"Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world." - G. Flaubert
Back to Asia for Research! [Summer 2023]
After finishing my Masters, it was time for one final adventure before starting full-time work! Off to southeast Asia to build robots and acquire data on bat flight.
Singapore (round 2)
Does it get any better??Second time in this city and I fell IN LOVE.
Incredible public transit, gorgeous college campus (NUS), friendly people, city and greenscape hybrid, beaches and recreation. NUS Marine Robotics program on point Jewel @ Changi Airport always hits Cheap food at the Hawker's Center Clarke Quay, Barbary Coast to party Sentosa to swim and relax with a Corona Night Safari at the Zoo to get up close and personal with bats, rhinos, and more! Next time, get tickets for the Marina Bay Sands Observation Deck ahead of time!! 16August2023 |
Miri, Malysia
Cheap CheersAcross the Brunei border (2hrs)
Cheap, cost-effective shopping, food, and drinks Head to Ming's and Clubby (Meritz Hotel) to dance and meet locals TAVN, Churchill's, and Hot Pot in Times Square Niah Caves next time! Be sure to visit the Korean Restaurant by the Pullman Hotel. 25June2023 & 8July2023 |
Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam
Abode of PeaceBio-inspired research project with Virginia Tech
Muslim country that is very accepting and chill Beautiful mosques downtown to visit Speed boat down Kampong Ayer river to spot Proboscis monkeys Berakas beach + Meragang beach to swim Watch the sunset at Empire Hotel Dive wrecks with Poni Divers in Muara Day trip to Tutong for the Canopy Walk Snorkel at Pelong Rock Lugu Lake for freshwater recreation and rental shacks Gotta do a Kuala Lurah run... 28May2023 - 13Aug2023 |
Grad School Expeditions [Fall 2021 - Spring 2023]
While working towards an MS in Ocean Engineering, found snippets of time for adventures. Spent two weeks on a research cruise, a week seeing the Pyramids and scuba diving, a week fishing in Alaska, and a week (before grad school) soaking up the sun and shredding some waves in Costa Rica!
Cairo, Egypt
Diving n' Pyramids
Couple days in Giza to see the Pyramids
There's actually NINE pyramids, but 3 large ones Go inside the two biggest to see tombs National Museum of Egyptian Civilization to see MUMMIES! Flew to Marsa Alam to scuba dive on liveaboard 16 dives in the Red Sea, extreme wind conditions Advanced Open Water Certification! Flew out of Hurghaga Very scammy feel, everyone just wants your money, travelers beware! Spring Break - 9March2021 |
Various US Destinations [Summer 2020 - Summer 2021]
After graduating with my BS in engineering, I moved to New Mexico! Managed a little time to see friends and family stateside.
Painted Desert & Grand Canyon
Southwest inSanity
Painted Desert / Petrified Forrest
Absolute MUST stop on I-40 See petrified wood, shocking sand coloration Secure a backpacking permit and spend the night in the badlands for the ultimate outdoors experience! No fires. Grand Canyon Car camp in Grand Canyon Junction (just South of the park) Start EARLY when hiking, soak clothes to stay cool, salt tablets Bright Angel Trail -> River Resthouse and back 15.2mi (4 hours down, 6 hours up) Beware of the BRUTAL uphill... Painted Desert 26June2021 Grand Canyon 12July2021 |
Ozarks and Canyons
Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
On May 25th, 2019 I landed in Frankfurt, Germany. This started a seven-month international work assignment in a foreign country with zero friends. It is everything all at once... many highs mixed with many lows. The below posts highlight EU travel and photos.
If you are interested in learning about what's really going on...
Topics such as international work life, the USA/EU culture shift, language barriers, how to land a job abroad, and how to start a life somewhere completely new with no friends need to be discussed! I'm writing articles to cover a few topics, but I invite you to reach out to me directly at [email protected]! Happy to share the raw reality of life and work in a foreign country - world of difference between studying abroad!
Legal & Logistics: Moving Abroad
If you are interested in learning about what's really going on...
Topics such as international work life, the USA/EU culture shift, language barriers, how to land a job abroad, and how to start a life somewhere completely new with no friends need to be discussed! I'm writing articles to cover a few topics, but I invite you to reach out to me directly at [email protected]! Happy to share the raw reality of life and work in a foreign country - world of difference between studying abroad!
Legal & Logistics: Moving Abroad
But why live and work abroad?
Our world is becoming increasingly diverse. Communication and collaboration at work, as well as day-to-day interactions are with people from all over the world. I travel to understand culture, expand perspective, and challenge personal beliefs. Shout out to the many folks I have met and laughed with along the way!
Our world is becoming increasingly diverse. Communication and collaboration at work, as well as day-to-day interactions are with people from all over the world. I travel to understand culture, expand perspective, and challenge personal beliefs. Shout out to the many folks I have met and laughed with along the way!
EUROPE MAP 2019
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Kiev, Ukraine
Rugged Old RussiaDay trip to Chernobyl Nuclear Plant
(absorb as much radiation as an x-ray) Cheap Ukrainian cuisine, 4 EUR for a sit down restaurant Industrial vibe with lively night life Motherland statue (below), UNESCO Heritage site (left) Duga USSR secret radar station Insanely cold and windy - pack warmly! 23Nov19 |
Chefchauen & Fez, Morocco
Trepidatious ImmersionEverything all at once, every terrain, wildly busy, hidden beauties within
RyanAir flight to Fez, overnight trip to Sahara in Mazouga Blue Gate (right) and medina of 9,000 streets - careful at night Chefchauen (left both) city of blue, chill and friendly Ferry from Tangiers to Tarifa Spain Travelers: uneasy feelings, use caution, and do not travel as a solo woman 31Oct19 |
London, England
Global Grand Challenges Summit 2019300 Students from USA, UK, & China Student Co-Lab
GGCS2019 Conference discusses sustaining 10 Billion people in 2050, how AI will shape with future Gitanjali Rao - America's Top Young Scientist (right) 14 Grand Global Challenges 16Sept19 |
Brussels, Belgium
Chaotic Second HomeGlobal, hectic, welcoming community with pride
In your face culture, phallic imagery Best street food! frites/pommes, Mitraillette (right) Pee on St. Catherine's Church - it's encouraged Drink outdoors by the fountains with edgy teens EU Parliament Headquarters www.use-it.travel for best maps and what to do 20June19 |
Paris, France
Euro CentralStuffed with tourists, worth the visit
Eiffel Tower, walk along Seine River Students, EU Resident under 26 free entry Louvre Mona Lisa is no different in person 2-hour wait to see tons of bones at Catacombs Stellar subway system, Mije Hostel was great Learn a little French and you'll be good to go 15June19 |
Heidelberg, Germany
Temporary European Hometown
Traveler's ParadiseCrack a beer and lay next to the Neckar
Visit the historic Heidelberg Schloss Walk Hauptstraße, then cross the Old Bridge Ascend Königstuhl for a terrific view Summertime firework dates here 28June19 |
Spring Break 2019 - "Bros on the Roads" Trip
Chris and I needed to get away from the cold winter in Milwaukee; to the Toronto Tundra we went! The border guards did not believe that we were visiting for fun.
Southeast Asia - New Years into 2019
One of our close friends from college hails from Vietnam, we arranged a trip to visit during our senior year. Amazing food, safe, extraordinary culture and architecture. Bonus: my friend James and I were so white locals took photos of us and thought we were models. What more could we ask for? Worth a visit!
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam
Bustling Emergence Vietnam is the quintessential 2nd world country
Crazy new developments, large class divide Impressive Seafood and Meat preparation Visit the tunnels used in Vietnam War View history from the Communist perspective Visit the markets, get quality Pho and Bahn Mi Wearing masks before it was cool 12Jan20 |
Siem Reap, Cambodia
Underdeveloped GemWhat started as an unsettling experience, ended as an awesome portion of the trip
Do not mistake undeveloped for unsafe! People are genuine and hospitable, cheap food $0.50 beers, $1 entrees = livin' the dream Main Attraction: Angkor Wat (Indiana Jones) Pub Street for markets and cheap massages Take your Malaria pills!! 10Jan19 |
Bangkok, Thailand
Buddha ParadiseThai Airlines is excellent!
Can walk for hours through palaces and temples Meals along the Chao Phraya River Everything here is a spectacle! Wild restaurants and partying along Khao San Road Nana Plaza if you're into that Zing around the city on a tuk-tuk or motorcycle Good food and markets at Asiatique (a bit Westerny) 40 ft. long Buddha statue (bottom left) 4Jan19 |