International Education | Around the World "L"!

2011 in this Travel Empire, and Madrid Night Photos

Blogging and Technology, International Education, Overall Reflection, Spain: Madrid 14 Responses »

Dec 312011

2011 in this Travel Empire, and Madrid Night Photos

Happy New Year from Madrid, Spain!

What a year it’s been, eh? As December 31, 2011 draws to a close, here are some glittering photos of holiday-decorated Madrid, Spain (as snapped last night), along with a kind of “State of the Union” run-down of statistics from this teaching-traveling website empire for 2011. (As always, click blue-highlighted words for related articles.)

2011 IN NUMBERS:

First-person world travel articles written on AroundTheWorldL.com in 2011: 59 Global education interviews and [...Read More!]

Hello From Madrid, Spain! How Different it is This Time!

Home After Travel, International Education, Overall Reflection, Sexy Architecture, Spain 13 Responses »

Dec 292011

Hello From Madrid, Spain! How Different it is This Time!

Hello From Madrid, Spain, where I am on a wonderful, whirlwind Free Teacher Training Tour run by EF Tours!

On this 5-day trip, I am in training with a group of teachers who have flown in from around the United States to prepare as much as possible to lead a group of our students abroad. In my case, I will be leading 42 Boston students to Beijing, China in just 1.5 months!

So far, this [...Read More!]

The School Toilet in China That May Make You Gasp

China: Yunyang, Cultural Differences, Humor, International Education 64 Responses »

Dec 012011

The School Toilet in China That May Make You Gasp

Never in my life have I been more dizzied from cultural differences than the afternoon I saw the Girls’ Bathroom in a 4,000-student school of Yunyang, China.

It wasn’t that the bathroom was rather run-down and dirty that shocked me. No– I’ve been a teacher in large urban schools in Boston for seven years and have seen (and smelled) my share of dirty school bathrooms. I’ve also squatted in all sorts of [...Read More!]

What to Expect on a Flight from the U.S. to China

China, Food, International Education, Pre-Trip Planning and Packing, Transportation 6 Responses »

Aug 132011

What to Expect on a Flight from the U.S. to China

Hello from China, all the way across the world from where I was last week!

In the five days since I arrived here, I’ve already hiked the Great Wall, reunited with my dear friend Gareth who is teaching here through Peace Corps, toured the Forbidden City and Tienanmen Square, taken a 15 hour sleeper train to the center of the country, and (continuously) stuffed myself silly on mouth-watering Chinese food. In short, life is [...Read More!]

What's Changed, 1 Year After Returning from RTW Travel?

Home After Travel, International Education, Overall Reflection, USA: Boston 22 Responses »

May 122011

What's Changed, 1 Year After Returning from RTW Travel?

Exactly a year ago today, I returned back to America after nine straight months traveling around the world.

What a change a year makes! My life now is unrecognizable from 365 days ago… and it’s an inspiring reminder of how we never have to be stuck!

On May 12, 2010, I flew from Madrid back to Boston with no secure job, no apartment of my own, a fragmented social scene, and a small [...Read More!]

Big News About "Meet, Plan, Go!" Travel Conference 2011

Budget Travel Secrets, International Education, Logistics, Pre-Trip Planning and Packing 18 Responses »

Apr 132011

“Hey Lillie,” said Sherry by Skype yesterday, “I met someone last month in Sri Lanka who knows you!”

“What?!” I gasped?

“Right!” Sherry laughed. “This guy, Brooks, is out traveling the world now because of your “Meet, Plan, Go!” 2010 Boston career-break travel conference!”

I almost swooned from happiness. Last year when Sherry Ott and Michaela Potter founded the “Meet, Plan, Go!” extended travel movement and asked me to coordinate the Boston chapter of the [...Read More!]

100 Different Ways to Finally Start Traveling!

Budget Travel Secrets, International Education, Learning, Pre-Trip Planning and Packing 15 Responses »

Apr 112011

100 Different Ways to Finally Start Traveling!

Sometimes we nearly faint from despair, thinking, “I can never travel, because I don’t have enough time, or money, or opportunities!” …But that’s simply not true!

On March 31, 2011, in glorious Boston, I coordinated Teaching Traveling Inspiration Night, which aimed to help more teachers fulfill their travel dreams, thus transforming our world’s educational system through renewed energy, resources, and connections. Over 100 participants learned that night a whole new set of [...Read More!]

The N-Word We Should Explicitly Teach to Our Students

International Education, Lusciousness, Overall Reflection, Youth Creating Change 28 Responses »

Mar 292011

The N-Word We Should Explicitly Teach to Our Students

“What’s that “N” word we were talking about last week?” I asked my students today.

“Networking!” shouted a flock simultaneously.

“Right!” I exclaimed, thrilled at how well the ongoing training was progressing. “And what does ‘Networking’ mean?”

“Meeting other people to connect ideas and opportunities,” one 8th grader offered. ”Seeing how you can help someone with their project and goals,” added another, “and how they can help you on yours.” I nearly fainted in happiness. My Campaign [...Read More!]

YMCA Kids, a Magic Castle, and an Odd Fortress in Boston

Humor, International Education, Sexy Architecture, USA: Boston 30 Responses »

Mar 272011

YMCA Kids, a Magic Castle, and an Odd Fortress in Boston

So, I just joined a gym that a bunch of my students go to: the YMCA. I thought it would be weird, but it’s actually really inspiring!

While I swirly-swirl on the elliptical stairmaster, I can look out at youth playing their hearts out on the basketball and volleyball courts below… and it really inspires me to work out as hard as them!

As adults, we can get kind of surly about hitting [...Read More!]

Join This Discussion to Uncover the Heart of Bullying!

Cultural Differences, International Education, Race and Travel, Women and Travel 59 Responses »

Mar 092011

Join This Discussion to Uncover the Heart of Bullying!

This article is dedicated to the 150 eighth and tenth grade Boston Public Schools students I have the pleasure of teaching this year.

I figure the odds are pretty good that some of my sweet students sometimes experience the stress that comes with the middle and high school social scene… and so it’s time at last to start unearthing the photos and stories of my OWN skinny self in 8th grade, to [...Read More!]