Mellow Del Mundo 

Hi! I'm Victoria, 23 years young, obsessed with travel, meeting new people and getting lost with my camera! I received my undergraduate degree in Government and Economics from Smith College in 2023 and am currently pursuing my masters in International Relations at Johns Hopkins, SAIS. 

My travel bug began in 2017 after completing a three-week summer program in Urubamba, Peru. I helped construct irrigation canals and a secondary school with 15 other students from around the world. It was my first immersion experience in a culture and language other than my own. I fell in love with the people, food, and the simplicity of life at the base of the Andes. 

It wasn't until college that I had the opportunity for international travel again. When the option to study abroad arose, I took the leap. I lived in Córdoba, Spain (during Spring 2022) for four months and stayed through the summer, where I visited five countries, and embarked on my first solo trips to the Canary Islands and Morocco. I met amazing people and visited incredible places. 

As a  full-time student on scholarship, my budget is tight, but that doesn't mean I haven't been able to take advantage of everything a region has to offer. It is my goal to inspire you to book that plane ticket, show you how to travel on a budget and experience a place that alters your perspective on the world or teaches you something about yourself! The purpose of my blog is to help YOU become more cognizant about your travel WHY. What do you know about the country you are going to? How does its history or your country's history affect your ability to be there? What do you want to take away from your experience? Of course, not all travel has to be deeply profound -- maybe you want to lay on a beach, tan and drink cocktails all day --  that's fine! But you can still research how your accommodations, restaurant selections, etc., support the local economy or detract from it. My adventures aim to do this, and my recommendations and itineraries keep sustainability in mind, especially for travel to lower-middle-income countries. All photos are mine unless stated otherwise. 

Thanks for reading, enjoy the adventure, and I hope you write me about yours! 

Peace and Love,

Victoria Mellow