Contributing Writer Lauren graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with degrees in International and Area Studies and Writing, and almost immediately headed to France to teach English. She ended up staying abroad for six months longer than expected, traveling, writing and working throughout Europe and Asia. She joined Rustic in 2018 as the Global Communications Coordinator in Southeast Asia, and has also worked in travel, publishing, and media. She's (usually) based in New York, has been to 32 countries and counting, and has an intense love for Boo the Celebrity Dog. Published Latest 5 Benefits of Traveling Abroad in High School October 25, 2019 · 7 min read Since my first high school program, I have been obsessed with—and grateful for—international travel. I thought I’d share the top 5 benefits of high school study abroad experiences, as a self-identified travel junkie. Read more