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I don’t know about you, but amid all the chaos and heartbreak of 2020 and 2021 my desire to travel abroad has grown exponentially stronger than before. Despite the disappointment of cancelled flights and travel plans cut short, this time has given travelers the chance to be introspective and appreciate everything that travel can do […]
July 18, 2021
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Teaching English as a foreign language has appeared on the radar of many Americans as a viable way to travel the world while also supporting themselves financially. Whether you’re interested in teaching online while you hop from one destination to another, or you plan to find a teaching job in a foreign country, being able […]
November 26, 2020
“If you see smoke, fire, or anything else alarming on the outside or inside of the plane, please bring it to our attention.” Holy sh*t what am I doing?
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October 1, 2018
Trust me I get it – wifi hopping is really tempting. International phone plans cost a fortune and, if your wallet is tight, its one of the first expenses you might think to do without. After all, you’re not traveling so that you can scroll through Twitter all day, or talk to your friends on the phone all day, right?
September 27, 2018
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November 26, 2020
Teaching English as a foreign language has appeared on the radar of many Americans as a viable way to travel the world while also supporting themselves financially. Whether you’re interested in teaching online while you hop from one destination to another, or you plan to find a teaching job in a foreign country, being able […]
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October 1, 2018
Living with a host family is one of the best opportunities to become fully immersed in the culture of a country and be exposed to your target language. Rather than being a tenant, you are part of the family, and this provides a truly unique perspective when traveling and getting to know your host country.
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September 27, 2018
Trust me I get it – wifi hopping is really tempting. International phone plans cost a fortune and, if your wallet is tight, its one of the first expenses you might think to do without. After all, you’re not traveling so that you can scroll through Twitter all day, or talk to your friends on the phone all day, right?
The Full Post »
Living with a host family is one of the best opportunities to become fully immersed in the culture of a country and be exposed to your target language. Rather than being a tenant, you are part of the family, and this provides a truly unique perspective when traveling and getting to know your host country.
October 1, 2018
Trust me I get it – wifi hopping is really tempting. International phone plans cost a fortune and, if your wallet is tight, its one of the first expenses you might think to do without. After all, you’re not traveling so that you can scroll through Twitter all day, or talk to your friends on the phone all day, right?
September 27, 2018
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Tallinn, the capital city of Estonia, is a charming and historical destination that has something to offer for every type of traveler. Located on the northern coast of Estonia, Tallinn is known for its well-preserved Old Town, which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Old Town is a labyrinth of narrow cobblestone […]
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April 4, 2023
February 21, 2023
Riga is the capital city of Latvia and one of the largest cities in the Baltic region. With a rich history dating back to the 12th century, Riga is a vibrant and culturally rich destination, renowned for its stunning architecture, rich cultural heritage, and lively atmosphere. Riga has been shaped by its location at the […]
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February 21, 2023
Walking around the city of Bishkek, you’ll see an interesting blend of old Soviet-era apartment buildings and monuments, modern shopping malls, and lush green parks with wide prospects. Bishkek is the capital of Kyrgyzstan, and is a vibrant, yet not so well-known city in Central Asia. It’s a great destination for those interested in Soviet […]
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November 15, 2022
With a history dating back to 1500 BCE, Armenia today presents an enchanting combination of its Old World roots and modern-day lifestyle. As you travel around the country, you’ll discover everything from ancient monasteries to modern metropolises all nuzzled between stunning mountain ranges and crystal-blue alpine lakes. For a country so breathtaking you’d anticipate that […]
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July 28, 2021
January 23, 2021
Russia – A country that evokes a different set of feelings more polarizing than most travel destinations. Regardless of one’s associations with the country, it doesn’t take much research to realize what a great destination it is for adventurous travelers. Before hopping on a plane, however, it is important to familiarize yourself with certain cultural differences […]
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January 23, 2021
If you are traveling to Kazakhstan, you definitely need to do some thorough research ahead of time regarding transportation and how to get around Kazakhstan. Although the region has experienced steady growth over the last few years, Central Asia’s tourism industry is not as developed as other travel destinations around the world. As a result, […]
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January 8, 2021
With the world’s largest wine collection, a centuries-old monastery built inside of a mountain, and several fortresses from the Middle Ages, Moldova is one of Europe’s best-kept secrets. The country is quite small in size, which is perfect for travelers who want to see as much as they can in a shorter time frame. Oh, […]
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July 27, 2020
July 2, 2020
Hello everyone! Belarus is a land-locked country in eastern Europe with a wide-range of experiences to offer. Whether you’re spending the weekend at the dacha, hiking around the multiple national parks, visiting grand historical monuments, or exploring the modern metropolises, there’s plenty to do around this small country. Belarus is one of my favorite Eastern […]
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July 2, 2020
If you’ve been grinding at a foreign language for years, but you aren’t fluent yet (whatever your definition of fluency might be), it might be a sign that it’s time to change your strategy. I’ve been studying Russian for six years, and I’ve made several critical mistakes when it came to how I was approaching […]
March 1, 2022
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Hey everyone, and welcome to the 14-Day #onthebloc Russian Speaking Challenge for beginners! Have you been wanting to learn Russian but have had a hard time getting started? Maybe you have been studying for a while but speaking makes you a bit nervous? That’s why I’ve started a 14-day Russian Speaking Challenge for those who […]
February 10, 2022
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Have you ever heard of a language pledge? Maybe you’ve been exploring academic programs and encountered this term, but you’re not entirely sure what it actually entails. The purpose of this article is to help illuminate what a language pledge actually is and to clear up any questions you might have so that you can […]
April 9, 2021
Have you ever heard the sentence “The best way to learn a foreign language is by studying abroad,” and thought . . . Well, uh . . . . And if that’s not a possibility for me? Traveling abroad is not always an accessible option whether it be for financial, medical, or other reasons – […]
April 9, 2021
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Unlike many tourist spots in western Europe, English is not a commonly spoken language in post-Soviet countries. Depending on the goals of your trip, this can either be a fantastic opportunity to further your Russian language-skills or a scary language barrier that makes you immediately search Google for any and all ‘Russian for Tourists’ handbooks. […]
February 15, 2021
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In today’s post, we will be looking at the vocabulary that you can use to play Among Us in Russian! With the vocabulary and phrases below, you’ll be able to play Among Us with native Russian speakers and develop your colloquial Russian language skills along the way. Playing games in a foreign language is by […]
October 22, 2020
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June 3, 2023
In winter 2022, I was fortunate enough to travel the Baltic countries and get a deep dive into their histories. After writing about The History Of The Baltics Pre-USSR: Estonia, Latvia And Lithuania, it only seems natural to continue the series with the history of Latvia under the Soviet Union. This article will detail Latvia’s […]
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April 14, 2023
Russia is a vast country that has had a significant impact on the world’s cultural, political, and economic landscape for centuries. Its history spans over a thousand years, from the early days of the Kievan Rus’ to the present day. To understand the complexities of modern-day Russia, it is crucial to examine early Russian history, […]
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January 2, 2023
After a long break from travel due to COVID-19, I was finally able to return to the former Eastern bloc in winter 2022 and travel around the Baltic countries – Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania! Although my primary interest lies in Soviet history, it proved too difficult to just ignore the plethora of medieval castles and […]
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December 21, 2021
The Zimmerli Museum is an art museum near Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey which holds the largest collection of Soviet Nonconformist art in the U.S. The Zimmerli is free for the public, and includes two floors dedicated to Russian art. The collections span several art movements to give visitors historical context, but focuses […]
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December 2, 2021
At the turn of the 20th century, a cultural outburst overcame Russia. As Russia’s entire dynamic began to shift in a major way, the art and literature of the time reflected these changes. These changes became known as the Silver Age in Russian art and literature. Following the Russian classics of the Golden Age, the […]
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