Erika W. Smith

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Location
Chicago, Illinois
School
Boston University
Expertise
Solo travel, Arts and culture, European destinations
  • Erika has lived in Michigan, Boston, New York City, and Chicago, seeking out the best bookstores and record stores in every place she's lived.
  • As a travel writer, she has visited countries including Egypt, Kenya, Italy, Spain, Iceland, Jamaica, and St. Lucia.
  • As a child, she lived in the United Kingdom for a few years.

Experience

Erika studied journalism in college and had some of her early pieces published by Boston.com, as well as student publications. Upon graduation, she interned at BUST magazine, kicking off a career in women's lifestyle media. After holding staff positions at BUST, Refinery29, and Cosmopolitan, she went freelance with pieces published in Vogue, PopSugar, and Consequence. In 2025, she joined Static Media as a travel writer for Islands, covering everything from the best food spots in big cities to charming small towns everyone should add to their bucket lists. Along with journalism, she has published a book, "Astrosex: How to Have the Best Sex According to Your Star Sign."

Education

Erika double-majored in magazine journalism and English literature, earning bachlor's degrees from Boston University. She spent a semester studying abroad in London.

Islands Editorial Policies

Islands content is created by a team of veteran writers and editors passionate about travel. Outside experts with deep field knowledge sometimes inform our work with additional context and perspectives by way of exclusive commentary. Our goal is to offer readers well-rounded and diverse articles that inform, entertain, and inspire.

Our editors consistently review and update articles to ensure they're providing current, relevant, and useful information. Complete information on our editorial process is available here.

Stories By Erika W. Smith

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