about

As a lover of languages and a total international relations nerd, my bucket list of places to go is…well, the entire world. I want to experience histories, cultures, people who are radically different from me. I want to marvel at the beauty of architecture old and new, to relish local cuisine, to speak in foreign tongues, to get lost exploring the streets. I want to challenge myself to move away from the comfort of what I know, whether that means trying a new food, meeting a new friend, forbidding reliance on English, or just being generally more adventurous.

My journey began in the spring of 2015, when I spent an incredible semester studying abroad in Sevilla, Spain, as well as traveling around Europe and Morocco. Now that I’ve tasted a bit of this great big world we live in, I only want to know more of it.

I recently completed my Ph.D. in Political Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. My research centers on national identity, migration, and religion in European and U.S. politics. This year, I will continue my research and teach in the International Studies department at the American University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. Alongside my career as a political scientist, I strive to creatively combine my passions for traveling and learning.

-Steph

Follow me on Instagram @adventuresofatravelersheart !