Alyssa's Graduation Trip!

Alyssa Flaherty Start Date: Nov 25, 2019 - End Date: Aug 24, 2020
  • Iceland
  • Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • Dublin, Ireland

My Travel Story

by: Alyssa Flaherty Start Date: Nov 25, 2019 - End Date: Aug 24, 2020
Hello and welcome!

You are probably visiting this page because you're awesome and you think I'm awesome too. I am currently gearing up to finish a 3-year graduate program where I will be receiving my Masters of Education in School Counseling this upcoming June from Seattle Pacific University, yay! And I know you've probably heard this a time or two, but grad school is HARD. Like, really forking hard. And trying to afford living in Seattle is also hard. So the past three years have been a lot of me trying to juggle multiple jobs, homework and internships all at the same time. And now I have grey hair and weird saggy lumps under my eyes. 

But because I've been working my butt off for so long, I would really like to celebrate that hard work by traveling abroad. I tried to do that after I graduated with my Bachelor's in 2012 in Australia, and even though the trip didn't go as originally planned, it helped me start a new chapter in my life and experience a culture other than my own. This time around I want to take 2-3 weeks and see 2-3 wonderful destinations that I have been dreaming about since I was a little girl: Iceland, Amsterdam, and Ireland. In fact, weeks before I had even applied to SPU's program, my friends and I were starting to plan this exact trip! It was very bittersweet to put the trip on hold in order to further my education, but now I want to make this dream a reality. That's where you come in.

Other than when I was a little kid, receiving gifts from people is not my primary love language. I've always been about the experiences and the people I share them with. Don't give me a sweater you found at the department store, let's go to a concert or on a roadtrip instead. For the holidays and my birthday this year, I would love for you to consider donating towards my dream trip abroad. Whatever amount you can give would mean the world to me, and it will feel like you are there with me from that support. I plan to post as many details and updates as possible so you can know that your money is going to a good place, and not to an overrpriced tourist trap. Thank you and I love you!
  • Iceland
  • Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • Dublin, Ireland

Updates

3

  • February Has Flown By....(get It?)

    February Has Flown By....(get it?)
    While January felt like it lasted 10 years, February felt like it lasted 10 minutes! Apologies for the late post, this month was filled with so much homework it felt like it was coming out of my ears. In fact, there were even points where I asked myself "why am I even doing this?!" because it felt like the end was nowhere in sight and my mental health was being seriously compromised. Luckily, things are still paying off, and as of yesterday I learned that the huuuuuge 4-hour final exam I took for my entire program...I passed! Such a big relief, and now that it's behind me I feel like I get to be excited about the future again. Speaking of future...
    I've dabbled in many different things for my summer travels here and there this month, whenever I've needed a distraction from homework. I've looked at gf-friendly places to eat, things to see and places to stay, and even what I should be bringing with me in my bag. I officially purchased 2 power adapters for my electronics (I'm only slightly annoyed that I had to get different ones for both Iceland and Ireland, insert eye roll emoji here), and I currently have saved in my cart a Buff (in case it gets cold) and packing cubes for my luggage. I can't decided whether I want to bring my daybag and carry-on luggage with me or just throw everything into my backpacking bag.
    Here's where I need some help from the peanut gallery, I have some pressing questions to decide on and I need your help!
    1. Do I bring my daybag and carryon or just throw everything into my backpacking bag for travel? (Backpacking bag probably won't fit carryon)
    2. Do I rent a car in Iceland? It's expensive but they drive on the right side of the road.
    3. Do I rent a car in Ireland? It's been recommended to me a lot but they drive on the LEFT side of the road and many of the roads are windy and tiny AF.
    4. How do you predict this coronavirus scare will affect my travels?

    Thanks for reading and as always, consider helping a lady out and donating to my travel campaign ;)
    -Alyssa
    ?>

  • I Booked My Flights!!

    I booked my flights!!
    Today I finally pushed the big confirmation button...and my plane tickets have been purchased! Family showed me some serious love over the holidays and I was able to get this first big obstacle taken care of. Thanks, fam! And a huge shoutout to Jessie, Katie O and Stephanie for your donations as well, I'm just so damn grateful for family, both by blood and by choice.

    A slight change of plans however...I have downsized my destinations from 3 to 2. No matter how I tried to maneuver arrival dates and when I'd go where, I kept ending up in Amsterdam around midnight, which gave me the heebie jeebies. So, sadly, Amsterdam is going to have to wait for another exciting international adventure. But now I get to spend entire weeks in both Iceland and Ireland!

    Upsides to this switch in itinerary: my ticket was cheaper, I leave and arrive at pretty reasonable hours, and I'll have more time to explore each destination and won't feel as rushed to get as many things in. It's really a win-win.

    I head out August 10th for Iceland, the 17th for Ireland, and back to Seattle on the 24th. The only thing I'm certain of so far...I fly into Keflavik a little after 6am, so on my way to Reykjavik I'll get to experience the Blue Lagoon first thing in the morning! I'm leaning towards renting a car in both places, but Ireland will mean I'd have to get comfortable driving on the left side of the road...yikes!

    I've been encouraged to not plan too much too far ahead, but I would love to hear any thoughts or ideas y'all might have to keep in mind for my adventure. What did you love, and what do you wish you would have avoided?

    Also, I've been listening to the podcast "All Things Iceland" created by an American who fell in love with an Icelander and now lives there full time! She goes over history, holidays, culture, how to not be an asshole when you travel there, etc. It has been AWESOME. However, I haven't been able to find an equivalent for Ireland...let me know if you have any suggestions.

    Last but not least, I'm still looking for some financial help in this adventure. As graduation approaches, I'm having to get more shifts covered at the restaurant in order to attend networking events and job fairs in addition to my internship, so money is as tight as ever. It's funny that the closer I get to working a job with a full time salary, the more that I have to work for free...

    Are you participating in dry January? Send me what you'd be spending on an after-work bevvie. Trying to cut back on Starbucks? That latte money can add up and go towards a night of lodging for me. You've traveled abroad before, learned a lot about life and love, and hope that more people can experience that kind of growth and adventure? Help this goofball share in that experience as well.

    Thanks, babes <3
    ?>

Adventure Registry

  • Iceland Game of Thrones Tour!

    114

  • Dublin Game of Thrones Tour!

    75

  • Day trip to Galway, Cliffs of Moher, and Burren

    65

  • Iceland's Blue Lagoon

    85