SMU Travel Bug » SMU Travel Bug http://smutravelbug.com where in the world are sierra, cody, and shelley? Mon, 31 May 2010 01:00:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 en hourly 1 World Travelbugs Africa teaser http://smutravelbug.com/2009/10/28/world-travelbugs-africa-teaser/ http://smutravelbug.com/2009/10/28/world-travelbugs-africa-teaser/#comments Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:22:12 +0000 SMU Travel Bug http://smutravelbug.com/?p=1089

]]> http://smutravelbug.com/2009/10/28/world-travelbugs-africa-teaser/feed/ 0 The Bug Necessities: What to p… http://smutravelbug.com/2009/10/02/the-bug-necessities-what-to-p/ http://smutravelbug.com/2009/10/02/the-bug-necessities-what-to-p/#comments Fri, 02 Oct 2009 23:35:23 +0000 SMU Travel Bug http://smutravelbug.com/2009/10/02/the-bug-necessities-what-to-p/ The Bug Necessities: What to pack for your own European Adventure
http://bit.ly/afV6t

]]> http://smutravelbug.com/2009/10/02/the-bug-necessities-what-to-p/feed/ 0 Thank you just doesn’t cut it!!! http://smutravelbug.com/2009/06/17/thank-you-just-doesnt-cut-it/ http://smutravelbug.com/2009/06/17/thank-you-just-doesnt-cut-it/#comments Thu, 18 Jun 2009 04:25:56 +0000 SMU Travel Bug http://smutravelbug.com/?p=320 Daniel Liu

“The Web Mastermind.” Daniel, you are a genius. Really. We can’t thank you enough for taking the plunge with us to get this venture up and running. Thanks for lending us your unparalleled expertise in the wacky world of web design.  Thanks just isn’t enough for giving up your time and jumping on board with us when we weren’t even sure where this gig was headed. Your ability to do anything and everything computer related has us floored. We’ll miss our numerous hours-long Travel Bug Boot Camp sessions in Sig Ep, and the long skype conference chats while you’re in New Zealand Zorbing away. We’ll never forget all the work you put into this project!

Dean Niemi
What can I say. An incredible Dean, mentor, and friend. SMU COX business school wouldn’t be so great apart from this man.  You were instrumental in Sierra’s first study abroad trip through Australia and Asia last summer. Now you are essential to the success she has attained in getting this program started. Thank you for sponsoring her and for all the encouragement through the years.   Without your support, this trip would not be possible.

Tyler Williams
Two words: “Photo Wizard.” Uhh…not sure we would exist with out this guy. I mean you did some of EVERYTHING and a great job at it. Thank you so much for the time you put into the SMU TB and for putting up with the Bee’s and sometimes frantic phone calls. We owe our business cards to you. Thanks for sharing your brilliant creativity, your time, and your rad jeep. You’ve helped us every step of the way. We’ll knight you our intern ‘preying mantis’ so better be seein your face in the land of the Croates!  Everyone should check out his photo’s here: http://twilliams4.deviantart.com/.

Allison Hilliard
A role model and friend, thanks so much for volunteering your time and effort into making us look good….as bug’s. Your graphic design skills are like no other!

Lindsay Clark
As STA’s World Travel Intern 2009, you are an inspiration to us and have been instrumental in this process. Thanks for keeping up with the Busy Bee through countless emails answering all of our hundreds of questions, offering suggestions, and sharing your resources from excursions past. You encourage, excite, and are true knowledge bank. Learning from you has made us all pumped for this summer.  We hope we can do the same for those viewing here. We can’t wait to follow you this summer. This girl is a machine. check out her blog: http://nomadderwhere.com/

Mrs. Anderson
We can’t thank you enough for lending us your time and travel expertise in planning this voyage from the very beginning! We definitely could not have coordinated all of our transportation and travel locations without you! You’re an inspiration to us all and your encouragement and support mean the world.
Thanks mom for the late night chats helping us to coordinate our itinerary and for giving me that jump-start when I was young. You dragged me, Whitney, and Memry around 35 + countries in three years time! How did you do it? Having traveled to over 80 countries yourself I have some catching up to do!
Susan Kress
As director of the SMU study abroad office, your support of this program means more to us than we can express. Thank you for helping us to deepen our goals for this program and your faith in our ability to accomplish them.
Cody’s two cents on Susan…We went in to a meeting with this fascinating lady and she made our heart start racing with excitement for this journey. She has the ability to instill the adventure desire by talking about her trip to Tom Thumb. (That was a really poorly formed sentence. It might improve as I continue to write over the next few months, but probably not.) You can tell international affairs is her passion and it’s infectious, much like a bug… (wink wink).

Shelby Anderson
Thanks to Sierra’s bro! Shelby you were such a generous contributor to this program. You went over and above…and with out you it would have been very difficult. Of course after three tours in Iraq, you would want her to take those ‘weapons’ along. Thank you for taking the time to compile a list of safety precautions for this busy bee and for your interest in her summer plans. You’re the best!
Monica Neveklovská
Thanks girl for letting us borrow your mad cam skills. I mean seriously,  those pics you took on the boulevard were awesome!

Cyndee Riviera
Thanks to you Cyndee we are going to look legit in our awesome homemade SMU Travel Bug t-shirts! We will be sporting them the whole way so thank you again Cyndee. Can’t wait to see them!

Diego Contreras
What would we do with out friends like you who are masters in the world of photoshop! thanks Diego for your logo engineering.

Our Profs
Pat Kriska, Sierra’s advisor and entrepreneurship prof, was her first source of SMU encouragement! You are a testament of adventure and knowledge. University’s need more free spirits like you. Thank you for the after class chats, reviewing all of the scribbles, and offering up all your insight!

Thank you also to all of our professors Jack Miao, James Kindley, Edward Fox, Jayne Suhler, Jake Batsell, Dean of Meadows Jose Bowen, and chair of Journalism Tony Pederson for taking the time to meet with us and believing in this program enough to stand by and support it. To each of you who trusted in our vision and goal to share our experiences abroad with the SMU community and with the world, we are so appreciative. And it’s because of you that we are equipped to carry out such an endevor. You’ve encouraged us and inspired us to pursue this next step, and we plan on doing it big!

Friends and Family
Guys… we love you. Thanks for all your input, advice, support, encouragement, and putting up with our often (always) crazy antics! We appreciate your excitement and look forward to you joining us on our journeys!

]]> http://smutravelbug.com/2009/06/17/thank-you-just-doesnt-cut-it/feed/ 2 Part 9: Transit Stage “Ferry fun” http://smutravelbug.com/2009/06/12/part-9-transit-stage/ http://smutravelbug.com/2009/06/12/part-9-transit-stage/#comments Fri, 12 Jun 2009 18:46:56 +0000 SMU Travel Bug http://smutravelbug.com/?p=230 We will board the ’superfast’ ferry and float through the mediteranean, slummin on the decks, swapping stories and mingling with fellow travlers. We’ll be catching our zzzs under the stars and hopefully sail to sleep to the strum of a guitar. (I hope someone on board plays an instrument…otherwise cody can just sing us a song.)

]]> http://smutravelbug.com/2009/06/12/part-9-transit-stage/feed/ 2 Part 12: Switzerland http://smutravelbug.com/2009/06/12/part-12-switzerland/ http://smutravelbug.com/2009/06/12/part-12-switzerland/#comments Fri, 12 Jun 2009 18:39:34 +0000 SMU Travel Bug http://smutravelbug.com/?p=218 Sporting four national languages (French, German, Italian, Romansh) this small densely populated nation of the ‘great outdoors’ shares much of its culture with its neighbors, Italy, Austria, France and Germany. 60 percent of country is in engulfed in the alpine region, making it ideal for outdoor exploration.

Look Forward To…

We plan on leaving no rock unturned as we have a go at Canyoning, hiking, biking, paragliding, and hangliding through Interlocken, Gimmewald, Murren and beyond…

]]> http://smutravelbug.com/2009/06/12/part-12-switzerland/feed/ 0 Part 11: Slovenia http://smutravelbug.com/2009/06/12/part-11-slovenia/ http://smutravelbug.com/2009/06/12/part-11-slovenia/#comments Fri, 12 Jun 2009 18:39:08 +0000 SMU Travel Bug http://smutravelbug.com/?p=216 This tranquil and serene escape is one of Eastern Europe’s best kept secrets. Only recently did globe trotters begin to explore this hideaway of less than 2 million inhabitants after it peaceably broke away from Ugilsovia 15 years ago. It’s natural beauty and allure is compared to that of Switzerland’s, and possesses mystic rivers, lakes, mountains, caves, and castles minus the summer tourism buzz.

Look Forward To…

- Snapshots from majestic lake Bled
- Stroll to the thousand-year-old castle perched above the water
- Exploration of the Postojna Caves, the largest underground cave system in Europe.

]]> http://smutravelbug.com/2009/06/12/part-11-slovenia/feed/ 0 Part 10: Croatia http://smutravelbug.com/2009/06/12/part-10-croatia/ http://smutravelbug.com/2009/06/12/part-10-croatia/#comments Fri, 12 Jun 2009 18:38:40 +0000 SMU Travel Bug http://smutravelbug.com/?p=214 Multiple cultural influences have combined and intertwined to create this seaside escape. The Greeks, Romans, Celtics, Illyrians, Austrians, Hungarians, Byzantines and Islamics, all left a piece of themselves here and so will you. An expanse of endless beaches and crystal seas make this former republic of Yugislavia a seaside splendor, yet its charm stretches further with its rugged coastline speckled with romantic hilltop castles and ancient Roman ruins.

Look Forward To…

Our sure to be whirl-wind rent-a-car experience as we plunge our way into the lush region of cosmic culture and pristine beaches.

]]> http://smutravelbug.com/2009/06/12/part-10-croatia/feed/ 0 Part 9: Transit Stage http://smutravelbug.com/2009/06/12/part-9-transit-stage-2/ http://smutravelbug.com/2009/06/12/part-9-transit-stage-2/#comments Fri, 12 Jun 2009 18:37:51 +0000 SMU Travel Bug http://smutravelbug.com/?p=213 http://smutravelbug.com/2009/06/12/part-9-transit-stage-2/feed/ 0 Part 8: Greece http://smutravelbug.com/2009/06/12/part-8-greece/ http://smutravelbug.com/2009/06/12/part-8-greece/#comments Fri, 12 Jun 2009 18:37:36 +0000 SMU Travel Bug http://smutravelbug.com/?p=211 Greece of course, is the hub of ancient ruins and archeological wonders…not to mention the Olympic games and Greek mythology. Athens, the country’s capital since the 5th Century BC has laid the foundations of Western civilization.

Look Forward To…

-Island hopping in the Agean sea to Mykynos and Santorini
-We’ll soak in the sun and sights via boat, bike, on foot, and, true to Greecian custom, on donkey back of course!
-Seafood galore!
-The Acropolis & the Parthenon
-Jogging through the Olympic stadium

]]> http://smutravelbug.com/2009/06/12/part-8-greece/feed/ 0 Part 7: Targus Mures, Romania http://smutravelbug.com/2009/06/12/part-7-targus-mures-romania/ http://smutravelbug.com/2009/06/12/part-7-targus-mures-romania/#comments Fri, 12 Jun 2009 18:36:49 +0000 SMU Travel Bug http://smutravelbug.com/?p=209 Romania (Targus Mures)- ‘Liven Livada Orphanage’ (4 days)

This South-Eastern treasure chest of ancient heritage contains numerous examples of diverse culture and art. The population, predominantly Romanians, with Hungarian, and minorities German and Gypsy, is just about split, with half living in urban areas, and half in rural locations.

However, one can’t ignore the mounting problem of the growing numbers of children placed in orphanages. The staggering numbers are due to substandard population policies there, forbidding birth control and abortion, and require women to have five children. These laws have led to the birth of far more children than can be supported by the country. For our service project we will be spending four days serving in the Livada Orphanage in Targu Mures.

Look Forward To…

-Ludus Baby Hospital
-Fun and games with the Children
-Take kids to the zoo and Museum Astra

(link to website: http://www.livada.org/)

]]> http://smutravelbug.com/2009/06/12/part-7-targus-mures-romania/feed/ 0