The Quill Volume 6 Issue 5

QUILL

THE

VOLUME 6 ISSUE 5 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2018

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THE TEAM 2

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Mr. MARK COOPRIDER Advisor

punpun leelamanthep & AMY Limtrajiti editor-in-chiefs

pawan wirawarn art director

Editors

Arjav Sanghavi Erica Kim Pumpanchat Suthisamphat Serumi Yoon Karuna Khatri Kharis Fullington

writers

Allan Rubio Amy Jain Arjav Sanghavi Charlotte Muehleck Daniel Shin Emily Rubio Hayoung You Hyunwoo Koh Joseph Ha Jessica Shah Jooyoung Kim

Mckenna Sanchez Minki Kwon Nate Ronnakiat Pam Rangchaikul Pollisa Tien-iam-arnan Tawan Petpaiboon Tayida Chaiyakiturajai Vichida Phisitkul Yeji Park Joey Chao Pann Sripitak Matthew Muehleck

photographers

Ruchipat Kumpusiri Apichaya Sethaudom Artch Dechpokked Chayut Srirungrojana Joanna Pinsuvana Nutthun Tulayathun Thaam Limwattananon

Werawut Withayarukson Cherry Choi Beam Yongphiphatwong Apitta Thaveeprungsiporn Sanata Wangpattanamongkol Thapakorn Yongphiphatwong Pawan Wirawarn

layout designers

Ruchipat Kumpusiri Kantapat Jungpaibul Napatsorn Chadanuntakul Natuchkamon Ngammuang Sirinda Vongsrirungruang Beam Yongphiphatwong Nikunta Piyaket Plaifon Ruengarak

Thananun Kanchanachayphoom Teerach Songwatana Prakhun Wongmahapaul Burapon Wasusopon Haeun You Hannah Kim Clara Park Pawan Wirawarn

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contents 4

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reactor entrepreneurship camp

international day

Early University Acceptance Interviews: Allan Rubio PunPun Leelamunthep bon boonchaiwattana Minki Kwon Hammy Deevisetpunt Pote Raktakanishta Jingjo Withayarukson Stephen Pyon

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Eagle’s Eye: prin phunyaphibarn Eagle’s Eye: ai tulayathun Alumni Interview:

Shasha eiam Alumni Interview

ramona sripitak Alumni Interview

kung narkcharoen

WANDERLUST

Thananun Kanchanachayphoom Teerach Songwatana Prakhun Wongmahapaul Burapon Wasusopon Haeun You Hannah Kim Clara Park Pawan Wirawarn

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REACTOR

Entrepreneurship

Camp Words by Krisha Gandhi Photos by Joanna Pinsuvana

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The tension was building as each team cheered and fought for credits in REACTOR, one of Asia’s leading entrepreneurship and innovation programmes for students. ICS is holding this camp for the first time, from January 25 - 27 2019.

Our school recruited professional entrepreneurs from around the world, including countries such as Taiwan and Singapore.

They organized for us entertaining activities that allowed students to gain insight on how to start their own business.

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REACTOR was set to be a self-learning experience, where the professionals supervise and give advice on the businesses that students created.

The students were asked to make groups consisting of four or five people, choose a topic they were passionate about, and start a business from it. Some groups constructed models like presentations and websites to explain what their business did. There were all sorts of businesses created, such as ones that dealt with domestic

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To wrap up, the camp ended with a competition where students pitch about their businesses and fight and stand up for their plans and ideas.

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INTERNATI

Written by Photos by Pa

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IONAL DAY

y Agrim Jain awan Wirawarn

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On Friday, February 22, ICS celebrated the beauty and diversity of various cultures. The day-long festival of International Day started with students wearing their traditional dresses during the school day. The hallways were filled with a number of students representing their respective cultures. While some students dressed up in simple clothing, others dressed up in a more fancy traditional attire. It was not only a day of learning in school, but also a look at people from different cultures interacting, which showed the diverse community of ICS. After school was finished, several booths were set up with interactive games and delicious foods. The students, parents, and even the staff members of ICS crowded around these booths and were keen on trying out different kind of foods that they normally don’t eat. Some examples of the diverse array of foods include the Korean kimbap, the American cupcakes, and the Indian samosas.

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After the meals were over, the day ended with lively and enthralling performances. It started with the procession of the flags, in which selected students represented their countries on the stage. After the flags were presented, the students went on stage to represent their country either by singing, dancing, or even acting. Some eye-catching performances were the Aor Jai Aeoy, in which the juniors showcased a taste of both classical and modern Thai culture. Along with Aor Jai Aeoy, another stellar performance was the Taiwanese Chinese Martial Art Dance, which consisted of students from elementary to high school performing martial arts. The Desi Dhamaka, with students from middle and high school, performed the latest Hindi songs, and gave all their hearts into it while performing.

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Last but not least, another stupefying performance was the Thai Costume Fashion Show, where the juniors presented the beautiful traditional costumes from each era in the Thai Kingdom. Other groups were also spectacular, putting forth a lot of energy and giving all they had towards their performance. All in all, it was a day to remember with a celebration of ICS’ diverse community.

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Allan Rubio ARTMOUTH COLLEGE

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“

My favorite classes throughout high school were always the science courses and I always enjoyed reading about new discoveries online. I hope that one day I’ll be able to contribute to these discoveries and learn more about this world. Since I’m attending a liberal arts college, I’ll be having a very broad academic curriculum until my junior year, when I can pick my major. Right now, I intend to major in biochemistry.

I never thought my chances of getting it was high, but I was pretty okay waiting for my results until the last day. I found out on the first day of midterm exams so it was torture taking the exams with the lingering thoughts of my application in the back of my mind.

I wish I could have been involved with the same things throughout all 4 years, but I had to sacrifice some commitments simply because there wasn’t enough time to keep up with everything.

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PUNPUN LEELAMANTHEP carnegie mellon university: information systems

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“

Four days before the admission decision was released, I was struggling to concentrate on my work. I still recall how I surfed the internet relentlessly, checking various websites to see previous years’ statistics, how I sent thousands of texts to my sister, and how I video-called some of my closest friends to get my mind off the stress.

That was all that was on my mind for four days! The day finally came. Like many others waiting, seconds felt like ages. When it was the decision release time at 9:00:00, I refreshed the browser one last time. “Congratulations” was all I hoped to see.

Although I am ecstatic that I am accepted into my dream school, I realize that the hardest part has yet to come. People think the application process is overwhelming, but it is only the first step to a successful college experience, whatever your definition may be. I have listened and reflected upon the stories my sister, a senior at Carnegie Mellon, has shared. I would be lying if I said I’m not nervous for the coming four years.

I am scared, yet excited for the opportunity to push myself. I am nervous, yet thrilled to explore new things and continue to strive for success.

A piece of advice would be to start early, whether it is participating in developing your passion through extracurricular activities or reflecting on your personal statement. The sooner, the better! It’s always better to have more time to plan your topic, consolidate your thoughts, and represent your best self. At the very least, you will have some wiggle room if you need it. But more importantly, starting this process does more than strengthen your profile for a college application. It allows you to unearth your passion and discover who you really are and who you want to be. In the end, that may be all that matters: figuring out who we are and becoming the best version of ourselves.

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bon boonchaiwattana new york university: Business & Finance

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I got into NYU Stern School of Business, and I am planning to major in Business with a concentration in Finance.

Personally, I like big cities and I wanted to go to college with good internship opportunities, and this happened to be NYU. After deciding to apply there, I looked at the requirements and researched about their schools, which helped me know which tests to take and how to write my applications.

Honestly, I wasn’t really nervous because I was overwhelmed by the applying process, but when I got the acceptance letter I was extremely delighted that I got accepted and did not have to go through this tiresome process again.

At NYU, my main objective would be to make long-term relationships with the people there, as well as to be successful in college. And definitely getting a good internship to get a leg up in the applying for a job. After graduating from college, I think my plan would be to get a job as an analyst in an asset management firm or in an investment bank. Then, I think I will get an MBA, hopefully at Wharton or Harvard.

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minki kwon Waseda Department of Political Science and Economics

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I’m a bad person to ask for that because my application process was super last minute. I was scared my mail wasn’t going to apply on time. Learn from my mistakes and what I didn’t do, and set personal due dates that are at least a week before the actual due dates. That way, you’d be able to actually get things in on time and not have to stress at the end. Also, when I looked into universities, I wasn’t being super picky.

I didn’t look at the geographic location or other sites around it, and now I’m dealing with those choices. So make sure you research more and know what you’re getting into.

I’m looking forward to meeting people. Sometimes it’s frustrating to be in such a small community - when I lived in the Philippines I attended a super small school, and ICS is a small Christian school. Going to a place where there are thousands of people I’ve never met before is something completely new to me. The prospect of getting to know people and not knowing everyone is definitely something I look forward to.

Whenever I do anything lazy in any of my classes, I have this friend who always tells me “Oh, you think you can be lazy just because you got accepted into college?” And I’d answer “Yeah.” Make sure you get everything done early, and your life will be so much more fun and easy.

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Hammy Deevisetpunt

Mahidol University Faculty of Medicine Ramath

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hibodi Hospital

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I applied to this university, along with several others, because I want to study medicine. There are many great points about this university, and I am certain that this program would provide the necessary knowledge, skills, and experience that would allow me to become a qualified doctor that could benefit society.

There were only two days between the interview and the announcement date, so I did not have much time to panic (although I am usually a fairly calm person). Even though I felt like my interview went well, I was certainly nervous because I knew that everyone else also had the potential and that it would be no surprise if there were many others who performed better than me.

I felt very happy that I got accepted into my dream university and that my years of hard work and preparation had finally paid off. However, I realized that this was just the end of one journey and this acceptance meant the beginning of an even more challenging one. I am looking forward to, and honestly also intimidated by, the massive changes that would soon occur, whether that would be in studies or lifestyle. In addition to gaining more knowledge in the medical field, I am also excited to learn more about myself as these changes take place in my life.

No matter how challenging this process is, always stay on track and never give up at any point along the way. Everything will be fine!

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Pote Raktakanishta Mahidol University: Faculty of Dentistry

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“

I decided that I wanted to be a dentist in my sophomore year but it was much later during senior year that I realized I wanted to get into Mahidol the most. I had to prepare for 4 SAT subject tests: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Math 2. I had no problem with biology and chemistry, but physics and math weren’t my strongest points so I felt really stressed when I was studying for them. When I got into the interview rounds, I realized that I also had to do a skills test which made me even more stressed since I had little to no skills in the art department.

I had put unnecessary stress on myself by applying to very little dentistry faculties, but Mahidol was the one I was actually interested in. So when I saw my name on the list, I felt really relieved that all the work I’ve put in had paid off. I haven’t really thought about my future plans yet, but I guess it’ll be another long 6 years of school; just that this time it isn’t school, it’s college.

I’m really bad at giving advice but I guess I have one: don’t do what I did. I decided to apply and prepare only for Mahidol dentistry and the other places I had applied to weren’t actually faculties I wanted to get in. Yes, you should know your goal and work as hard as you can towards it, but you also need your second choice to be somewhere you really want to go. Another advice would be to not make your senior year only about college, work, or even Capstone. There can be so much more to senior year if you just stop for a bit and enjoy some time with your friends.

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Jingjo Withayarukson

Chulalongkorn University’s Bachelor of Business Administration

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“

I got the good news around two months ago. I know it’s risky, but I only applied to one university in Thailand. It was definitely my top choice because I wanted to stay in Thailand for my bachelors degree.

It took me a while to prepare for the SAT – 1 year to be exact. Consistently practicing the test is the key to acing SAT, especially the math part. After a hard working period, I felt very satisfied when I got accepted. The worries and stresses I had for years were finally let go.

My plan for the future is to study hard in college and carry on my family business. My main advice would be to strive towards your goals and find out what you want to do in the future. Set a goal and do whatever to achieve it.

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stephen pyon

brown university

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(likely letter)

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I felt pretty anxious while waiting for the admission result. I applied early decision to Brown, and waiting for that was a killer. When I found out that I got deferred, I panicked and started applying to A LOT of colleges just left and right! Once everything was sent off, I knew all I could do was wait. When I received the likely letter recently, I was pretty excited (I still am!). First of all, I wasn't expecting it at all, so to open my email and see it was a pleasant surprise. Plus, when I got deferred, I was pretty ready for a straight-up rejection because that's how I thought deferrals usually went. But now, I'm super excited to have the chance to maybe go to Brown. It's also kinda relieving because I can go to college somewhere!

I honestly don't know what my future plans are. As of right now, I want to study either biochemistry or biomedical engineering. I guess I'll just keep doing what I've done in high school, trying my best and exploring the world!

My advice for underclassmen thinking about college is to find what you like. It'd pay off well to just sit down and figure out what you care about and do things based off that. It really could be anything – from a certain subject or just studying in general, to sports, to people, to service, or whatever! I think a lot of what I had to do was look back on everything I did and retrospectively define my motivations. Set your motivation earlier and live by that!

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EAGLEs’ EYE

PRIN

PHUNYAPHIBARN Interview by Joey Chso Photos by Proud Sethaudom

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Would you mind giving us a short description of yourself?

Hello, my name is Prin. I came to ICS in 2016 and now I’m a junior.

that I would start one myself. Being the president of the chess club has taught me to stay calm when things go awry and keep planning ahead, which helps as school life is chaotic at times.

Why did you become the president of the Chess Club?

How did it affect your school life?

I had always been interested in chess since before I came to ICS (albeit I wasn’t very good at it), and that interest increased when I joined Mr. Scott’s lunch chess club. When I found out that ICS had no official chess club, I decided

What fuels your interest in computer science? Also, what is the reason you decided to take two computer science courses this year?

To be honest, I wasn’t very interested in computer science until not too long ago, when my cousin introduced me to the field of machine learning.

Machine learning is a subfield of

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Artificial Intelligence that concerns itself with machines learning to mimic human behavior and characteristics. I fell in love with the beauty of machine learning and, as a result, computer science. I originally intended to only take AP computer science A this year but due to scheduling conflicts, I ended up having to take AP computer science principles as well. It’s not a bad thing, really - computer science A teaches only coding while computer science principles complements it by exploring other aspects of computer science.

Taking both computer science courses really paints a fuller picture of computer science than taking them individually.

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Given your expertise in computer science and physics, do you think you will pursue a career related to those fields?

I am aiming to pursue a career in computer science, particularly in the field of machine learning. I think that the field has promise as it is a widely proliferating field and it’s a very interesting field as well.

What competitions have you participated in outside of school?

I have participated in the English division of the เพชรยอดมงกุฎ competition, as well as the SASMO and TIMO math competitions.

I got 8th place in the เพชรยอด มงกุฎ competition, gold medal in SASMO, and silver medal in TIMO. I 42

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started entering the เพชรยอดมงกุฎ competition when I was in 7th grade, SASMO when I was in 9th grade, and TIMO during 11th grade.

What hobbies do you have outside of school?

I play the piano during my spare time and have played for my church and also for Night of Worship. As I mentioned before, I enjoy playing chess online as it helps develop the mind and creates the good habit of evaluating every decision before going along with it.

How has junior year impacted your life? Did you have any new struggles that you had to overcome?

Junior year is a significant year for me.

During my sophomore year, I felt as though I was a failure and that nothing was going right for me. Needless to say, I was extremely stressed out last year.

When this school year came, I decided that I would not stress out too much and that resulted in this year to be much more enjoyable than the last. My struggles this year are all spiritual. As a Christian, I know that I am a follower of Christ and should trust him and live my life accordingly. That hasn’t been happening and I struggle a lot with keeping my pride from taking me away from God.

What are your main goals for next year?

My main goals for next year is to be more sociable and less introverted.

In conclusion, do you have any tips for the upcoming juniors?

Life isn’t about studying as hard as you can and spending sleepless nights preparing for an upcoming exam. Try to balance your personal life, academics, and health. Don’t be afraid of failing either; the key to doing well in quizzes, tests, and exams is to learn from your mistakes. Sometimes mistakes may do you far more good than harm. Lastly, learn to prioritize. Junior year is a busy year due to all the APs and SATs so try to focus on what matters the most to you rather than spreading yourself out too thin.

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EAGLEs’ EYE

Ai Tulayathun Interview by Yeji Park Photos by Aim Kumpusiri

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HELLO, AI! CAN YOU QUICKLY INTRODUCE YOURSELF? Hi! My name is Ai, and I’m in tenth grade. My friends call me “A-I”, but I’m not a robot, so I guess that’s good.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE HOBBIES? I love calligraphy or hand lettering because it’s a form of art that doesn’t really rely on one’s artistic skills. You just have to practice a lot and earn the consistency. I’m also into photography, sleeping, eating, baking, and watching college gymnastics 46

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HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN DOING CALLIGRAPHY? I’ve been doing modern calligraphy since eighth grade, so that’s about 2 years, but I had always liked writing things in different fonts before then. I remember in Mr. Aaron’s Social Studies class, we had to make cover pages for our ISNs, and he would not be satisfied with mine until I actually made the title an ancient font. As for the real calligraphy with dip pens, I just started practicing it towards the beginning of last year, so that’s pretty new to me.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE WORKS? HOW LONG DID IT TAKE YOU TO MAKE THEM? Honestly, this is hard to answer because I change my mind all the time. Right now, I’m really into watercolor lettering because it’s something I had not done in a long while; it’s pretty hard to control the brush. Basically, anything that’s watercolor is my favorite for now. I also post some of my favorite works on Instagram (@c.ai.lligraphy), so go check it out! Usually, they take anything between 10 to 30 minutes to make, depending on the length of the quotes and how I decorate them. This is usually done during my brain break because it’s a relaxing activity and it distracts me from all my schoolwork.

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HOW HAVE YOU SHARED YOUR WORKS? DO YOU HAVE ANY PLATFORMS THAT YOU USE? Yes, and thank you for bringing that up! As mentioned before, I have an Instagram account called ‘@c.ai.lligraphy’. It’s just a platform where I post random things such as writings and pictures that I take. I try to post once in a few days, depending on my homework, tests, and projects. I usually write something each day, but the videos take some time to edit and I’m definitely a procrastinator. Apart from that, I also share my work with the ICS community in forms of Christmas cards and I’m open for requests - just direct message me on Instagram or email me!

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WHAT DREW YOU INTO CALLIGRAPHY? When I was young, my mom was a part of this “moms who volunteer to teach at school” group at my old school, and she would make posters about different things they taught each week. I remember watching her write the titles in Thai so neatly yet beautifully, and I wanted to be able to do that one day. I was and still am inspired by the hand lettering community of Instagram as well. These people are super supportive of one another. I got to know a lot of them and they inspire me to try new tricks and new styles of lettering.

A week ago, I “met” a Thai girl who lives in Oklahoma and she’s really good at calligraphy. I then found out that she’s also a RavenPuff like me (for all you Harry Potter fans out there), so I was kind of excited about that.

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shasha eiam ICS Class of 2016

university of newcastle

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Tell us a little bit about yourself!

Well, my nickname is Shasha. I'm a Christian and I'm currently studying Speech and Language Therapy in Newcastle, United Kingdom. My favorite meal of the day will always be breakfast and I'm pretty sure I can live on just fries alone. My all-time celebrity crush is Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson (I mean, who doesn't have a crush on him?) and my coolest injury story would be a torn tendon from arm wrestling before Mr. Neil's Biology class.

What is your favorite memory at ICS? It would be impossible to choose just one favorite memory at ICS, but if I really had to, it would be Eagles’ Camp (all of them, actually!). The chats and friendships that grow from that weekend is not something you can find easily!

How is university going so far?

University is going great so far. I'm loving my degree more and more, and the things I'm learning fascinate me so much. I am continuously awestruck by God's mercy and love. The first few months of university was rough, but God used so many people to guide me through it and shape me into who I am now.

If you can travel back in time to meet your 15-year-old self, what advice would you give?

Ooh, meeting my 15-year-old self? I would advise 15-year-old Shasha to say “no” when that hairdresser suggested some wacky hairstyles that would "look good on me" (I did not have good hair days). But on a serious note, I'd advise myself to spend more time thinking about my priorities. I spent way too much time worrying about grades, impressing friends and living up to expectations, when I should’ve been thinking about what really matters in life and what will truly satisfy and fill the hole in your heart. Now that I know, grades, money, friends, and a boyfriend will never provide the all-satisfying love that God can.

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Do you have any general tips for ICS high school students?

My general tip for ICS students would be to appreciate the here and now. You guys will hear this often from alumni that ICS is special and the relationships you have in ICS will be so different from anywhere else. I want to confirm that that's true; appreciate it and don't rush to grow up! Run around with your bare feet, enjoy the sky every time you cross that super hot soccer field and chat with your teachers! (You might find that lame but they're pretty cool and they've got a lot of wisdom to share with you). But most importantly, give Jesus a chance. I know it's easy to snooze off during chapel but maybe just once, try to stay awake. The things you hear might actually change your life.

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Ramona Sripitak ICS Class of 2018

University of Pennsylvania How would you describe yourself in a few words?

I would say that I’m very persistent and goal-oriented.

What or who inspires you to achieve your career goals?

As mentioned above, I am very goal-oriented and less driven by personal passion, but seeing the accomplishments of people who are working in my intended field motivates me to work hard.

What was the transition from high school to college like?

In the beginning, the transition really took me out of my own comfort zone, since I had to meet an overwhelming number of new people, and the culture here is very different from the one I was used to in Thailand. Overall, though, I would say my first semester at UPenn was extremely fun - the people really “work hard, play hard”.

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Do you have any high school achievements that you’re proud of?

Underclassmen, don’t hate me for saying this - I enjoyed doing my capstone, and it was very meaningful to me. I was very involved in the personal lives of other people and was able to clearly see the project’s results in the end.

What do you miss most about ICS and your senior year?

Please don’t let me start talking about this! I really miss my senior year, especially second semester, because I had so much time to spend and travel around with friends (and grades did not matter as much). But what I miss most would probably be my somtum lunches and random conversations with teachers who were on duty during lunch!

How did you know that UPenn was the right fit for you?

On my college list, Penn was one of the more social schools that heavily emphasized extracurriculars and campus club experiences. I really value this part of Penn, especially how pre-professional and goal-oriented it is. In addition, it is located close to the city - a “need” for what I look for in colleges!

How would you describe your average day at UPenn?

My days are usually super packed! After classes end in the late afternoon, I have to attend club meetings and events in the evening, then finish my work or studies after.

There are always new things to do if you want to keep yourself busy !!

How would you summarize the overall character of UPenn students?

A stereotypical Penn student is very talkative (and when I say talkative, I mean they will not stop talking), very outgoing and involved on campus, and extremely hardworking.

Aside from the academics, what is your favorite way to get involved on and off campus?

Because Penn has an extremely intense club culture, I believe the best way to get involved on campus is to take advantage of all the opportunities offered here. On my less busy weekends, I would wander around Philly’s Center City and get good brunch food!

Do you have any plans for the future?

Not yet. My plans and interests are still changing. I’m exploring the different fields I want to pursue!

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kung narkcharoen ICS Class of 2018

rice university Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

My name is Kung, and I graduated from ICS in 2018. I first attended ICS when I was in K5, and I stayed at ICS till I graduated, which amounts to 13 fantastic years. Right now, I am at Rice, a small private university in Houston, Texas.

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What are you majoring in? Why did you choose the major that you did?

As of now, I am planning on majoring in Mechanical Engineering, with a minor in Engineering Design. Personally, I think the defining moment in my major decision process was the STEM camp that I attended during the winter of my senior year. It was 3 days of doing engineering work alongside engineers, and future engineers.

On the last day, as we were finishing up our last designing task, I looked around the room and felt that that was where I belonged (with others who shared my passion for engineering). It can be hard in a small, diverse environment to be certain about what you are passionate about, so I encourage you to immerse yourself in the environments that you are likely to be in if you were to get into those careers. This can be internships, camps, design projects, etc.

What is your opinion on selective colleges, just like Rice?

I think the main difference between selective and non-selective schools is the accessibility to resources, specifically professors. In selective schools, you are taught by some of the best in the field, and I think that that is really special. It is also worth mentioning that both selective and non-selective schools do the job of educating you, so choose the one that fits you and your values, because that is the one where you will perform the best in.

What would you say to people who are uncertain of what they want to do in the future?

A few of my friends here still don’t know what they want to do in the future, so you have nothing to worry about.

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Having studied at ICS for 13 years, how would you say your background has impacted you on your journey in college?

Being able to interact with people from various backgrounds during my time at ICS through SALT trips, Capstone, community service, and charity campaigns (such as the Christmas shoebox) shaped me to be understanding and empathetic towards others.

What are some things you are looking forward to?

I am someone who thinks that there is something to look forward to every day because no two days are the same. Every day, I look forward to learning new things and gaining new experiences.

What is the hardest part about college?

Time management (my roommate’s answer). Your schedule definitely changes, and you no longer go to school from 7:20 to 2:20. You have school, homework, and all the other things you have to do all jumbled up. If you don’t manage your time efficiently and aren’t diligent, you can fall behind in a matter of 2 or 3 days.

Any final words?

You don’t have to be perfect. There is no perfection in this world.

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WANDERLUST Pizza lovers, it’s time to go to the place where it all began… Italy! And yes, there is a lot more to Italy than just pizza and gelato. So, if you are wondering where to head to for your next spring or summer vacation, then Italy should definitely be one of the places on that list. Offering a variety of scenic scapes, Italy has something for everyone. From the urban junkies to the rural contemplators, it spans a wide range of geographical landscapes; from white sand, crystal blue beaches and tons of islands to mountains, valleys, and volcanoes.

Not only is there physical beauty but Italy is home to so much history and such a rich culture you could just immerse yourself in.

If you love hills and mountains and you’re interested in learning about the renaissance period, then I’d suggest going to Florence, Tuscany. Florence is covered with art and is home to Michelangelo’s statue of David. You can spend evenings atop beautiful hills overlooking the sunset with the city beneath it.

Tuscany will provide you with the truly rustic and romantic charm that Italy is known for. After visiting Florence, if the summer breeze and the ocean are calling out to you, then definitely head over to Cinque Terre along the Italian Riviera coastline. This quaint little town is dotted with colorful buildings that run next to the water.

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Moving along with the beach theme, you might want to hit Naples next and visit Sorrento, Pompeii and Amalfi. Sorrento and Amalfi are two towns fairly close to each other, yet each offers its own unique beauty and charm of the ocean view and cobbled stone streets. These towns offer the best pictures with a background of gorgeous cliffs that dive down into the water. A hop skip and jump away lies Mount Vesuvius where you can explore its aftermath on the city of Pompeii when it erupted almost 2,000 years ago. If you haven’t been quite as north as you wanted to be then climb back up to visit Milan.

In Milan you will find one truly hidden gem when you visit Lake Como. A dramatic and picturesque view of the Alps in the background and the Y-shaped lake in front of you, Lake Como presents the holiday lover’s dream vacation spot. You will find many luxurious hotels located here as well, and the city is filled with architecture from the Renaissance period. Although there are still so many more places to visit in Italy such as Venice, Rome, Sicily, etc. and so many more foods we could have explored, I decided to share some of the fewer common ones that tourists usually visit. Not that these aren’t tourist filled spots, because they definitely are and hopefully more interesting and worthwhile.

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