culture – The Mindful Mermaid

How Travel Bloggers Can Make a Positive Impact

August 13, 2017August 13, 2017Alex Cote

There has to be more to travel blogging than competing for the most drool-worthy Instragram shots in exotic destinations, am I right?

I’d like to think so. But as the industry becomes more saturated (and competitive), it’s easy to loose sight of how our work ties into a narrative much larger than us.

You see, us travel bloggers have the opportunity to be role models in a $7 trillion industry. We have the ability to help foster cross-cultural communication, breaking down barriers in the process.

It’s undeniable that we not only have a responsibility to our followers; we also have a responsibility to every community and culture we pass through.

Here’s how us travel bloggers can use our influence for good: Read more →

10 Irish Phrases that Confuse Americans

April 1, 2017April 3, 2017Alex Cote

Yee Irish lads have some grand slang. From cheers, meaning “thank you”, to the use of the word “brilliant”, Irish vocabulary is similar to British in many ways. Yet some common Irish phrases will have all foreigners, especially Americans, saying, “What the hell did you just say?”

To help you avoid embarrassment or confusion, or just for a good laugh, I’ve broken down the basics of Irish slang.

Here are ten Irish phrases that confuse Americans:
Read more →

The Reverse Culture Shock After Leaving Croatia

January 4, 2017January 4, 2017Alex Cote

Here is a piece I wrote for Croatia Week Magazine. Within only a short few days the piece was picked up, translated, and shared across across several major Croatian news sites, gaining both positive and some negative feedback. What do you think?

“I never realized how much living in Croatia changed me until I left. I lived in Croatia for about a year in total, first studying abroad in Dubrovnik, and then coming back to stay with my Croatian boyfriend.

But it seems every time I leave, I take a bigger part of Croatia with me, which has led to a collision between American and Croatian culture. To say that I’ve experienced reverse culture shock would be an understatement. Read more →