I’m Stacy. I write, I travel, I drink copious amounts of coffee, and I write some more. Here you will find in-depth guides and tips for your own person travel adventures. If you have questions, or want to say hi, please feel free to reach out at anytime!
Hi. Hello. Bonjour. Ciao. Nǐ hǎo
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My name is Stacy. I love all things travel and writing. I was born and raised in Minnesota, and I am now currently making my way around the globe.
My stories and articles have been featured in various newspapers, magazine and travel websites in the USA, Hong Kong, China, Vietnam and Australia. My work can be found in the Star Tribune, The Nanjinger, China Highlights, Sun Sailor and more.
In my free time I enjoy writing, reading books, painting, traveling and sipping coffee. Currently I am pursuing my M.A. in English & Creative Writing at Southern New Hampshire and will be finished with this program in July 2026.
Previous Stop: Seattle, Washington
Next Stop: New York
If you’re interested in working with me I can be reached at stacytdahl@gmail.com
Rome Pilgrimage (2014)
Growing up my family never had enough money to travel. The farthest we ever traveled was to Florida (by car) when I was 8-years-old. Later in life while I attended University, I was offered a spot on Campus Ministry’s 10-day Rome Pilgrimage Trip during my second year. I accepted the opportunity even though I knew I’d have yet to raise the full amount required for the trip. For the next several months I worked two part-time jobs while also being a full-time college student in order to afford this trip.
When the Rome Pilgrimage finally took place in March of 2014, it was a very surreal experience. Not only was it my first time travelling abroad but it was also my first time ever on an airplane. For the next 10 days with a large group of 30 people, we explored Vatican City, The Colosseum, and ate copious amounts of authentic Italian pasta and Gelato. The group also went on brief day trips to Florence, Assisi and Siena.
This trip was pivotal and opened the doors for me as to what the rest of the world looked like outside of my carefully sheltered Minnesota bubble.
Volunteering in Jamaica (2016-2017)
In 2016 after graduating from university, I decided to give into my relentless travel bug and move to Jamaica for a 1-year volunteer position. During this time I volunteered in the parish of Manchester in various places serving the communities. The places I served at include a pre-school, nursing home, infirmary, local clinic, as well as helped as a middle school tutor once a week.
Although this first long distance experience far from home was challenging, it was far more rewarding seeing the impact that I made in the communities. This year-long experience further intensified my desire to travel and see the world, specifically on my own. This led me to my next stop for the following three years, China.
Teaching ESL in China (2017-2020)
China will always hold a special place in my heart as the place where I spread my wings and really came into my own. My first year in China was spent in Nanjing 南京 the capital of the South with an intense history and immensely beautiful views. With this first teaching experience I taught with Disney English as an ESL Teacher working with children between the ages of 3 to 12-years old. The classrooms were English immersive meaning the students were only allowed to speak English.
The following two years I lived in Changzhou 常州, a lesser developed but equally beautiful city. This time around I taught English at Changzhou University helping students between the ages of 18 to 22 years old improve their Business English skills and prepare for the IELTS test.
Relevant Articles:
- How to Prepare for your First Week of classes at a Chinese University
- 7 Fun Speaking Activities for the Chinese University Classroom
Backpacking across Europe (Jan. 2020)
In 2020, I embarked on a one-month long solo trip across Europe during my winter break as a University Teacher in China. During this trip, I made my way across England, France, The Netherlands, Germany, Czech Republic, Austria and Belgium.
This trip is what I deem a remarkable and unforgettable one. I met so many friends along the way, tried delicious foods and saw incredible sights that you really only can find in Europe. The culture and architecture of Europe is truly one-of-a-kind and it was a blessing to have experienced these seven countries.
