Hi, My name is Zoe Valdez, I am 17 years old and I love to travel.
I love pizza, macaroni and cheese, spaghetti with no tomato sauce, KPOP and being a teenage traveler.
Spent three weeks in South Korea, 22 cities in 23 days touring the American West, swam in the waters of over 11 Caribbean Islands, spent a Summer and surfed in Puerto Rico, recorded my first song with a multi-platinum music producer in Los Angeles, camped and saw a million stars in the Grand Canyon and I will be finishing my High School Senior Year in ITALY Fall 2024/2025.
I was one of the first female founders of The Scouts of America when they allowed females to join in 2019, I am one of the youngest females in the world to earn the Eagle Scout Award, the highest rank in The Boy Scouts of America. I raised over $20,000.00 building an Education Pavilion for 250 students to study at my school.
I started this blog to share with you my experience in being a teenage abroad education student, remember I am a high schooler in fact I will complete my senior year in Italy with a host family. I will be away from my Mom, Dad and little Brother for 9 months immersed in the Italian Culture.
So I have to learn to speak and understand Italian, I will be going to an all Italian speaking high school. Is This Crazy, I never had to push myself in learning something new in one month? Well not like this…
I want to take you along each step through my journey, everything I prepared for the trip, the pros and cons of each week.
Look at this, as my Abroad Learning Diary for you.
I have to admit I am EXCITED to be traveling to Italy, learning new things and making new friends. I can’t wait to meet my Host Family and Host Sister Sara BUT I am a little scared, I am sad because I’m going to miss my parents, my room and the friends I’m leaving behind.
Ok, note to self…Don’t Cry Right Now.
Here is a question I always get asked, WHY, DID YOU WANT TO TRAVEL ABROAD or FINISH HIGH SCHOOL IN ANOTHER COUNTRY???…
My answer is because It Was Possible, It’s Different, It’s an Experience Most Won’t Do, and every time I travel, I BECOME A BETTER ME, A Different Person, A Wiser Person, and I ALWAYS FIND OUT SOMETHING NEW ABOUT ME.
I create a Bigger Belief About Myself.
So please follow me and my journey, I hope you will be able to take away one thing from my journal here and if you ever want to connect just send me a message.
Also you will be able to click on the link above this page to learn more on how to be an Abroad Learning Student.
Love, Your Teenage Traveler,
Zoe Valdez