Global Perspective

How travel, culture, and international business shape the way I approach marketing

My global perspective is rooted in curiosity — about people, culture, communication, and the way identity shapes decision-making. Through studying abroad in Madrid, traveling across 10+ countries, and completing international business strategy projects, I’ve learned to approach marketing with cultural awareness, adaptability, and a deeper understanding of how people connect with brands across different markets.

Sunset view of a hillside city with white buildings, visible from a rooftop terrace with colorful pillows.

What Global Perspective Means to Me

Cultural Awareness

Understanding how values, traditions, language, and identity influence the way people respond to brands.

Consumer Behavior

Noticing how people shop, communicate, gather, travel, eat, dress, and make decisions across different environments.

Brand Adaptability

Learning how brands can stay authentic while adjusting messaging, visuals, and strategy for different audiences.

Experiences That Shaped My Perspective

A blend of academic research, cultural immersion, and independent travel helped shape the way I approach marketing, strategy, and consumer behavior.

Madrid: Learning Through Immersion

Studying abroad in Madrid changed the way I viewed business, culture, and communication. Being surrounded by a new language, lifestyle, and pace of life helped me understand how deeply culture influences everyday decisions — from what people buy to where they gather and how they experience brands.

What it taught me:

Cultural awareness, adaptability, independence, and a deeper understanding of global consumer behavior.

Strategy Projects: Turning Curiosity Into Research

My international business projects gave structure to that curiosity. I researched global markets, entry strategies, regulations, payment systems, and consumer behavior across different regions. These projects helped me practice turning cultural and economic research into strategic recommendations.

What it taught me:

Market research, strategic thinking, competitive analysis, cross-cultural business, and global market evaluation.

Travel: Becoming a Better Observer

Independent travel taught me to notice the small things: how restaurants create atmosphere, how cities use design, how people move through public spaces, and how local businesses communicate identity. Those observations continue to shape how I think about storytelling, branding, and consumer experience.

What it taught me:

Observation, curiosity, flexibility, storytelling, and the ability to recognize how culture shapes consumer decisions.

How This Shows Up In My Work

  • I look beyond surface-level trends to understand why people think, choose, and connect the way they do.

  • I consider how language, values, lifestyle, and identity shape communication and marketing strategy.

  • I understand that audiences are different, and effective marketing should feel relevant, thoughtful, and human.

  • I bring visual storytelling, consumer insight, and global awareness into the way I approach brand-building.

Mastercard EEMEA B2B Payment Strategy

A strategic consulting-style project analyzing Mastercard’s opportunity to expand B2B payment solutions across EEMEA freight and logistics, with recommendations around market entry, fintech partnerships, regulatory fit, and digital payment adoption.

View Full Project

Spain Country Analysis For Business Integration

A country analysis exploring Spain’s business environment, cultural communication styles, consumer behavior, infrastructure, and economic opportunities to evaluate market attractiveness and international business potential.

View Full Project

Global Work Samples

Germany Market Entry Strategy

A hypothetical international business strategy project analyzing Germany’s real estate market, cultural considerations, regulatory environment, and market entry opportunities.

View Full Project

UAE Business Climate Research Paper

A business climate analysis exploring the UAE’s market attractiveness, cultural environment, investment opportunities, free trade zones, and strategic role as a global hub for multinational business expansion.

View Full Project

Market Integration Sweden

A market integration project analyzing Sweden’s business environment, cultural values, and consumer positioning opportunities through SWOT analysis, portfolio analysis, and perceptual mapping.

View Full Project

Investment In Africa; USA vs China

A geopolitical analysis comparing U.S. and Chinese investment in Africa, with a focus on Nigeria, infrastructure development, transparency, cultural preservation, and the risks of neocolonial influence.

View Full Project

Below are snapshots of my global journey — places where I explored culture, learnt how people think and live differently, and discovered how those insights influence marketing. From Europe to Asia, each destination deepened my understanding of people, markets, and communication across borders.

Colorful interior of the Sagrada Familia with stained glass windows and intricate architectural details.
Young woman smiling at camera with long braids and headphones, standing in front of Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain, holding a food container and showing her wrist with colorful bracelets, with cars and people on the street.
A smiling young woman wearing sunglasses and headphones taking a selfie at Park Güell in Barcelona, Spain, with colorful mosaic structures and a cityscape in the background.
A woman standing inside a large, historic cathedral or church with tall, arched ceilings, stone walls, and ornate metal gates, during evening or night time.
View of Sagrada Familia through a stained glass window with blue, yellow, and green patterns, and a city street with trees and buildings in Barcelona.
Colorful, ornate ceiling and wall detailing, with blue, gold, and black patterns, and a stained glass window featuring bright colors.
A grand chandelier hanging from a ceiling with patterned texture, with a window showing silhouettes of people outside.
Young woman taking a selfie inside a grand, historic building with tall, twisted columns, chandeliers, and large windows, smiling with headphones and wearing a necklace.
Interior of a historic church or cathedral with high arched ceilings, ornate altar with religious paintings, and people walking inside.
Facade of a historic Baroque church with ornate stone carvings, statues, and a cross at the top, against a clear blue sky.
A young woman with long curly blonde hair, wearing sunglasses and noise-canceling headphones, smiling at the camera in an urban setting with ornate buildings and decorative light strings overhead on a sunny day.
Young woman with long hair wearing headphones and a leather jacket taking a selfie in art gallery featuring landscape paintings.
People gathered underneath and around a large historic brick archway with intricate stone carvings, set against a blue sky with scattered clouds, in a park or plaza.
Religious paintings depicting scenes from the Bible, including Jesus Christ and his apostles, framed and displayed on a gallery wall.
Facade of a historical cathedral with elaborate sculptures, columns, and decorative stonework.
Young woman with long curly hair, wearing sunglasses and headphones, smiling in a city square with historic buildings and decorative street lights overhead.
The Palau de les Arts opera house in Valencia, Spain, with its modern, curved architecture, white exterior, and a reflective water pool with the building's name displayed in large white letters.
The Museum of Arts and Sciences building with distinctive modern architecture featuring repeated white structural elements, located beside a reflecting pool against a clear blue sky.
A young woman taking a selfie in an ornate, luxurious room with gold accents, chandeliers, and classical sculptures.
The Colosseum in Rome, Italy, viewed from the street with pedestrians crossing the road and a sky with scattered clouds overhead.
White plastic shopping bag filled with small, orange fruits on a concrete surface next to a beige bench and a brick pavement.
Cityscape with a mix of tall and short buildings, green trees in the foreground, and mountains in the background under a partly cloudy blue sky.
A scenic view of the ocean with a bright sun reflecting off the water, a blue sky with a few clouds, and a stone structure on the right side overlooking the water.
Smiling woman wearing sunglasses and large headphones taking a selfie on a stone structure overlooking a beach with clear blue water.
People walking on a city trail in an urban area with buildings and hills in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
A smiling young woman wearing sunglasses and headphones taking a selfie on a balcony overlooking a cityscape with a hill and castle in the background.
Cityscape with numerous buildings, a hill to the left, a distant ocean, and a clear blue sky with a few clouds and bright sunlight.
Cityscape with colorful multi-story buildings, blue sky, and a person sitting on a bench in the foreground.
A busy street scene with tall palm trees, people walking, buildings on the hillside, and a clear blue sky with a few clouds.
Night view through an ornate arched window showing a cityscape with illuminated buildings and dark sky.
Nighttime view of a castle on a hill with trees in the foreground and the moon in the sky.
Photo of a white wall with graffiti and stickers, a tiled roof, and a distant hilly landscape under a blue sky with clouds.
A young woman taking a mirror selfie in a bedroom, with a bed and decorative wall art visible in the background.
Hilly residential neighborhood with houses and trees under a partly cloudy sky.
A smiling woman with sunglasses and headphones around her neck taking a selfie outdoors in a hilly area with trees, buildings, and a cloudy sky in the background.
A hillside neighborhood with white houses, trees, and a winding road under a clear blue sky with a bright sun.
Young woman with headphone, sunglasses, and a striped jacket taking a selfie outdoors with trees, buildings, and a hill in background.
Dirty wall with various torn and stained posters and paper remnants.
Empty chair on a dirt trail overlooking a cityscape with blue sky and scattered clouds.
Landscape of hilly terrain with scattered vegetation under a bright blue sky with clouds.
Cityscape view with numerous buildings and tall trees, under a blue sky with scattered clouds.
A courtyard with white arches, a tree with green leaves, and a brick building under a clear blue sky.
Ornate ceiling fresco in a grand baroque-style interior, featuring cherubs, angels, and mythological figures with gold accents and elaborate architectural details.
Urban street scene with multi-story buildings on both sides, pedestrians, and a car on the road under a blue sky with a small cloud.
A meal with a glass of red drink, a plate of grilled shrimp, and a plate of fried shrimp with dipping sauce on a table.
Group of young women enjoying drinks and conversation at a restaurant or cafe.
Close-up view of historic stone cathedral towers against a clear blue sky.
A small green fountain with water in the middle of a lush garden with trimmed bushes and flowering trees, surrounded by buildings and outdoor seating.
Fresh lobsters displayed on a counter in a seafood market, with handwritten signs and a person in a yellow shirt in the background.
Person fishing on a rocky shoreline with a boat in the distance on the water during cloudy weather.
Close-up of a white building with pastel pink, green, and yellow window frames and black balconies.
View of a stone lighthouse by the water with a clear blue sky
A metal gate with a warning sign attached, behind which birds can be seen perched on a branch. The sign indicates no pigeons are allowed.
Beach scene with blue sky, ocean, and trees including a tall pine
View from inside a cave overlooking a water body and a city skyline in the distance.
Dog lying on a small balcony outside a yellow building.
Historic buildings with palm trees and parked cars in foreground
A view of a shoreline with colorful buildings in the background and a stone seawall along the coast, under a cloudy sky.
A small, historic lighthouse or pavilion on stilts at the beach with a rounded, domed roof and a surrounding balcony, overlooking the sandy shoreline and ocean under a partly cloudy sky.
Beach with boats near a stone fort and a clear blue sky.
A smiling young woman with braided hair taking a selfie in front of the Skygarden in Seoullo 7017, a modern elevated park and walkway in Seoul, South Korea.
Decorative tile with a lion and building motifs, surrounded by a patterned border, set in a framed display on a pink wall.
A woman standing on a checkerboard floor in front of a historic building with large arched windows and columns.
View of a courtyard seen through an arched stone entrance, with manicured bushes and people walking in the background.
Two classical statues in niches and two busts on pedestals in a historic stone interior.
A historic building with arched walkways, decorative columns, and a rooftop with a weather vane under a clear blue sky.
White wall with a small street sign that reads "Antigua Rincón del Beso" and numerous lipstick kiss marks scattered on the lower part of the wall.
Three musicians seated on stage with two women standing in front of them, dancing and clapping, under warm stage lighting.
Young woman with a purse standing inside a large, historic cathedral with tall vaulted ceilings and intricate woodwork.
A cityscape with many tightly packed buildings, including domed and towered structures, under a cloudy sky.
Decorative ceramic planter with the words "LAS DUEÑAS" on it, placed on a white pedestal outdoors, with green trees and cacti in the background.
The image shows a modern architectural structure with a large, tree-like design, supported by multiple wooden or concrete beams, set against a blue sky with wispy clouds. There are some residential buildings in the background and a few people walking
Woman standing in a narrow alleyway decorated with blue flower pots and hanging plants, wearing sunglasses and holding a tote bag.
Wooden directional sign with arrows, mounted on a white wall, flanked by two blue flower pots.
A white wall decorated with numerous small terracotta and plastic plant pots holding various flowering and green plants.
Interior view of the Great Mosque of Córdoba, featuring striped red and white arches supported by stone columns
A smiling woman with braided hair taking a selfie in a park at sunset, with a river and illuminated historic building in the background, and groups of people sitting on the grass.
Sunset view of a historic city with a stone bridge over a river, illuminated buildings, and people walking in a park area.
Sunset over a city skyline with buildings along a river, silhouetted against the sky.
People standing and sitting in front of a historic yellow building with arched windows and balconies, under a clear blue sky.
Street sign reading 'Calleja del Salmorejo Cordobes' and a framed recipe poster on a white wall.
The Seville Cathedral tower with people walking along a tree-lined path leading to the cathedral entrance.
A cluttered desk with scattered papers, notebooks, and books.
A peach-colored building with white window shutters and small balconies with black railings, a streetlamp, and a tree partially covering the top corner.
A woman standing on the steps of a historic cathedral with Gothic architecture, pointed spires, and ornate stone details, under a clear blue sky.
A multi-story brick building with black balconies, situated on a city street, under a clear blue sky.
Nighttime city street view with lit streetlights and a visible moon in the dark sky.
A woman in a brown shirt and black beret standing on a city street at night, with illuminated buildings and streetlights in the background.
Five women sitting around a table in a restaurant, smiling at the camera.

Spain

Spain is the place that shaped my global perspective more than anywhere else. When I studied abroad in 2023, I learned as much from engaging with the culture as I did from my coursework. Improving my Spanish, forming relationships with locals, and adapting to new ways of living helped me grow both personally and professionally.

What stood out to me most was the diversity across regions — each city with its own history, traditions, and identity. I admired how strongly people value community, family, and their cultural heritage. That sense of pride and connection made Spain feel welcoming and familiar from the start.

Since that first experience, I’ve returned twice: once to spend New Year’s 2025 with friends I made abroad, and again for a two-month backpacking trip through Madrid, Sevilla, Córdoba, Cádiz, Málaga, Alicante, Granada, Valencia, and Barcelona. Each visit reinforced the same lessons: slow down, stay curious, and approach every culture with an open heart and open mind.

Spain continues to feel like a second home — a place that strengthened both my love for travel and my commitment to understanding the world through authentic cultural experiences.

A young woman wearing a beige headscarf and coat, standing inside the ornate Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, with white marble columns decorated with gold and floral patterns, and other visitors in the background.
Two women in traditional attire standing in front of an ornate mosque with white domes and tall arches.
Three women taking a selfie inside a building with ornate white columns decorated with floral patterns, golden accents, and chandeliers.
The image shows a white mosque with multiple domes and a tall minaret, with the sun setting behind it and partly cloudy skies.
White mosque with large domes and minarets under cloudy sky, with floral patterned marble floor in foreground.
A smiling young woman with a beige headscarf and a nose ring takes a selfie in front of the white marble architecture of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, with domes and arches in the background.
White mosque with domes and minarets, people walking outside, cloudy sky in the background.
Three friends taking a selfie in a luxurious, ornate setting with columns and decorative floral patterns on the walls. People in traditional Middle Eastern attire are seen in the background.
A woman standing in front of an ornate, gold, spherical art installation in a luxurious, patterned hall
A woman with long blonde hair, wearing sunglasses, blowing a kiss with her hand, standing in front of a white ornate building with domes, under a blue sky.
Modern building with a curved roof surrounded by water under a clear blue sky.
Two women taking a selfie by the water with modern buildings in the background.
Two women taking a selfie at night with a city skyline featuring tall, illuminated skyscrapers in the background.
Nighttime cityscape featuring the illuminated Burj Khalifa towering over other skyscrapers, with a smiling woman in the foreground by the water.
Three young adults smiling and taking a selfie in front of a wall with an orange geometric design made of numerous small circular elements.
A woman with long blonde hair, dressed in a black jacket, standing next to a decorative wall with the Facebook logo made of gold bricks.
View of a city skyline with tall modern skyscrapers and a parking lot in the foreground, as seen from an outdoor café table.
Two women sitting on a camel at a desert night with a group of people in the background.
Group of people standing and sitting on sand dunes in a desert, waving at the camera with a mountainous background.
Two people riding an ATV in a desert with sandy terrain and a clear sky.
Two people on a red ATV riding through a sandy desert landscape with rolling hills in the background. The woman is waving and smiling.
A young woman sitting cross-legged on a blanket with a white and orange cat, smiling at the camera, with a tiki hut background.
A woman with long blonde hair wearing sunglasses, a white top, and beige shorts, stands on a boat on a body of water with a city skyline in the background. She is smiling and holding onto a yellow pole.
Group of five young adults sitting on a bench outdoors, smiling and waving, with other people in the background on a pier or boardwalk.
Sun setting over sand dunes with a clear sky and lens flare.
Display of colorful spices and herbs in glass bowls and containers at market stall. Various spices like turmeric, paprika, and others are visible, with some in powdered form and others as whole seeds or pods. The stall is bustling and has signs adver
Group of six friends sitting at an outdoor restaurant table at night, smiling and enjoying each other's company.
Two young women smiling at night with city lights, a ferris wheel, and water in the background.
Skyline of Dubai with tall modern skyscrapers along a waterway, several boats on the water, and a slightly cloudy sky.
Business meeting or presentation in a conference room with people sitting around a large table, some taking notes, with a man standing at the front near a screen displaying slides.
A traditional Middle Eastern buffet setup with various dishes, plates, cups, and utensils arranged on a long table, with a woman standing in the background.
Group of people standing in front of a large digital screen at the Mastercard Experience Center, welcoming Saint Louis University.
A business presentation in a conference room at the Mohamed Bin Rashid School of Government, with a male presenter in a blue suit standing to the left, and a projection screen displaying Dubai's key statistics and rankings. Attendees are seated aroun
Group of young adults standing together on a city sidewalk with skyscrapers in the background, sunny weather, and palm trees.
Group of people sitting in a line inside a mosque, listening to a woman speaking.
Illuminated white letters spelling 'IFF' on a textured dark green wall.
Laboratory workbench with bottles of colorful drinks, a large water bottle, and laboratory equipment.
A group of business professionals sitting around a large conference table during a meeting in a modern office. There are water bottles, notebooks, and a laptop on the table, with a presentation projected on a screen at the front of the room.
A group of people standing in front of an ornate white building with domes and arches, likely a palace or mosque, under a clear blue sky.
Group of diverse people standing together in an office lobby decorated with a Christmas tree, posing for a photo.
Group of people posing in an office with a large LinkedIn logo and window view of city buildings.
A large Christmas tree decorated with multicolored ornaments, with people sitting and standing at the base, under a partly cloudy sky.
People attending a meeting or conference in a modern, well-lit room with plants and a large screen displaying a blue background and a white number '666'.
A woman in red presenting to a seated audience in a modern conference room with dark walls, circular ceiling lighting, and large screen displaying digital graphics.
Group of people standing in a library with bookshelves in the background.
People sitting cross-legged on a red carpeted floor around a long table with food and drinks in a traditional decorated room with arches and a decorated ceiling.
Outdoor banquet at night with many people seated at tables, illuminated by bright lights and a stage structure, under a dark sky with a visible moon.

United Arab Emirates

The UAE was one of my most eye-opening global experiences and a place that deeply strengthened my open-heart, open-mind approach to the world. In both Dubai and Abu Dhabi, I learned how culture, innovation, and tradition coexist in ways unlike anywhere else. During this immersion, I met with Mastercard EEMEA, the Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government, and the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Centre for Cultural Understanding, gaining firsthand insight into how regional culture and policy shape global business strategy. It’s also where I began my consulting project with Mastercard, analyzing B2B payments across 10+ EEMEA markets.

This experience taught me that understanding a market requires more than data — it requires empathy, curiosity, and a genuine willingness to learn from the people who live there.

A smiling woman with long hair, wearing a striped beanie, a brown jacket, and carrying a gray bag, standing by a body of water with a city and a bridge in the background.
Street scene with yellow building, crosswalk, pedestrians, and cloudy sky.
Group of five young people standing on cobblestone hill with cityscape in the background at dusk
A castle on a hilltop surrounded by trees and foliage, with a clear blue sky above.
Close-up of a person's hand holding a small, round egg tart pastry with a golden-brown flaky crust and a creamy yellow custard filling topped with caramelized spots. The tart rests on a white paper napkin. In the background, a chalkboard sign with a
A woman sitting on rocks overlooking the ocean with cliffs in the background during sunset.
People dining at a restaurant table with various dishes including seafood, fruit, and drinks. Some are looking at their phones, others are talking or drinking wine.
A tall palm tree with a textured trunk and large green fronds against a clear blue sky, surrounded by buildings.
A young woman with a backpack and water bottle sitting next to a large digital advertisement display featuring a male chef in white uniform pointing at fresh seafood.
A young woman with blonde hair in braids taking a selfie at the beach, with the ocean and a sunny sky in the background.
Five women are smiling and posing for a photo outdoors on a cloudy day, standing and squatting on a concrete surface near a waterfront with wind turbines in the background.
Several boats on rocky beach at sunset with cloudy sky in the background.
Person with braided hair and dark clothing looking out of a large stone-framed window onto a city street with historic buildings and parked car.
View of a city with numerous buildings, a mountain range in the background, and a partly cloudy sky. In the foreground, there is a curved road and some cars parked on a stone parking area.
Cityscape with numerous buildings and greenery in the foreground, mountains in the background, and partly cloudy sky.
Close-up of the marble sculpture of Jesus Christ and Mary, depicting Jesus' head bowed and Jesus with a crown of thorns, and Mary with a sorrowful expression and veil.
Four young women stand together smiling in front of a large ornate fountain with cascading water and sculptures of horses.
Four young women smiling and sitting on a ledge overlooking a cityscape with buildings and rooftops.
A young woman with long blonde hair smiling at the camera, wearing a colorful scarf and gray jacket, is standing outdoors near a stone railing with a view of a city and water in the background. A large French flag waves in the wind nearby.
Interior of the Roman Colosseum with tourists walking and taking photos.
A young woman taking a selfie at the Colosseum in Rome, Italy, with people in the background viewing the historic structure on a sunny day.
Tourists standing outside the Colosseum in Rome, Italy, with the ancient amphitheater's seats and arches visible under a clear blue sky.
A view of ancient ruins and historic buildings in Rome, Italy, with some trees and a cityscape in the background.
Marble sculpture depicting a mythological scene with a central male figure battling sea creatures, surrounded by other figures, set against a mural background in a museum.
Decorative ornate ceiling with elaborate gold framing, paintings, and sculptures, likely in a historic European palace or museum.
A woman with long blonde hair, wearing sunglasses and a black and gray jacket, standing in St. Peter's Square in Vatican City, with historic buildings and an obelisk in the background on a clear day.
Marble sculpture of the Pietà, depicting Virgin Mary holding the body of Jesus after his crucifixion, inside a church with marble walls and a window letting in light.
The Trevi Fountain in Rome, Italy, with tourists gathered around, some taking photos and others sitting or standing near the fountain.
A woman smiling as she takes a selfie in front of the Trevi Fountain with tourists in the background.
A young woman taking a selfie in front of Altare della Patria in Rome, Italy, with the Italian flag waving in the background.
Breakfast tray with a croissant in a black basket, a cappuccino with frothy milk, and a small dessert topped with a brown sugar swirl, all on a marble table.
Woman standing in front of the Louvre Pyramid at the Louvre Museum in Paris, with historic building and visitors in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
Young woman smiling, standing in front of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France. She is holding a black bag and some clothes, with a bus and cars passing in the background.
A woman smiling on a bridge by the Seine River in Paris, with the Eiffel Tower in the background and love locks attached to the bridge's railing.
The Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, under a cloudy sky, with trees and people at the base.
A young woman taking a selfie in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, with a partly cloudy sky and trees around her.
Baroque-style building with sculpture on the roof featuring a chariot pulled by horses with multiple figures.
A tall, historic clock tower with pointed spires and ornate architectural details under a cloudy sky.
A busy city street lined with historic and modern buildings, with people walking on the sidewalks, and vintage red cars parked along the curb. There are two 'no entry' signs on both sides of the street, and a construction crane is visible in the back
A view of a gothic church with tall spires surrounded by colorful historic buildings on a cloudy day.
Historical building with ornate facade, featuring red and white decorative elements, multiple windows, an arched entrance, and a small tower on top, located in an urban area with cars and pedestrians.
A scenic view of Prague with historic buildings, a river with boats, and a castle situated on a hilltop under an overcast sky.
Berlin Wall mural with numerous stickers and graffiti, the arch features the phrase 'Leuno Wall of Freedom & Energy' and a stylized cartoon figure.
View of a Gothic cathedral with pointed spires and ornate stained glass windows against a pastel pink and blue sunset sky.
A plate of seafood pasta with mussels, shrimp, and tomato sauce on a blue plate
Clear turquoise water with sailboats, a mountain range in the background, and a partly cloudy sky.
A young woman with long blonde hair, wearing a gray hoodie and blue jeans, stands on a city street with uneven stone steps, carrying a large black backpack and a gray neck pillow. She makes a fist with her right hand near her face, appears to be in d

Exploring Europe

Traveling across Europe shaped me in ways I never expected. During my time studying abroad, I explored Portugal, the Canary Islands of Spain, France, Italy, the Czech Republic, and Germany. I also took two solo trips — one to Paris and one to Rome — that pushed me to trust myself, stay curious, and embrace the unknown. Along the way, I met people from all walks of life, practiced new languages, and learned how different cultures express community, connection, and everyday life. These experiences taught me responsibility, confidence, and a deep appreciation for the beauty of learning from others.

Photo of an ancient brick archway in a desert-like area with a clear blue sky above.
Colorful Persian rugs hanging on a fence, with sunlight and shadows of tree branches cast on the wall behind.
A landscape of colorful, jagged red and brown mountain ridges with green vegetation and a clear blue sky.
A person holding a small, figurine-shaped stone sculpture in front of a mountainous landscape with snow patches, with jewelry displayed on a surface in the foreground.
Ruins of an ancient stone structure with a clear blue sky in the background.
Group of people posing outdoors with mountains and blue sky in the background.
Five women standing together outdoors with a mountainous landscape and clear blue sky in the background.
A smiling young woman with long blonde hair, wearing a beaded headpiece and traditional colorful clothing, standing outdoors on a sunny day with a brick building, trees, and a clear blue sky in the background.
A group of people sitting on a sand dune in a desert during sunset, with others in the background and some supplies and water bottles nearby.
People walking up a sandy desert dune under a clear blue sky at sunset or sunrise.
Silhouettes of a person leading a camel train across a desert at dusk with a crescent moon in the sky.
Five young women standing together in a desert with orange sand dunes and a clear blue sky in the background.
Five young women posing together at night in an outdoor setting, smiling, with a hazy background of people and warm lighting.
A cityscape with white buildings under a clear blue sky.
Three people taking a selfie in front of a mirror at a market or shop with hanging bags and textiles behind them.
A woman sitting on a rooftop patio with a city skyline in the background, overlooking a wide river or bay during daytime.
Two women taking a selfie on a rooftop with a cityscape and body of water in the background during sunset.
Cityscape view of densely packed buildings under a clear sky at sunset.
A flock of birds flying over a body of water at sunset with hills in the background.
Two women smiling and posing for a photo on a coastal trail with ocean and rocky shoreline in the background.
A woman wearing sunglasses and a patterned headscarf takes a selfie with a camel under a bright sun in a clear blue sky.
Woman sitting on rocks in a rocky outdoor setting with a small tree behind her.
View of the ocean and sky through a natural rock formation resembling a window
Smiling woman wearing sunglasses and a bandana on her head, taking a selfie by the ocean on a sunny day.
A black and white cat lying on a cobblestone sidewalk near a wall, looking at the camera.
Woman taking a mirror selfie in a store filled with colorful hats and accessories.
Close-up of an arched blue door set into a snow-covered stone wall, with a small stone ledge to the right.
A wall decorated with paintings of various cityscape scenes, mostly in shades of blue, with some framed pictures among them, and a small table with lamps and decorative objects below.
A store display with cans of paint and colorful rolls of paint tape arranged in buckets on a blue shelf.
Four people smiling and waving indoors, with a painting of a ship on the wall behind them.
Two white cats, one sitting and one lying down, in a store with baskets and shelves in the background.
A woman in a beige skirt and pink top is sitting on blue steps, reaching out to a gray and white cat. Two men are standing in the background on blue stairs with blue walls and decorative tiles.
Woman with blonde hair sitting on blue-painted stairs in a narrow alleyway, surrounded by blue walls, greenery, and a blackboard menu.
Four smiling people taking a selfie in a store with colorful textiles and souvenirs in the background.

Morocco is one of the places that has touched me the most. My first trip in 2023 took me from Marrakech through the Atlas Mountains and into the Sahara Desert, where I experienced the warmth and depth of southern Moroccan culture. Traveling during Ramadan allowed me to witness daily life, tradition, and community in a way I never had before, and the Arab and Amazigh cultures left a lasting impression on me.

During my backpacking trip this year, I explored Tangier and Chefchaouen and was once again struck by the hospitality, kindness, and openness of the people I met. The conversations I shared with locals — both big and small — are ones I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Studying Middle Eastern and North African business in school deepened my appreciation even further. I researched Morocco and Amazigh culture in several projects, which helped me understand, admire, and respectfully engage with the traditions I was experiencing firsthand. Traveling here reminded me of the power of human connection and the importance of approaching every culture with curiosity, humility, and an open heart.

Morocco

Exploring the world with an open heart and open mind has changed who I am. Each culture I’ve learned from—whether through study, solo travel, or long-term immersion—has taught me new ways to think, connect, and understand people. These experiences didn’t just broaden my worldview; they helped me grow into someone who feels confident and excited about living and working anywhere in the world.