A while back, I visited Quito, Ecuador, and was surprised with how many stories were passed around about petty theft in the city. It seemed to be so commonplace, and it was concerning. The topic of theft was the main thing I discussed with people who had been there. Furthermore, several people I knew were actually robbed in Quito. I am happy to report that I traveled … [Read more...] about How to Protect Against Petty Theft in Any Country
About Matt Smith
5 Reasons To Go Abroad Before You’re Ready
Before I went on my first trip abroad, I spent many months (a couple of years, really) pondering where I should go and what I should do. There were so many places I could go: Thailand, Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, Italy, France, and on and on. And, there were so many things I could do: teach English, volunteer, backpack, do a language exchange, live in a home-stay with a … [Read more...] about 5 Reasons To Go Abroad Before You’re Ready
Learn Spanish Fast: Six Strategies for Success in Latin America
So, you are planning to go to Latin America. And you're wondering how much Spanish you need to know, how long it will take to learn it, and whether will it be worth it. I will tell you up front that if you make long-term fluency your goal, it will be worth it. Learning a foreign language to fluency is a great achievement and will broaden your perspectives. There is an … [Read more...] about Learn Spanish Fast: Six Strategies for Success in Latin America
Visiting Colombia: 3 Important Things to Know Before You Go
Ah, visiting Colombia. A place of beautiful mountains. A place of happy people. A place of adventures. A place where you could lose yourself. (...This could be a good thing or a bad thing.) Colombia is a country that has risen on the radar of many travelers because the situation in the country is much different than it was 20 years ago. The armed conflict between the FARC … [Read more...] about Visiting Colombia: 3 Important Things to Know Before You Go
