Halifax, Nova Scotia

I couldn't of asked for a better place to of completed my year abroad. Big enough so we didn't get bored, but small enough we weren't overwhelmed, Halifax made for the perfect year. The people I met and the memories I made will be with me forever. I couldn't recommend a year abroad (if it is offered to you) enough. It gave me the opportunity to travel and see parts of the world I had never been to before, whilst meeting life long friends. Of course there was a lot of hard work- they really take uni seriously over there, no 'first and second year don't count' anymore. There were tears and pangs of homesickness but there were also laughs, nights I'll never forget (or remember) and lots and lots of snow. My best year of my university experience by a mile.

Thank you for having me Halifax, I had a blast. I'll be sure to be back- without the course work next time. 

Vancouver

Our final leg of the trip was Vancouver. We celebrated my friend Jenny's 21st with a BBQ in the Canadian sunshine and a cycle around Stanley park- definitely the best and quickest way to see the sights. By this point we were running very low on cash, so we tried to keep spending to a minimum- that student living eh? Luckily for us the sun shined the whole time we were there. There are plenty of beaches for sunbathing and an outdoor pool if you fancied a dip. Bar wise- I swear I don't base all my plans around alcohol- Gastown is where to go. Plenty of cool bars to soak in the sunshine and take in the sights of Vancouver. On our final day in Canada, me and Jenny even decided to get a teeny tiny matching tattoo to celebrate the end of our year abroad and the trip of a life time. It is a city that has it all. Mountains, beaches, and the buzz of city life. How could you not love it? 

Then as soon as I knew it, my time in Canada was up. What a year. But plenty more adventures to come.

Next stop: ?

The Rocky Mountains

This stop was probably the highlight of the whole trip for me. Somewhere you see instagram or facebook videos and think 'that place just can't be real'. But trust me it is. We toured the Rockies with Moose Travel. Basically about 9 of you all hop on a minibus together and follow their route, stopping off at all the best sights along the way. I was with 4 other girls I knew from my time studying abroad, and it worked perfectly for us. We hit up everywhere we wanted to go, plus some added bonus sights we would have had no idea about. We kayaked, swam in freezing cold lakes, paddle boarded and climbed waterfalls to name a few- who am I jungle Jane? Hostels are really the way to do it, meeting new people with no phone service in the middle of the mountains and singing songs around a campfire, it really felt like something out of a movie. We even saw wild black bears strolling down the side of the road. Thanks to the girls for being my adventure partners and making it a truly special experience that'll stay with me for life.

Final Stop: Vancouver

Montreal

My stay in Montreal was short but sweet. We got an overnight bus from Toronto for $6, it only takes 6 hours so is a great cheap alternative if you are trying to travel on a budget. As you might expect from the French speaking province of Quebec, Montreal kinda feels like a mini France. With a lot of European influences around the city it's not like any other city I visited while in Canada. To get the best view of the city climb Mont Royal (but don't get lost like us or you'll spend hours wondering where that view point we were promised is). Montreal isn't short of great bars and nightlife, we found a quirky bar hidden up flights and flights of stairs complete with a swing and jazz band and fluorescent pink lights- what more could a girl want really? 

Next stop: The Rocky Mountains

Toronto

I was lucky enough to visit Toronto twice during my year in Canada. On my first trip we hit up the classic tourist spots. We went up the CN Tower, took a day trip to Niagara Falls and strolled the streets of Downtown Toronto hoping to catch a glimpse of Drake or Beibs. Pro Tip: Niagara Falls is a beautiful sight to see but you do not need more than 2 hours here. We got a bus from Toronto for the day which took about 2 hours itself and Niagara itself is not a pretty place, empty and full of casinos it's kind of a ghost town. The Falls themselves are beautiful but it is a bit of a tourist trap.  I would suggest getting the ferry across to Toronto Island for the best shots of the skyline, and the Island itself is full of cute houses to wander around if you get a nice day like we did. Where to stay: on my first trip I was with 8 other girls so we got a good deal on an air bnb in the heart of downtown which was amazing- the bigger the group the cheaper it will work out if you're okay with sharing beds etc. My second trip was after New York to visit and stay with a friend we had made on our course at Dalhousie (shoutout to you Jordan).  We stayed at her family's cottage by the lake, drank ciders and sang a lot of Taylor Swift. It was the perfect way to say goodbye to one of our best friends. Bitter sweet but it's never a goodbye, merely a see you later.

Next Stop: Montreal

New York

From Boston we got the bus (we were brought swiftly back down to reality from that luxury boat ride for 2 in Boston) to New York. It's only 4 hours and it cost us $12 so no complaints- especially not from 2 incredibly broke students. I have some family friends who recently moved to the city who were kind enough to out us up in their incredible apartment for our time in New York- us students have it tough I swear. We caught a Yankees game in the Bronx, strolled down the cobbled lanes of DUMBO, walked the Brooklyn Bridge and took in the sights Manhattan has to offer- not like there is that many or anything. Pro tip: as I mentioned before we were staying with family friends who have become 'locals' across the city. Not that I condone underage drinking- but like seriously America 21?- we were able to go out in the city because we were with our friends. Locals can get away with anything I swear, so befriend as many as you can for a night out you will never forget- or never remember in our case. I had been to New York once before this trip and the city never ceases to amaze me. It is different every time you visit. Constantly growing. Constantly evolving. New York I love you.

Next stop: Toronto. 

Boston

Eek, I've been so M.I.A (sorry!). At the end of my time in Canada I booked a month travelling around the East Coast of America and Canada with some friends I'd met over there. First stop: Boston. Only an hour away from Halifax, Nova Scotia (where I spent my year abroad) it made perfect sense. The flights were cheap and so was the accommodation- praise the lord for air bnb- all we needed for a great few days in this American city. Boston itself was beautiful. We were there in May, so still cold but the sun was shining. Unfortunately I wasn't 21 when I visited- really America?- so no recommendations for bars, but I would definitely suggest walking the freedom trail as a great way to see the whole of the city and explore all the different neighbourhoods. Harvard is also definitely worth the trip. A little bit out of the city centre, but equally as beautiful. Pro tip: if you buy a metro pass for 3 days/ a week the ferry ride from Charlottetown to downtown Boston is included. We went at sunset and basically had the boat to ourselves. Students know how to do luxury on the sly okay. Although my time in Boston was short it was equally sweet. Already planning my return.

Next Stop: New York City baby.