Interviewing, like so many things, takes practice.

As a sophomore reporter for the Brookline High School Sagamore, I convinced our superintendent to let me interview him about his snow day decisions. After racing home from school and throwing on a blue collared shirt, I grabbed a notebook and headed for Town Hall.

I’d learned in journalism class how important first impressions are. And anxious to say the right words when I met the man himself, I penciled down in my notebook: “Dr. Lupini? Hi, I’m Adam Sege begin_of_the_skype_highlighting     end_of_the_skype_highlighting.”

The interview went bumpily, and I winced later listening to my recording of it. But that’s what experience is all about. I’ve filled countless notebooks and the better part of three audio recorders with interviews since then, and I’m proud to say I haven’t had to write down any other opening lines.

Interviewing teaches you a lot about asking questions and listening, but I have a lot less experience on this side of the table, talking (or writing) about myself. Like a lot of what’s ahead this year, blogging is new for me, but I’m excited to give it a shot.

For starters, you should know I’m from Brookline, Massachusetts and I’m double majoring in journalism and urban studies. I have two hilarious (sometimes even intentionally) parents and two younger siblings I’m going to miss terribly while I’m abroad. I’ve run a half marathon and I’m the messiest eater you may or may not have ever met.

I hope to use this blog to explore some of my own questions about the city, country and continent I’m throwing myself into in two weeks. In the process I hope to answer a couple of yours too, but even more than that I hope you’ll let me know what other questions you have. There’s room for comments on this site for a reason.

Like interviewing, blogging takes practice, and I’m planning on doing a lot of that over the next five months. Thanks for reading, and hope to see you here again soon. Seventeen days ’till Buenos Aires.