La Jolla, California is a glimpse of heaven that I somehow get to call home (at least during my college years because boy is it a pretty penny!). I have been able to surf in the turquoise waters, explore tropical hikes, and study in a dark academia Hogwarts library. Starting on August 27, though, I am saying farewell to this salty paradise and departing on a year-long study abroad through UC San Diego. You may be wondering why in the world I would be leaving, and truthfully I wonder the same sometimes. As corny as it sounds, though, the adventures of La Jolla could only extend so far, and I long for a taste of the world outside of the US. It would not be as fun to promptly declare the country I will be living in, so instead I will be giving clues (in bold) throughout this post to see if you can guess! Below is an excerpt from one of my scholarship essays, which explains how my mama’s legacy has inspired me to study abroad.
As a little girl, my parents planted a seed of wanderlust in my heart that continues to sprout and declare its reign in my interests today. Before I was born, my mother and father journeyed with the Peace Corps to a remote village in Russia; there, they taught English to elementary school children, improved their language skills, and integrated into a culture vastly different from their own. A piece of their daring adventure was uprooted and planted in me when they chose to name me, “Katia” after some of their students. After my mother suddenly died, I vowed to honor her through maturing the gift of expedition she had given me, and I plan on doing this through studying abroad in…a nation in Western Europe.
I truly adore San Diego, and I want to use this post as a way to share my favorite locations and photos that I have snapped throughout my two years there. Something not captured is my best companion, Mike the bike, but I am thrilled that the country I will be living in has a massive biking culture.
Torrey Pines Gliderport, a gorgeous view of the Pacific Ocean. I will now be gazing at the coast of the Atlantic Ocean.
Geisel Library, where I spent many long nights studying. Shout out to my Math 20D study group, that was truly goated. #Kisunbestprof
The gorgeous La Jolla mansions along a hike to a hidden swing… I bet their owners have visited Amsterdam.
One of the many caves in La Jolla Cove, where Rachel & I tried to kayak. Ben, Jimmy, and I stumbled down there, where it looked like an Indiana Jones scene.
Some of the wildest memories, getting tossed into barrels and hanging with surfer Bill. Cowabunga!
Art sale along La Jolla Cove, which was every weekend. The Dutch love their art museums, too.
Old Town coffee spot with Emma. Where I will be living, “coffee shops” actually sell weed.
Del Mar dog beach, where I celebrated my 20th birthday. I will be celebrating my 21st in a country that starts with the letter “N.”
You made it this far, could you guess it? I am happy to announce that I will be attending Utrecht University in the Netherlands this upcoming academic year! You can follow my study abroad journey by subscribing to this blog and to my YouTube channel. Thank you for reading Chapter One!
Drops of Jupiter 
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