510.1 million km². That is the surface area of this truly spectacular planet we call home. At any given moment we may only directly influence and experience a minuscule fraction of this, but true to the domino effect, our actions carry a much larger impact than we may realize. I thoroughly enjoy being immersed into new cultures, families, ideas, and cultures, experiencing different ways of life, values, customs, governments, forms of respect, food, smells, schools, nature, and so much more.
I was born in Alabama and raised in Northern Virginia, with a large extended family spread across the United States. In the past few years I have had the extraordinary privilege to travel great distances to delve into new cultures, meet new people, teach, live, love, and create little homes everywhere I go.
My first trip abroad (alone) was to Costa Rica in December 2010. I remember coming home and telling my family I had never been happier. After a mere 10-day-volunteer-trip I was happily infected by the legendary travel bug. Next, I spent Summer 2011 volunteering in schools in townships around Kommetjie, South Africa. I returned to the University of Alabama for one final Fall (football, Roll Tide) Semester and was off to Howick, New Zealand January-June of 2013 to complete my student teaching and graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education.
Immediately following my undergraduate studies I studied for one year in Nashville, Tennessee at Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College for a Masters of Education in Learning, Diversity, and Urban Studies. Now, I have moved to Siem Reap, Cambodia to teach Kindergarten Reading for one- possibly two- years at non-profit school.
I realize the great privilege it is to spend extended periods of time in different countries and hope to represent my home country (USA) well by participating in and contributing to local communities and efforts respectfully and responsibly wherever I may be. This blog will allow me to share experiences with friends, family, and strangers abound but more importantly it provides a space of reflection on my time living and teaching abroad.
Any questions, comments, concerns, or words of wisdom are welcomed at 510millionblog@gmail.com
Cheers!
510million 