A Farewell to GoAbroad & An Open Letter to STA Travel

It's been nearly a year since I've updated What Would Jane Do (apologies on that front) but it seems there's no better way to make a comeback than by sharing one of the biggest and most recent announcements regarding my life:

After nearly four years with my GoAbroad family, it's with bittersweet emotions that I announce my departure as Outreach Manager (aka: Roadshow Veteran, Obsessive Tweeter, Excessive Jewelry-Wearer, and General Troublemaker) in the GoAbroad US office.  

Tuesday Travel Inspiration: Road Warrior Glam

Not too long ago, I shared a post showcasing 7 ways to amp up your wardrobe. As I've been traveling throughout this spring, I've been on the lookout for even more ways to rock an outfit without sacrificing too much space in my carry on.

From air travel to road trips, traveling for business can make it difficult to only pack the necessities. At least, it's difficult for me as I'm a recovering over-packer trying to make it as a carry-on-only traveler. I know I'll need the slacks and blouse, but what about an outfit for the reception afterwards, or for a night spent relaxing at a low-key pub? What if I need comfy clothes for the long haul drive back home, or for getting a morning workout in? And don't even get me started on the jewelry.

Sure, I get that not everyone is this kind of traveler. But for me, dressing for success is part of what helps to inspire a rockstar attitude. If I love what I'm wearing, and feel comfortable in the outfit, I'm ready to take on a long day of meetings, presentations, or chat with students on campus all day.

So for today's #TravelTuesday inspiration, we're going to dive into some fashion tips for all the road warriors out there. The most important lesson to take away from these before we even get started: make them work for YOU. As unique as our style of travel may be, so are the ways we rock an outfit. Get creative, make it your own, and keeping on doing you, boo boo.

Geronimo! 26 Tips to Feel Inspired By Life

I was originally going to write this post from the focus of how the songs on One Direction's new album can be applied to life, but I had a firm talking to the 12 year old girl inside of me, and we opted to leave that one for the pages of our diary. The one that my sisters will likely find and read out loud. Typical. But seriously, "Story of My Life"….I can't even.

Instead, I'm letting a project I participated in the other night guide the inspiration for this post. For those who know me, I'm not a fan of setting new resolutions at the start of a new year simply for the sake of doing so. I much prefer the ones that transcend 365 days. At the same time, there is something to be said for being actively involved in any goals, be them new ones or old ones, we set for ourselves.

The other night I got together with some friends to compile a "vision" board and it was an eye-opening experience. The point is to create something that helps you visualize and manifest your goals/dreams. Not to mention, you can appease your own 12 year old girl by creating a collage of magazine cutouts.

Beyond the fun aspect, though, it got me thinking about my future and reflecting on the past, and appreciating the moments that fill the gaps between those two. With those goals and reflections in mind, I've compiled a list of tips I find helpful to appreciating all that life throws your way. As I just celebrated my 26th birthday, we're going with that number. Brace yourself. Excessive adjectives and touchy-feely emotions ahead.

Tuesday Travel Inspiration: Unity

There are things that happen in life that can break us, make us, beat us down, and help us to rise again. Through each experience, it helps to have a hand to hold or a shoulder to lean on; especially when the going gets rough. And if there was ever a time to band together, it would be now, when stories of survival and strength continue to pour in regarding Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.

I've written briefly about this disaster and its impact on my colleagues at GoAbroad.com, but today I'd like to get a bit more personal.

With so many crazy things that happen in this world, it's easy to become desensitized to all that we read about, or hear from others about. It's another thing entirely when those you hold close to your heart experience these situations firsthand. It can make you feel helpless, a little bit angry (or a lot), and wondering what you can possibly say to express the depth of your emotions.

Yet, in the face of these circumstances, it's often those who lived it who inspire you to be stronger, to be more hopeful, and to keep a smile on your face. 

Tuesday Travel Inspiration: Hope

I've been thinking a lot about hope lately.

In the wake of all that has happened in the Philippines following Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda), and its impact on my friends and colleagues there, clinging to hope has become a source of motivation and keeping a positive attitude.

Hope is what I reached for when we lost communication with our GoAbroad Asia offices during the storm, when word started trickling in regarding staff safety, and as I viewed image after image of the sheer devastation done to the country.

It was heartbreaking to see and hear about things from thousands of miles away; I don't even begin to imagine what it must have been like for those who lived it. I still struggle to even know how to write about this. I can only send my hopes for recovery, trusting in the strength that defines the Filipino people, and all the volunteers providing on the ground relief support.

Thus, it seems appropriate that today's #TravelTuesday be about the hope that guides us - through the good times and through the darker ones.

Girl in Transition: Two Years & Counting

"Some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again."    

- C.S. Lewis

I've always loved that quote. I like to think that as you get older, it's discovering the magic in reality that makes for a true fairy tale. If we can discover the happy endings in every obstacle and challenge that comes our way, it's safe to say that one never really has to outgrow fairy tales.

Earlier this week, I marked my two year anniversary with GoAbroad.com and it's been a fairy tale of the best variety - filled with ups, downs, moments that made me laugh and cry, and the kind of learning that comes with a job you truly love.

Working in international education isn't everything I imagined it might be - it's more. It's more work, more persistence, and more passion than even someone as obsessed as myself thought it would be. And I'm not even close to done learning or connecting with others who dedicate themselves to international education opportunities. 

This is what they call a girl in transition. Or something like that. And on this #ThrowbackThursday, I'm jumping back to take a look at two of the biggest lessons I've learned about international education so far. Grab your coffee or tea. It's about to get all sorts of introspective up in here.

Three Reasons It's Okay to Make Mistakes With Your Job

It it a truth universally acknowledged that nothing ever goes according plan. 

The same can be said of your job responsibilities and projects not always turning out the "right" way.

And you know what? That is perfectly okay. More than that, it's my thought that you SHOULD have moments of failure and falling down - thus learning what it takes to stand up, brush your behind off, and try again. Or in some cases, try again and again and again.

Before you head into your weekend plans, be them exciting adventures or low-key relaxing, let's take a look at three reasons why making mistakes with your job is a good thing, and how they allow you to become a better employee and thought-leader in your field.


At the very least, these should help when you arrive back at the office on Monday morning ;)

Where Creativity Meets Study Abroad: An Interview with Atlas Sliced

Are you looking to launch your career in the field of international education? Are you applying to jobs left and right, and wondering when your big break is going to come along? I know the feeling. I had similar thoughts constantly running through my head as I was trying to break into the world of study abroad. 

If you're on the brink of frustration and impatience, I have a word of advice for you: don't give up. Not yet. Not when the fruits of your labor will be as sweet as you imagine them to be. And certainly not when you owe it to yourself to turn your dreams into reality. 

Rather than fold like a deck of cards, consider adding more creativity to your job search. Find a way to stand out that's true to who you are and what you're passionate about. Easier said than done, I know, but if you want something bad enough - like working in international education - you'll tap into that internal well of motivation. It might just be the gold mine that leads to your success.

To help add a bit more inspiration to your efforts, I'd like to share a video interview I recently took part in with the amazing Alexa Hart of Atlas Sliced. The interview covers my own approach to launching a career in international education, and how creativity was the key to my success.  

If you aren't familiar with the site, Atlas Sliced is the ONLY travel web show that serves up advice on how to live and work abroad long-term. The goal of the interview-based show is to inspire, inform/educate, and motivate people to take action to fulfill their own travel dreams. 

I hope that my story helps you to keep thinking outside the box, and to remember that no matter where your journey may lead, the most important part is enjoying yourself along the way. Happy Travels!
 

A is for Asia, B is for Bring it!

That's right folks, What Would Jane Do is headed for Asia today (the Philippines to be exact) for a much anticipated work conference! After a full season of domestic travel, it will be brought full circle with this international jaunt. 

Added to that, I've been looking forward to finally meeting coworkers I've only ever communicated with through email and Skype - and the day has at last arrived. The only thing more excited than me may be my passport - to say it's thrilled to be out of hiding is an understatement. And yes, I just gave my passport human-like characteristics. Deal with it. An overactive imagination combined with very little sleep will do that.

With layovers in San Francisco, Hawaii, and Guam, it's going to be a verrrrrry long day of travel before we arrive in Manila. There will be photos to come following the conclusion of our 10 days in the country, so stay tuned for updates! In the meantime, here's wishing you all a very happy post-Thanksgiving weekend. If it was anything like mine, it was filled with all sorts of good food and even better memories - including the part where I decided I was athletic and walked away with minor bruises after playing some good ol' night frisbee. The fact that my father calls me an "academic athlete" for more reason than one is never going to take hold, I suppose.... ;)

Happy travels!

Too Cool for School? Ya, Try Again

It's nearing the end of the fall travel season for me, and I've been thinking a lot about kids.

Whoa, what? Back up, hold the phone….what does that even mean?

Let me give you some context as an appetizer: I've always believed that there are so many amazing things to be learned from kids, particularly those entering that stage of becoming a teenager. 

And I'm not just referring to the latest lingo or acronym--despite how ridiculously addictive I find "YOLO." What I'm referring to surpasses 'nbd' 'ttyl' or any other urban dictionary addition I've overlooked.

Let's be honest with ourselves - we all are intimately familiar with the awkward transition from 'child' to 'teenager.' (Thank you, mom, for refusing to let me paint my bedroom walls that neon lime green I was like, sooooo in "love" with. No, really...Thank you.) 

Terrible taste in colors aside, the changing idea of 'self' that accompanies becoming a teenager is amazing. It's a time of learning about who you are, making mistakes you'll laugh at (hopefully) years later, and opening your eyes to the world around you.

During one of my recent travels, I had the chance to chat with a group of young teens in middle school about study abroad and international education opportunities, and it blew my mind in more ways than one. See where I'm going with this thinking about kids thought? Awesome. Enough with the appetizer. Let's dig into this entree.

If Happiness is a State of Mind, Why Change It?

They aren't kidding when they say time will fly when you aren't paying attention. I've heard that saying more times then I can count--and certainly believe it--but I never truly understood it until recently.

A little over six months ago I arrived to Colorado from California to start an exciting new career, and build upon the amazing experiences I'd already accumulated. Some days, it feels like no time has passed at all; on others, it seems like just yesterday that I was pulling up with a U-Haul to my new apartment. In between that spectrum, there are a range of memories and moments I wouldn't trade for anything.

The question is, though, if you've “arrived” to where you've worked your a%* off to be, what's next? How do you sustain the happiness and success you've found? Is it even possible? Here is my answer to that: 

Back in Black...Metaphorically Speaking

As you may have noticed (or not noticed if you don't even read this blog!), it's been a good couple of months since my last post. What started as a short break in order to focus on my new job at GoAbroad.com quickly became a challenge to even keep up with!

If you know me at all, though, it's these kind of challenges that I thrive the most with. That being said, I will be back tomorrow with a new post about all the occurrences and lessons learned over the last couple of months. It's been a roller coaster ride of discovery and emotional ups and downs---pretty typical I suppose when you're still trying to find your way in the world. 

In the meantime, you can find me over writing on the GoAbroad Blog where I get my fix of talking about all things travel related, and working with other bloggers who feel the same! Looking forward to reuniting with the blogosphere SOON :)

Travel Lessons from an Amateur Road Warrior

Ah travel, how loveable you are--at least most of the time

Have you ever made a mistake that you thought had a simple solution, yet it came back to bite you in the you-know-where at least a few times? Oh yes, we've all been there. And as I've discovered, it usually happens when you think you've got everything handled. Is it just me, or is it really starting to stink of irony in here?

After my latest adventures to Virginia and Georgia for study abroad fair visits, there is one very important lesson that I have been reminded of:

DO NOT MISS YOUR FLIGHTS 

...But if you do, make sure you have a self-depreciating sense of humor to handle the roller coaster of emotions ahead...

International Education Week, Around the Mountain She Comes!

New business cards for the new job!

I'm quickly realizing it's harder than I thought to keep up with my personal blog, in addition to my new job responsibilities. If I thought I previously knew what time management was, this new venture is certainly making me work hard to prove it's the truth. Like every challenge, though, I wouldn't have it any other way. Where would the fun be in that?

But enough about me! I'm excited to help spread the word with this particular post about the upcoming 2011 International Education Week. If you've never heard of it, this week is an opportunity to promote international education and exchange worldwide. Like every other professional working in the international education industry, this week is a big one to look forward to. Why? Read on to find out!

Life, Advice & Travels from the Rockies

The colors of Colorado...shining bright even at sunset

Welcome to the fourth week of my new adventure of living and working in the scenic foothills of Colorado.

As you may have noticed, I've been a bit off the grid lately (at least as far as this blog is concerned). The reason for that can be attributed to the busyness of my new job with GoAbroad, settling in to a new apartment and generally trying to find my feet in this new place I'm calling home. Of course, there have been moments of being overwhelmed, nights where I jerk awake with a "where am I?" feeling and even more occasions of wandering solo about town. There is something amazing about each of these feelings, though: they are balanced by the fact that I'm finally getting to do what I love for a living and meeting some amazing people along the way.

No way can I complain about that.

NAFSA 2011: What Dreams Are Made Of

The Expo Hall in Vancouver

Thanks to repeated viewings of Jiminy Cricket in Pinocchio as a child, I used to believe that wishing on a star could make all dreams come true. I may be older now, but a shooting star still has the power to make me catch my breath. The only difference is that I know I can't leave all the hard work to the stars.

Over the course of the last year I've learned a lot of lessons, taken a few knocks and met some amazing people along the way. It's been a roller coaster ride of experiences, where fulfilling my dreams has required dedicated effort, patience and a strong belief in self. I never could have imagined, though, how striving towards the future would fulfill one particular dream long held: attending the Annual NAFSA Conference. And to think I was worried about the Blue Fairy never showing up with her magic wand--it turns out she wasn't needed after all.