After watching my dad hammer and duct tape up my suitcase – lovingly dubbed “Big Bertha” by my sisters and I about 12 years ago – I was ready to go.

A four plane ride, and a three hour bus ride up a mountain, and we arrived at UGA Costa Rica.

I am so excited to be here and start my classes. I an taking a field photography class – so expect lots of photos, and an environmental journalism class. I feel like this is a huge step in the right direction for me and where I want to go.

I am also participating in a home stay for three days with a family here in Monteverde, and am nervous (due to my lack of spanish skills) but also so excited to experience a new culture and language.

A few random things:

1.Shout out to Delta for being so sustainable and recycling/using paper boxes. My environmentalist self was so excited when they separated them and recycled them.

2. I had a roach in my bed last night. I had a dream that there was a spider in my bed, which woke me up to see a roach. In the spirit of nature and conservation, I knocked him on the floor and switched beds.

3. We went on a hike this morning – for anyone who went hiking with me in Australia: I got new boots and I didn’t fall! Be proud.

4. The views are insane here.

5. We are literally in the middle of nowhere out here. The stars are incredible. I’m wanting to do yoga under the stars and feel at one with the cosmos. (Shoutout to my yoga instructor at UGA for making me love it.)

6. I was originally dreading traveling with a group, but I’m really happy to be with some familiar faces and have people to talk to! I got lucky with some awesome roommates.

All I know is I’m glad to be here and I can’t wait for all the adventures to follow.