport, my hotel room, and the grocery store. Because the sense of belonging that I feel has nothing to do with the place I am and everything to do with the people I am with. I'm staying with Kelli and Carrie, and let me tell you: they rock. So welcoming, so interesting, so kind. I have already learned so much in one evening, and I cannot wait to see what the rest of the week has in store.

Now if I could just figure out which outfit to wear tomorrow, we'd be in great shape...

Love,
lvp

The Adventure Continues

I know it has been a while, but Tony told me to never apologize for not blogging. So don't expect an apology.

I intended to blog about my 10-day trip to Guatemala, and I'm sure at some point, I will share photos and stories with you. But for now, I have some exciting news related to my semester abroad in London.

On May 6th, I received a phone call from the EuroLearn office telling me I had won the Alumna of the Year Award. Words cannot possibly explain how much I had hoped to win this award, and how excited I was when I found out I actually had. I was in shock and disbelief, but I felt this incredible sense of belonging. You see, receiving this award from GlobaLinks means that I go to Vancouver for the annual NAFSA conference. NAFSA is the Association of International Educators, and the conference is a giant meeting of study abroad programs from all over the world. Since realizing, about a year ago, that working in the study abroad industry was exactly what I wanted to do with my life, I knew that being able to attend NAFSA would be a massive step in the right direction. Knowing that I am going gives me an even greater feeling that I am doing the right thing.

You can watch my application video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6fOltlxnD8

I leave for Vancouver tomorrow, and I am both nervous and excited. I've spent the past two weeks preparing--adding clothing to my professional wardrobe, writing my speech for the GlobaLinks luncheon, tightening my resume--and it is all coming to fruition when I get on that plane for Canada. I am so looking forward to meeting the GlobaLinks and EuroLearn staff, many of whom I have emailed and spoken to on the phone, but have never gotten to meet. I know that I will be meeting some incredible people at the conference, and I do not really know how to prepare for these encounters, except to be humble, eager to learn, and an excellent listener. I believe that the Lord has gone before me, just as He did in London, and prepared everything. Any connections that are made, jobs that are offered, or opportunities that are given will be because of Him, and I have already begun to thank Him for what He is going to do in Canada.

I am honored to represent EuroLearn and GlobaLinks as the Alumna of the Year, and I cannot possibly express my gratitude in having the chance to attend NAFSA and dip my feet in the international education industry. I will try to update you while I am there, but definitely expect a post when I return.

Thanks for reading, friends.

Love,
lvp

It had to happen eventually.

Last night, for the first time, I cried because I missed London.

It wasn't a sob fest. Silent tears, rather. But the ache in my stomach was so strong that I had no choice but to let the tears go. I think one of the reasons the pain of missing this place is so acute is because I know that, even if I go back, it will not be the same. 

I was recently presented with an opportunity to apply for a Model UN trip, through my university, to Oxford, England. The trip lasts for six days, and is paid for by the university. I debated whether or not to apply, but decided against it for several reasons. First of all, I don't feel equipped to represent my school in an official forum. Second of all, I think that it would be difficult for me to return to England on such a tight schedule, as a tourist, and on someone else's agenda--not to mention, to be fairly far from London and Kingston. Third of all, I would have to be dragged out of the country after only six days. And I think that I would spend the rest of my senior year depressed that I wasn't back there. 

That being said, there is almost no question in my mind that I will go back to London for graduate school. I have a lot of research to do in terms of the financial situation, but I am determined. And you know what they say about where there's a will...

As a side note, I would like to add that, after a little bit of adjusting, I am thrilled to be back in Charlotte, at Queens, with the people who have helped shape me over the last several years. It's also helpful that I get to see some of my London friends every now and then; it's just one of those things that makes me feel a little bit closer to the place I miss so desperately. 

If the money in my bank account didn't equal the cost of a plane ticket to England, I would have bought one already.

Love,

lvp