About

Hi, I’m Kristen… also known as The Continent Hopper.

I’m originally from eastern Pennsylvania, and grew up in a family that appreciates experiences over material things.  My parents placed a high importance on traveling and seeing new places… creating memories together while doing so.

In high school, I had an opportunity to go to Australia with the People to People Student Ambassador program.  I spent three weeks traveling the eastern coast from Sydney to Cairnes with forty other American students.  This experience sparked my desire to travel and see more of the world, which inspired my study abroad experience in college.

The spring semester of my junior year, I spent four months living and going to school in Rome, Italy… a life changing experience that really helped me grow as a person and gain an appreciation for foreign culture.  I used these four months to really get to know Rome, but also as a springboard to explore more of Italy and Europe.  I added plenty of stamps to my passport, visiting destinations including Prague, Nice, London, Munich, Interlaken and Spain.

In May 2004, I graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in broadcast journalism and spent six years working as a sports reporter for a local TV station in my hometown.  I’ve always had a “work hard, play hard” mentality, so while I was focused on my career, I also made sure I took time off to travel.  I went back to Europe several times, including a 23-day backpacking excursion with my younger sister, visiting eight different countries and covering a total of 5,446 kilometers.  I now work in sales, which has afforded me more opportunities to pursue my passion… seeing every corner of our world!

I have a goal of visiting all seven continents and am challenging myself to visit as many countries as possible.  I feel strongly that traveling overseas and experiencing different cultures gives us a better appreciation and understanding for others.  My travels and interactions with people have definitely helped shape me into the person I am today and I hope will continue to shape me as I further explore our world.

I took my first solo trip in December 2015… a bucket list experience that I was scared to pull the trigger on, but am so glad I did because it turned out to be a very rewarding experience.  I spent twelve days traveling alone around the North and South Islands of New Zealand, which forced me outside my comfort zone and taught me a lot about myself.  I was very impressed to realize how capable I am on my own, outside of familiar surroundings.

My favorite quote from Miriam Beard says it all, “Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.