Thanks for joining me!
You may know me and you may not. Regardless, I’d say it’s time for a grand introduction, where you learn all the sappy details about my life and travels. Just kidding. I’ll keep it somewhat short and to the point.
Introducing…me!
Hometown: Benton Harbor, Michigan, USA
Education: junior at Cornell University with double major (International Agriculture and Rural Development, Development Sociology) and triple minor (Southeast Asian Studies, Leadership, International Trade and Development)
Favorite Entree: paneer tikka masala (not out of a box!)
Family Life: grew up with 2 amazing parents, including a UPS driver dad and stay-at-home mom; also put up with an overachieving but highly motivational older brother
Fun Facts (I’ll share 3 for kicks):
- Only drank water entire life (except as a baby)
- Won a restaurant’s pancake eating contest
- Graduated high school in a class of 13 students
Hobbies: writing, bicycling, weight lifting, playing piano and accordion
What Excites Me: my faith in Jesus Christ, ensuring everyone has access to quality food, anything related to India, muffins, Trevor Noah
3 words I want to be:
- Passionate
- Driven
- Authentic
Now that that’s all over, the more exciting part of my post is to come… But first, I do want to make something abundantly clear: I’m not rich at all. I just apply for academic programs and grants and save some spending money for excursions.
Fran’s Land’s 7-Month Itinerary
Note that my plans are subject to revision. After all, life is full of surprises!
Nation 1
Malang, Indonesia – mid-June to mid-August 2018
- Purpose: US Critical Language Scholarship Program (means speaking 0 English for 2 months), living with host family, cultural trips, studying at one of the country’s oldest universities
- Goal: learn a traditional instrument called the gamelan (check it out here)
Nation 2
Bangkok and Chiang Mai, Thailand – mid to late August 2018
- Purpose: taste epic pad thai, enjoy Thai massage, rent scooter, see ancient sites with friend
- Goal: ride an elephant
Nation 3
Durban, Johannesburg, and Cape Town, South Africa – late August to early December 2018
- Purpose: study abroad through the School for International Training, living with 3 host families, learning Zulu, and submitting journalism piece for media group
- Goal: get published in a national periodical
Nation 4
Swaziland – a few days between September and December 2018
- Purpose: study abroad educational trip
- Goal: come back with exciting report for Swaziland-obsessed friend
Nation 5
Mozambique – 8 days between September and December 2018
- Purpose: another study abroad educational trip to learn the country’s role in South Africa’s anti-apartheid independence
- Goal: eat authentic African seafood
Nation 6
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe – early December 2018
- Purpose: take a helicopter ride over Victoria Falls promised by my friend (it’s called the “Flight of Angels”)
- Goal: take too many pictures
Nation 7
Kazungula, Botswana – early December 2018
- Purpose: ride a ferry, see wildlife
- Goal: see lots of elephants
Nation 8
Livingstone and Lusaka, Zambia – early to late December 2018
- Purpose: reunite with host mother, adopted church, and friends
- Goal: go to Lusaka National Park, perfect my atrocious African dancing skills
Nation 9
Hyderabad, India – late December 2018 to mid-January 2019
- Purpose: perform senior honors thesis research (if I receive funds that I applied for), reuniting with old friends
- Goal: generate a peer review research article, maybe see Taj Mahal (bucket list goal!)
Nation 10
Myanmar (Burma) – mid to late January 2019
- Purpose: take a Cornell agriculture and development course (contingent on class itinerary)
- Goal: carry on a decent Burmese conversation, under Rohingya crisis
Well, that does it! I plan to publish on a bi-weekly basis beginning in mid-June. My journey officially begins June 17 at the US Department of State in Washington DC, where I will post my final pre-international update before heading to Indonesia! Thanks for reading and until next time on Fran’s Lands!
