Introduction

Hello everyone! My name is Maojin Zhao, I live in a small city called Leshan, which is located in southwest of Sichuan province, China. I know it's hard to remember my Chinese name so you can call me Reno. I major in Computer Science, and I love taking pictures anytime anywhere. I do a lot of travels in Asia countries with my mom and I prefer traveling myself to traveling with a group of people. My favorite country is Thailand, people lead a cozy life there. I spent a week wandering around the Old City and met some local people, they are very friendly. 

Nick Schumacher

Hi, my name is Nick Schumacher, and I am from the Twin Cities area in Minnesota. I am currently a double major in international studies and English with interests in the creative writing track. I am also considering adding a language for a minor (possibly Russian). I have only briefly been out of the country on a few separate occasions. I went on a cruise that took me to Mexico and Belize, and I have been to Canada, as well. I have done more traveling in the borders of the States. I have been in all the States from Minnesota to Texas, Minnesota to Utah, and Minnesota to Kentucky. I have also technically also been in Florida, though that was to board a cruise ship. I want to travel the world, starting in Brazil, and then Eastern Europe. I love to write and read. Regarding slow travel, I like kayaking, hiking/backpacking, and walking. I like museums, libraries, and antique stores.

Hello everyone!  My name is Reece Wadle, and I'm from Algona, Iowa.  I'm a human anatomy/physiology major on the pre-med track.  My goal is to one day become an orthopedic surgeon, preferably focusing on the area of sports medicine.  I've been involved with sports my entire life, and I plan on staying physically active in the future.  For this reason, physical travel is very appealing to me.  I really have no preference where I travel to in the future, but I know I would like to visit places with a bit more scenery than Iowa.

Melissa Weinstein

My name is Melissa Weinstein, and I'm from Bettendorf, Iowa. Currently, I'm an open major, and I don't have too much of a direction about what I might want to study. I've never been out of the country, but I would love to visit Australia and tour around Europe. My favorite place to visit is New York City because there are so many different languages and cultures all wrapped up in one place. I mainly travel by car or plane, but nothing beats boating down the Mississippi River.

Becc O'Brien

Hi! I'm Becc. I'm from New England. More specifically: I grew up in Newburyport, MA; spent my high school years in Portsmouth, NH; and spend summers on Cape Cod. I am an English major with dreams of getting on the creative writing track, as well as majoring in Journalism.

Although I've done a good amount of traveling around New England, I'm excited to take on the world. I'm most interested in traveling to Asia - China, Japan, South Korea, India, you name it. I'd also like to go to Antarctica.  I love martial arts, hiking, skiing, sailing and kayaking. I also appreciate a good museum. Seeing as though I haven't been in Iowa City very long, I'm also very excited to "travel" around the city.

Nicole Gabrione

Hello! I'm Nicole Gabrione and I'm from Lake Zurich, IL. I'm an English and theatre arts double major. I do a lot of reading and movie-watching. I think travel is one of the most inspiring things people can do in their lives and I hope to do a lot of it in mine! I love traveling to big cities, and I also think the ocean is breathtaking. On trips I love to just walk around - it gives me the time to take everything in! One day I hope to travel to Greece, where my grandma grew up.

Emily VanWiel

Hi! I'm from Johnston, IA and am double majoring in Communications and Art History. I love being outdoors, especially anywhere that has mountains or an ocean! I've always loved travelling, and mostly take family vacations around the country, but last summer I was given an opportunity to travel through Europe, and it sparked a passion for travel in me. I absolutely love learning about different cultures and the way that travel embraces these differences.

Alex Kruse

Hello everyone! My name is Alex Kruse and I am from Dubuque, Iowa. I am an open major and I am all about gaining experience on everything I can. My philosophy is the only way to learn is from experience. The very reason why travel is so important to me is because your main focus is what is going on that very day, which completely involves you in the experience. I have been fortunate enough to travel by car from coast to coast in this country, whilst climbing state high points. I love to climb and hike and I would love to visit all of the places where my ancestry originates from (Ireland, Germany, etc.)!

Ashley Hoffman

Hi! My name is Ashley Hoffman and I'm from Indianola, Iowa.  I'm majoring in biomedical engineering and as of right now I would love to one day design prosthetics or do something along the lines of that.  I love volunteering and playing soccer.  I would love to one day travel internationally. Most of my trips so far have been family vacations through the Midwest, to California, or to Florida.  I've done mostly car, boat, and plane travel.  I hope to one day visit Australia and travel across Europe.

Hi, I'm Melisa from Metamora, IL. I'm majoring in biology for pre-med purposes.  I run a lot and play the violin. My favorite kind of travel is international with family and friends.  The best thing about traveling is the people you meet...and the food.  I also like seeing beautiful places by hiking.  The views are always worth the temporary breathlessness and weird bugs.  I like visiting old churches and ruins and getting into the local culture.  I enjoy boating on lakes but not oceans. Warm places with beaches are my favorite and I would like to go to Japan, Morocco, Santorini and Thailand.

Lauren Barber

Hi everyone, my name is Lauren Barber and I'm from Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Right now my major is environmental policy and planning but it may be subject to change. I really like to spend time with my family and friends and volunteer if I'm able to. I've traveled by boat, plane, and car and my favorite way to travel would be with the best view. I'd love to do a big international trip with friends sometime that features hiking and outdoor activities.

Rachel Miller

Hello! My name is Rachel Miller and I'm from Bettendorf, Iowa.  I am a biology major with an interest in genetics.  I love to read, take photographs and spend time with my friends and family.  I have a passion for traveling and have been lucky enough to travel internationally.  I would love to continue to travel internationally but I also enjoy yearly family vacations.  I love to swim so I like  destinations with oceans. I mostly travel by plane and car but hate traveling by boats.  I really want to go to Australia, England and Thailand.

Lilly Corrigan

Hello! My name is Lilly Corrigan and I am from Indianola, Iowa. I am majoring in music therapy and hope to minor in sign language. I sing and play the piano, and I also enjoy being outside and spending time with my family. I have always loved to travel, and most of my trips have been family vacations. I've done mostly car trips and plane trips; I'm not a huge fan of boats. I love going to places with mountains, and I really enjoy hiking. I would love to hike the Grand Canyon rim to rim! Internationally I want to see New Zealand and Egypt, but any travel national or international is fun for me!