School
Arizona State University
Expertise
Digital Nomad Lifestyle, Arts & Culture, Natural Hidden Gems
- Originally from Phoenix, Shannon moved to Spain in 2021 after graduation, allowing her to explore European settings and ways of life.
- She considers a solo trip to be a self-defining pilgrimage, although she discovers more about herself while traveling with others.
- Her iCloud storage is constantly filled with images of coastal overlooks, furry creatures, and intimate cultural snapshots.
Experience
Shannon joined Static Media in 2022, where she worked as an editor for the Google Stories team for brands like Islands, Explore, Tasting Table, and Daily Meal. Certified as a TEFL teacher, she taught English in Spain while living in Madrid for two years. She developed a fascination with how cultural landscapes affect language and the use of English globally while traversing the world. While she has experience writing dance criticism and artistic grants, Shannon turned her interests to travel writing, lightheartedly creating a digital journal for her personal experiences and ever-changing philosophies. She plans to get certified in yoga and scuba diving in Southeast Asia.
Education
Shannon has a bachelor's degree in English and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance, with a minor concentration in Spanish from Arizona State University. She is currently working on a master's in English Linguistics: New Applications and International Communication at the Universidad Complutense in Madrid.
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.
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The city is well-known for its multicultural influences, lively events, unique local dishes and cuisine, and famously eclectic architecture.
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It is a great way for lovers of camping and the outdoors to make the absolute best of some of America's coolest and most scenic cycling routes.
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Travel Gear
By Shannon Smith
It's always nice when the best quality comes at the best price, and this one is especially good for parents on the move with the young ones.
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On the Caribbean side of Puerto Rico you'll find a serene reservoir lake surrounded by a lush tropical forest, an ideal destination for fishing and hiking.
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These towns are easy to get to from the big cities, and have a panache all their own, with mountain scenery, luxury resorts, and wellness retreats.
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