2008 Woodie Awards
Around the world and back
A Miami University student shares the trip of a lifetime
Rachel Rudwall
Issue date: 8/21/07 Section: Features
This will be my final submission-my final communiqué as STA Travel's World Traveler Intern. I've finished all the blogs and videos, and I've transferred all my photos to the powers that be. And now I'm in for that great transition back to not only life in the United States, but also life here at Miami University. So, I politely address all my professors and ask them to please be gentle with me if I momentarily gaze into space during lectures; it's not you, it's me.
You see, I've just returned from an around the world journey voyaging to 15 countries on three continents in a span of just under 12 weeks. My days were filled with planes, trains and automobiles; elephant rides, bamboo rafting, and white-water maneuvers like you've never seen (mainly because I was a novice and patented some rather awkward paddle dips). I blazed through Europe in a fit of glory, hopped over to China to work with endangered species, fell in love with Thailand as I trekked its hills and lived with the hill tribes, and finally ventured to Australia to indulge in some adventure activities.
I'm sure by this point you're all wondering: Why on earth would STA Travel want to send an intern around the world on her own? And then there's the obvious next question: Why you, Rachel? STA Travel just launched its World Traveler Internship this summer in order to inspire others to travel. Of course, the people behind the desks realize it doesn't take too much to make a college kid want to bolt from behind his or her desk and hit the tropics. However, brochures aren't too interactive. And, as appealing as a photo or a travel agent's fact sheet about a given country may appear, it's hard to get a real feel for the experience before you go. I mean, if you're going to be shelling out your hard earned cash to take a trip, you want to know it's worth it.
That's where I come in. I've explored the globe this summer with five different tour companies in order to bring the experience to all of you. I took a mind-boggling number of photos, made several films per trip, and wrote my blogs at www.statravel193.com/rachel along the way so that you know how the tours really feel on this end of the deal. The words and images are all my own, and the Giant Pandas in the videos are real (not men in suits doing some sad reenactment of my days in China). The most fantastic part of the voyage is that I was chosen simply because I hold a passion for travel. In fact, I live to travel, love writing and media arts (although I have no formal training in either), and I've used every opportunity I've had at college to make my way abroad again and again. Somehow my passion and all the loans I've gotten to study abroad were legitimized this summer with STA Travel's internship-the ultimate reward for curiosity and a desire to share my knowledge with others.
You see, I've just returned from an around the world journey voyaging to 15 countries on three continents in a span of just under 12 weeks. My days were filled with planes, trains and automobiles; elephant rides, bamboo rafting, and white-water maneuvers like you've never seen (mainly because I was a novice and patented some rather awkward paddle dips). I blazed through Europe in a fit of glory, hopped over to China to work with endangered species, fell in love with Thailand as I trekked its hills and lived with the hill tribes, and finally ventured to Australia to indulge in some adventure activities.
I'm sure by this point you're all wondering: Why on earth would STA Travel want to send an intern around the world on her own? And then there's the obvious next question: Why you, Rachel? STA Travel just launched its World Traveler Internship this summer in order to inspire others to travel. Of course, the people behind the desks realize it doesn't take too much to make a college kid want to bolt from behind his or her desk and hit the tropics. However, brochures aren't too interactive. And, as appealing as a photo or a travel agent's fact sheet about a given country may appear, it's hard to get a real feel for the experience before you go. I mean, if you're going to be shelling out your hard earned cash to take a trip, you want to know it's worth it.
That's where I come in. I've explored the globe this summer with five different tour companies in order to bring the experience to all of you. I took a mind-boggling number of photos, made several films per trip, and wrote my blogs at www.statravel193.com/rachel along the way so that you know how the tours really feel on this end of the deal. The words and images are all my own, and the Giant Pandas in the videos are real (not men in suits doing some sad reenactment of my days in China). The most fantastic part of the voyage is that I was chosen simply because I hold a passion for travel. In fact, I live to travel, love writing and media arts (although I have no formal training in either), and I've used every opportunity I've had at college to make my way abroad again and again. Somehow my passion and all the loans I've gotten to study abroad were legitimized this summer with STA Travel's internship-the ultimate reward for curiosity and a desire to share my knowledge with others.
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