Why 27 before 27?

London, Spring 2007

I've gotten a few question regarding the title of this blog, "27 Before 27." The title of blog stems from my goal to visit 27 countries before my 27th birthday in July. Now, am I starting at 0 countries and plan to visit all 27 countries this spring while working with Semester at Sea? The answer is no. I am fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to study abroad twice during my time as an undergraduate at Central College. I spent one semester in London, England, and one semester in Hangzhou, China. In addition, I also completed a short-term study abroad program during my graduate studies at SIT.

Spending a whole academic year abroad in undergrad and traveling again during grad school has allowed me the opportunity to visit many places. So, wondering where I've been? Here's my list, in no particular order:

(1) Canada, (2) Mexico, (3) England, (4) Scotland, (5) Ireland, (6) France, (7) Spain, (8) Belgium, (9) the Netherlands, (10) Norway, (11) Italy, (12) Switzerland, (13) China, (14) New Zealand, (15) Australia, (16) Costa Rica, (17) Barbados, and last but not least (18) Trinidad and Tobago.

SIT Spring I Term in Barbados & Trinidad, Spring 2013

Here are the new countries I'll add by working for Semester at Sea this spring:

(19) Japan, (20) Vietnam, (21) Singapore, (22) Burma, (23) India, (24) Mauritius, (25) South Africa, (26) Ghana, and (27) Morocco.

China, Fall 2008

Now, I don't put these lists up to boast about my travel experiences. In fact, this might be the first time I've ever publicly stated how many countries I've visited in my short, nearly 27-year-lifetime. The reason I don't mention "my list" is because I've been told in the past that it makes me look like "a rich, white girl who traveled around Europe on Daddy's dollar." (This is an exact statement told to me by another international education professional and it has forever scarred me because it is far from the truth.)

The reason I put up this list is because travel is my passion. I caught the travel bug while studying abroad in London and never looked back. Some people ride motorcycles, some are foodies and others prefer the outdoors and hiking. I travel.

So if you enjoy traveling as much as I do, I hope "my list" motivates you. It only takes one small step and you're off on your next adventure. What's the next place on "your list" and when will you go?

Need some ideas? Check out travel lists like this one (I scored 32). What's your score?

One month to go!

One month from today, I will be embarking on an exciting adventure and it's been requested by many friends and family members that I keep a blog. So, welcome to my first personal blog post...ever! When telling others of my upcoming adventure, I've gotten many strange looks and confused questions. So, I thought I'd use this first blog post to clear a few things up. Here are a list of common questions I've received with my responses:

So Whitney, what are you doing with your life these days?
I am working at Semester at Sea as an Assistant Field Office Coordinator. Semester at Sea is affiliated with the University of Virginia and is located in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Wait, I thought you were in Vermont now?
After working at Central College Abroad for about 18 months, I decided it was time to go back to school. I am in the midst of a obtaining a Master's in International Education from SIT Graduate Institute. SIT is located in Brattleboro, Vermont.

SIT's program is a bit different than other two-year grad programs in that it's split into two parts: for the first year, I took classes on campus in Vermont. During the second year of the program, I have to complete a practicum which is like an internship. My practicum is with Semester at Sea in Charlottesville, VA. While I'm completing my practicum, I'm also enrolled in online classes and have to write my capstone paper which is sort of like a thesis. I plan to complete my capstone and graduate from SIT in May 2014.

So your big adventure is moving to Virginia?! I don't understand.
No, Virginia is not the big adventure! My practicum is split into two parts: this fall, for the first half of the practicum, I am working in the Semester at Sea Charlottesville office. This spring, during the second half of the practicum, I'll work on Semester at Sea's study abroad program which happens to take place on a ship.

A ship? So you mean this Semester at Sea thing is a cruise?
No. In fact, Semester at Sea folks get a little antsy if "Semester at Sea" and "cruise" are used in the same sentence! Semester at Sea is a comparative study abroad program (comparative in that the program travels to many countries in one semester rather than a traditional study abroad program which travels to just one). Students take classes on the ship while it travels around the world and visits 10-15 countries. The ship acts as a floating campus, with faculty, staff, students and crew living and learning together.

I'll be working on the ship as a staff member. My job is in the field office and I'll be coordinating field labs and field programs. Field labs are like field trips that students do in-port with their professors. Field programs are for-purchase programs that the shipboard community can participate in in-port.

Oh, ok. So where are you going?
This is where it gets exciting! Here's my route:

Spring 2014 Voyage - Kinda small, I know!

In 112 days, I'll visit 16 cities in 12 countries including:

1. Hilo, Hawaii
2. Yokohama, Japan
3. Kobe, Japan
4. Shanghai, China
5. Hong Kong, China
6. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
7. Singapore, Singapore
8. Rangoon, Burma
9. Cochin, India
10. Port Louis, Mauritius
11. Cape Town, South Africa
12. Tema (Accra), Ghana
13. Takoradi, Ghana
14. Casablanca, Morocco
15. Southampton (London), England

This sounds amazing! When do you leave?

I board the MV Explorer in San Diego on January 8! One month from today! I hope you enjoy following this blog as I post updates and pictures from around the world!