New escapades

I leave for Eastern Europe today! It is my first time there and will be landing in Croatia and working my way north. Stay tuned for plenty of pictures and posts.

Small fish, Big pond

The number of young Australian’s moving overseas for study or work has increased substantially in recent years, especially to the United Kingdom.  Many travel abroad for work, study or a holiday but some are there in pursuit of something more.  We talk to three young Aussies who travel abroad to chase their dreams…

There are many reasons young people move overseas. Usually, it is for a number of reasons such as family, love, work, study, or travel. But the deciding factor that pushes most to make the big move is the pursuit of a life long dream. For 26-year-old Brisbane fashion graduate, Aimee Kahl, it was a case of potluck that lead her to her dream job in London.

“I had always wanted to live and work overseas but never thought I’d have the guts to do it. On the suggestion of a friend of mine, I applied for a scholarship through the Queensland Overseas Foundation in 2011 and to my surprise I got it!” Aimee says.

By mid 2012, Aimee was living in London and she applied for a job as Production Coordinator for a quirky English brand called Lazy Oaf. After wooing the manager at her interview, she was given the job, and the rest is history.

“After a year, I still have to pinch myself everyday because I can’t believe how lucky I am to have such an incredible job in London, she says.

“On almost a daily basis, I get to meet and work with incredible, creative people who are endlessly inspiring.”

19-year-old Spanish born and Australian raised student, Jessica Lopez-Casas it seemed like a natural progression to study overseas. She had always wanted to go and study at The London College of the Arts and her admiration for the college soon turned into a dream that she just had to pursue… all the way to London. Jess says studying abroad was a once in a lifetime opportunity and a perfect resolution to her desires.

“My college immersed us in British culture and encouraged us to make the most of our studying abroad experience,” she says.

One of my closest friends just returned from a three month adventure across Europe. I asked her to write a memoir of her best experiences to share

Life is what you make of it, and so is Ios! When my travel buddy and I hopped off the ferry and stepped head into the blazing Grecian sun; us and 2000 of our closest friends squeezing out behind us trying to get their first glimpse of the island of Ios. Before our arrival I was told over and over again that Ios is the Ibiza of Greece, a crazy party hub for young Australian alcoholics who don’t care what country they’re in as long as there is beer. This sounded like everything we never wanted, travelling thousands of miles to hang out with the same group of people we left Australia to avoid, but it was so cheap that we couldn’t resist! 

The “Francesco’s Hostel” shuttle bus collected us from the port and as we crawled our way up the spectacular rocky hillside the young Australian driver informed all 20 young Australian passengers (and one lonesome American) of the cheapest place to buy alcohol, the morning after pill and many other illicit substances. After a charming tale of an Irish girl defecating on a boys floor during a wild one night stand, I started seriously considering that this was not the place for me. Little did I know that the next 4 days would be spent leisurely strolling the endless crooked, beautiful ally ways, treating on delectably addictive gyros at painfully cheap prices and sleeping the days away on serene shores with no Southern Cross tattoos in sight. 

It goes to show that you can have whatever kind of holiday you please, wherever you are in the world, based on your own choices and ideas! If you don’t want the welcome shot, don’t take it, if you don’t want to be surrounded by culturally deficient sex addicts, do some research and find a less explored area that isn’t highlighted as ‘the place to be’. By no means do I suggest skipping the main attractions all together, but sometimes you’ll find that the places you hadn’t heard of will be the ones you never forget.

Sydney

I recently took a weekend getaway interstate to Sydney. It was just lovely to spend my days wandering around the Harbour or lazing on Bondi, eating macaroons from Laduree and shopping through Topshop, Zara and various different boutiques! I went a bit wild and purchased about five tops, a dress with spike collar, a pair of top shop high waisters and three pairs of shoes.

Visions

I am loving the ethereal sounds of Grimes' album Visions. Despite the fact that Oblivion has been blasting on every road trip I have made over the past few months, songs like Genesis, Vowels and Colour of Moonlight have also been favorites of mine. The cosmic melodies and chilling vocals of this Canadian firecracker make her songs so unique and fun, not to mention her quirky style and edgy pastel pink hair! This album will be cooling my airwaves all Spring and Summer long for sure.

Europe 2012