James is a freelance travel writer and journalist based in Cape Town, South Africa. Originally from the UK, James is a longtime contributor to Lonely Planet guidebooks and his articles appear in publications worldwide. He spent a year of his academic course on exchange at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, which gave him an insight into the challenges faced by international students. More recently, he interviewed several foreign students while writing a Lonely Planet mini-guide to his very own alma mater, the University of Glasgow. Having spent over a decade travelling and living abroad, James passionately believes that taking the leap and leaving your home shores makes a priceless contribution to your personal and professional development.