Earlier today, Instagram went down. While I use Instagram just like the next person (to avoid work and procrastinate), I also envision it as a scrapbook for my travels. In fact, I didn’t even have an Instagram account until my study abroad program. I started one then as a way to memorialize the adventures I had.

This morning when the app wasn’t working, it occurred to me, “What would happen if the bug was never fixed? Or if it became obsolete entirely? What would happen to those memories?”

So, in an effort to preserve my digital travel footprint elsewhere, I’ll be sharing 12 of my favorite photos from study abroad (some of which never even made it to my Instagram). But hey, that doesn’t make them any less great.

My friend, Catherine, and me crossing Abbey Road (Winter 2018)

Me standing in front of Victoria Street in Edinburgh (January 2018)

My roommate, Allie, and me getting on a train from Geneva to Interlaken (February 2018)

Me skydiving in the Swiss Alps (February 2018)

Me on a Sound of Music tour in Salzburg (February 2018)

Me celebrating St. Patrick’s Day 2018 in Dublin (March 2018)

Me eating pizza at my favorite pizza spot in Naples (March 2018)

Me tossing a coin in the Trevi Fountain in Rome (April 2018)

Me snuggling a pup on a beach outside of Lisbon (April 2018)

My best friend, Caroline, and me after finishing a hot air balloon ride in Morocco (May 2018)

A shot of my Tombs hat while seeing the sites in Marrakesh (May 2018)

Me having a drink at La Mamounia, a 5-star hotel in Marrakesh (May 2018)

Final Thoughts

Those are just some of my treasured photos from my first time really traveling abroad. Fingers crossed I’ll always be able to look back on those times whether it’s on here, Instagram, or in my photo album at home.