Traveler Interview: Rachel Foxwell
Small-town Iowa born and raised, Rachel Foxwell never thought she would travel much outside of the Midwest, let alone outside of the country. Rachel is a junior at Iowa State University studying Hospitality Management. As a student at Iowa State University, she says her love of travel stems mostly from the diverse people in her classes and the curricular focus on global tourism.
Rachel recently studied abroad for six weeks in Rome, Italy for her first taste of international travel. During her time abroad, she had opportunities to experience most major cities in Italy as well as take a trip to Ireland.
Rachel is an active member of Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority at Iowa State and is involved in various organizations on campus. In the future, she plans on working in the travel or lodging industry and then enroll in graduate school to become a professor of business. Rachel is completing a social media internship with VentureTime Travel. Visit her Rachel’s Realities blog to learn more about her travel adventures or read her tips on 10 Fun (and Cheap) Things to Do in Ames, Iowa.
We wanted to learn more about Rachel’s insights on travel.
At the Vatican: “Iowa State is an excellent school, but nothing compares to being on-site at some of the biggest historical sites in the world!”
The Jones: What inspires you to travel?
Rachel: I’m inspired to travel by my friends and family who are avid travelers and share their experiences with me. Honestly, if it weren’t for the other small-town Iowans I know who travel, I would not think it would have been a possibility for me. Their stories and photos from times abroad were unreal.
Have you always enjoyed travel? What contributed to your love of travel?
Rachel: I always enjoyed traveling, but I never had many opportunities to do so when I was young. Books were the main contribution to my love of travel. There are so many places in the world and each one offers something beautiful. When I was younger, traveling was more about spending time with my family. Now as I grow older and travel independently, travel is about learning about other cultures and about myself as an individual.
Rachel at the The Tempietto di Diana, part of the Villa Borghese gardens in Rome.
You completed a travel study experience in Europe past summer. How was travel study different from regular classes at your University campus?
Rachel: My studies abroad in Italy were drastically different from my classes at Iowa State. Since I was there for such a short period of time, I only took one class. I was given a wide array of class options, but since I was in Rome, I decided to take a history class. My professor, a Roman archaeologist, took us to all of the major sites in the city center and described them on-site. My favorite day of class was when she took us to an excavation she was working on at Palatine Hill, where she just discovered mosaic floors from thousands of years ago. I was awestruck with the thought that everything I was seeing in Rome was older than America itself. Iowa State is an excellent school, but nothing compares to being on-site at some of the biggest historical sites in the world!
What is your favorite destination? Why?
Rachel: I love the mountains and wilderness, so I would have to say Estes Park, Colorado and the Rocky Mountain National Park. The atmosphere is so inspiring and fresh. And nothing feels more satisfying than climbing 14,000 foot mountains! Not to mention the incredible views!
Rachel exploring the Rocky Mountains with her family.
What destination has surprised you the most, either good or bad?
Rachel: A couple of years ago, my family decided to take a vacation close-to-home so we ventured up to the Sturgeon Bay area of Wisconsin. My hometown is right by Wisconsin so I was not excited at all to be vacationing someplace so close. I was pleasantly surprised at how much Wisconsin had to offer with the Great Lakes, museums, shopping, and many other attractions. Even though I was born and raised in the Midwest, it is full of surprises!
Why do you consider travel important?
Rachel: Travel is vital for anyone looking to put their knowledge, education, or skills to use. The worldly perspective gained from travel is incomparable to any other experience. As a college student, I am not able to spend as much time traveling as I would like, but the amount I have learned while traveling for any length of time has far exceeded everything I have learned from years in the classroom.
From your travels, do you have a practice or insight that makes your travel experiences more enjoyable?
Rachel: I have learned to pack less than I think I need. It is too much of a hassle to keep repacking an already full bag, and it is less stressful with fewer material things. And it is lighter to carry, which is always important while sight-seeing. I also learned to write down everything. Journaling keeps the memories vivid and allows for me to relive some of the best experiences of my life!
Did you travel as a student? How did the experience impact your life? Please share your thoughts in comments.
Read More Traveler Interviews:
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- “What traveler wouldn’t want to come to Homer?” A Travel Chat with an Alaskan Insider.
- “When I travel, my camera is with me all day.” A Travel Chat with an Art Photographer.