When I thought up the idea of becoming a "reporter" during my travel study experience, I sensed it would be the most difficult component for this project, but didn't expect it to be the most rewarding. My goal of connecting the experiences of the city to myself and my readers more personally could only be achieved through conversations. Conversations with the people who experience everyday life in the cities I was in for only a matter of days. My "interviews" forced me to get out of my comfort zone in a foreign place - to ask questions about someone and their home...and keep in mind English was their second language! The most difficult part of any conversation with someone new is beginning it. But once I mustered up the courage, I enjoyed every moment of interviewing these wonderfully kind people. After each interview I reflected on how important interacting with locals is to finding common ground. How exciting I always found it! And I hope you do too through these interviews. Whether it's the joy of sharing new knowledge, moving from a small town to a big city, or enjoying sitting on your terrace with the paper, each of these people shared something we can all connect with halfway around the world! 

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*note: When striking up a conversation with a local, be sure to always greet them and ask if they speak English in their native tongue! It never goes unappreciated.