Located on New Zealand's North Island, Auckland has a population of around 1.5 million. The University of Auckland was established in 1883, and the metro area is rife with arts, culture, history, and gustatorial opportunities. 

So you’re getting ready for a long trip – exciting!! But are you worried about all the details you need to take care of, before you head out? This is often my biggest headache, and one that takes up too much brain space while I should be excited about my trip.

To help with that, I’ve compiled a detailed list of things to do to prepare for your long trip – so that you can quickly finish the work and save your mental energy for dreaming about all the great coffee shops you’ll find on your trip.

 

Perched atop a steep cliff, nestled in between the town of Sigmaringen and the Danube River, Schloss Sigmaringen (Sigmaringen Castle) is a fairy tale come to life.

The brightly-colored roofs lead the eye past the surrounding mountains to the sky, in the town of Sigmaringen, located in Baden-Württemberg, southern Germany.

For New Yorkers, there is nothing like the South Street Seaport after dark. This after hours hot spot is a favorite among locals as well as curious tourists. Though the seaport has great attractions that are frequented all day, the fun doesn't stop when the sun goes down. 

I will never forget the summer of '94. Working in London as the MSU Summer London Study Abroad Director, I packed as much theatre as I could into my time there. I danced onstage at Five Guys Named Moe, marveled at the chilling and realistic sound effects in Miss Saigon, bought countless tickets to Hot Shoe Shuffle, and went with my students to as many shows as we could pack in around classes and work. It was GLORIOUS.

Fun, unexpected experiences, and products align with Dr. Frank N. Furter’s character in Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show, now playing at the Avon Theatre. This experience is presented in conjunction with the Stratford Festival, which opened June 2.  

Frank N. Furter’s The Rocky Horror Show Guide to Stratford

ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) is a not so well-known automated system that was built to determine eligibility for people traveling to the US under VWP (Visa Waiver Program). The system is straightforward but since not much is known about it, most people make assumptions that are incorrect. One of the assumptions is that everyone needs an ESTA approval. In reality, you only need this in some specific situations. 

The best parts of traveling internationally is not only seeing new sights but experiencing different cultures. You can learn how people live, work, and play all around the globe. These kinds of experiences inform how you look at the world, build your empathy and understanding, and help you to learn more about yourself, while you’re at it.