Welcome to The Abroad Blog!
Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the internet! My name is Nicole. I’m a 24-year-old from Boston, the voice behind this blog, and the girl who can’t stop talking about her travels abroad.
After graduating with a BA in Communication and International Studies from Fairfield University, I packed up my life and moved to Charleston, South Carolina to pursue my MBA with a concentration in Marketing. I’m now working my dream job as a Content and Social Media Manager for EF Education First, inspiring others to travel 9-5, while maintaining my blog any other time I can. I’ve aspired to work in the travel industry since high school, and told myself that one day, I’ll get paid to see the world. My dream came true when I traveled around the Dominican Republic assisting a professional video team with a content shoot… and got paid to do it! I truly believe anything is achievable if you’re willing to put yourself out there and just go for it. But, I’m sure you’ve all heard this before…
Still here? Let’s get down to the good stuff.
My first impactful abroad experience occurred in Italy on a high school student tour (with EF, actually). Not only did this trip open my eyes to new places and culture, it gave me the confidence I needed to continue seeking out adventure. Fast-forward four years and I returned to my beloved Florence, Italy for a semester abroad. I was nominated for a new program as a freshman in college, and although studying abroad during fall 2017 was not part of my original plan, I am so glad I got on that plane.
Fifteen countries later, I returned home ready for my next adventure. In 2018, I studied abroad for a second semester in Sydney, Australia, and gained international work experience at an Australian marketing agency. I also completed a major goal of mine by visiting all seven Australian territories! During the 132 days I spent Down Under, I consistently pushed myself out of my comfort zone – I even jumped out of a plane!
I’ve now been to over 40 countries with no plans of slowing down anytime soon! Two years of lockdown also inspired me to explore more of my home country, so I’m currently on a mission to visit all 50 states. I’ve been sharing my 50 States Challenge on both my Instagram and here via travel guides. Head to the “Destinations” tab and click into “North America” to explore my posts by state.
The once-in-a-lifetime experiences I’ve had, along with my pursuit of a successful career in the travel industry have inspired me to start this blog. I am so grateful I was given the opportunity to live, work, and study abroad at an age much younger than most. My hope is that my personal experiences will benefit and inspire you!
Looking for more abroad content? Check out my podcast: The Abroad Pod!
