Welcome to Travel Diaries By Jess!
Thanks for taking the time to stop in and I’m so happy you’re here!
Welcome to my blog where I share my tips and tricks from my various adventures as well as style guides and outfit ideas for your travels.
This travel blog focuses on the East Coast, specifically the New England area, as well as major European cities and destinations from when I studied abroad in college.
Learn more about my adventures and who I am below.
Quick links:
My Background:
I’m 21 years old, and a recent college graduate from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. I graduated Fall of 2022 with a BS in Hospitality and Tourism Management, and now currently work as a social media manager for UMass Undergraduate Admissions. I work remotely, and currently live back home in the Boston area. I’ve lived in the Boston area almost my entire life, and look forward to sharing my local insight.
My first big international travel experience was in my first-year of high school when I went on a week-long school trip to Peru with EF Educational Tours. The trip was such an eye opening experience and even inspired me to pursue a Hospitality and Tourism management degree in college.
Bringing my passion for travel to college with me, I was determined to fit in trips here and there while also being a full time student. I was very fortunate to have a number of travel experiences through my education- and encourage students to use the resources they have around them to do the same! I joined clubs that allowed me to go on discounted and even free educational trips, and even studied abroad for a semester in Prague Fall of 2021.
Studying abroad was one of the best, and most difficult things I’ve every done. I visited a total of 12 different countries during my time abroad and a handful of major cities and small towns. I explored 9 out of the 12 countries alone as a first-time solo female traveler. I hope this travel blog will inspire others to take the leap of faith and study abroad, as it truly is a once in a lifetime experience!
When I’m not booking a flight, I’m probably planning my outfits or organizing my closet. I love planning my outfits for various occasions, whether it’s a day in the city, relaxing at the beach or for a night out. I hope to incorporate my passion for fashion and help you plan your next trip from the flight, to things to do, and even what to wear. I believe in affordable and trendy fashion, hence the birth of my own second-hand online Instagram shop @shop.jessh where I resell items from my closet, as well as name brand second hand finds at discounted prices.
Where I Am Today:
While I may not be country hopping every weekend these days, I still enjoy long weekend trips locally and hope to explore more of the beauty we have here in the US. I’ve explored many spots within New England, and along the East Coast, but would love to venture more out west.
A Few Fun Facts About Me:
I was adopted from China as a baby and now live in a small beach town near Boston.
My perfect summer day consists of an afternoon at the beach followed by a stop at my favorite ice cream shop.
I learned to drive on a stick shift/manual car. It took a lot of patience, but I’m glad I learned on a standard as it makes driving an automatic seem like a breeze and now I can drive any type of car.
I used to be a big runner back in High School. I ran cross country in the fall then did indoor and outdoor track winter and spring. While I don’t run nearly as much these days, I completed my first 10 mile race November of 2022.
My birthday is the 4th of July! I like to joke that the fireworks are for me every year and enjoy having my birthday on such a festive and fun holiday.
I’m a big nature girl, whether it’s spending the day at the beach, hiking a mountain, or kayaking on the ocean, I love being outdoors.
I have a bilateral hearing loss which I wear hearing aids for. I used to be really insecure about them back in elementary and middle school, but have since grown out of the insecurity and am happy to chat about my hearing loss with others. I wear them during the day and take them out at night. One benefit to my hearing loss was never having to worry about noise at night in the shared hostel rooms when I travelled around Europe!
I hope you’ll follow along for my travels, and thanks for reading!
