So far in my lifetime, I have traveled to Costa Rica, France, and England. I have loved each country for different reasons, but after each travel experience there is a large handful of things I have learned. I have grown very fond of traveling, especially out of the country because you get a chance to see the world. I have definitely caught the travel bug and I can't wait to travel again because of the 10 reasons below:

1) You get exposed to new culture

About a month ago, I got the chance to travel to London, Paris, and Normandy. While I was in France and England, I realized how different it is overseas compared to the United States. For example, it is normal for business owners to work a few hours in the morning and then go home for lunchtime to spend time with their families, and then they will return after lunch to continue We tend spend our entire day working while not getting an opportunity to spend time with family. In the States, we are so rushed and money oriented when we could focus on other things of importance like family.

2) You get to meet new people

In August of 2015, I traveled to Costa Rica with my college volleyball team. While we were there, we played a variety of teams that ranged from local club players to national teams. We got a chance to meet the girls after each match to get to know them better. I made good friends with two girls who are sisters and I am still friends with them on social media to this day.

3) The architecture is amazing!

In the United States, we have a very modernized and technology based way of life. There are not many old buildings that still remain and if there are, there is a chance they have been updated. In France, many of the ancient and royal castles and cathedrals still remain and they are major tourist attractions because they are so unique looking and incredibly beautiful. Even in the city of Paris, it’s full of history and each building has intricate detail.

4) You become more educated

While I was out of the country, I learned about a lot of history. Sure I have had history classes and read books about historical events, but it’s completely different when you’re standing in the Tower of London and learning about William the Conqueror or Queen Elizabeth I. I also got to visit the D-Day beaches in Normandy and stood on the shore of Omaha Beach where US soldiers conquered German soldiers to liberate Europe during World War II. It’s like you’re living through history and not reading about it in a book-you actually gain a sense of feeling apart of it.

5) You become more independent

Being thousands of miles away from home, you do have to learn how to be independent. You don’t have anyone there who is telling you what you should do except for yourself. I was infatuated with the idea of being in another country and seeing things that I’ve only ever seen in pictures that I didn’t even think about home. Don’t get me wrong, I love home, but there’s nothing like getting the chance to explore and being part of something like nothing you’ve ever had before.

6) You take a step “outside the box”

Until leaving the country for my very first time in 2015, I was so sheltered and stuck in the norm of my daily life. I got a chance to step out of my comfort zone and explore what else is out there. Until you venture out by yourself, you only know what people tell you or what you see online. When you come back from your trip outside of the country, you will also feel more comfortable doing things on your own when you come back home.

7) Food!!!!

Do I really need to say more? I will admit that we have a lot of yummy food in America, but there’s nothing like a delicious crepe from France or fresh fruit from Costa Rica. Even though the portion sizes aren’t what we’re used to, you’ll still find personal satisfaction with eating something different. You’ll also have a chance to try a lot of new food. Even if you think you won’t like it, you never know until you try and I encourage everyone to try new food! If you learn that you don’t like food from overseas, you’ll come to appreciate the food and portion sizes we have in America.

8) You’ll have a lot of stories to tell

Who doesn’t love a good story to tell or listen to? You won’t find many people who have shared the same experiences with you so when you come back from the trip, you will find people who will want to hear all about it. You might also find someone who has gone to the same place as you and you can talk about it together; you may even make a new friend if it’s someone you have never talked to a lot.

9) You can learn a new language

I took a total of 5 years of Spanish so I was able to apply the Spanish I knew when I went to Costa Rica, which was really enjoyable because there wasn’t much of a language barrier. I am not fluent in Spanish, but there were some people who spoke some English as well in Costa Rica so it was easy to communicate. When I went to France, it was a completely different story. I have never taken a French class so it was a lot harder to communicate. In Paris, many people can speak fluent English but once you leave Paris, the majority of it was French so it was cool to hear the French language and learn some of it. I can’t say I learned a new language in England because they speak English, but it was fun to try speaking in an English accent (Don't try doing this because locals can tell that it is fake).

10) You may find your new desired place to live

Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy living in the United States, but I would absolutely love to relocate and try something new in the future. I fell in love with both Paris and London because they are beautiful cities. Despite the fact that it’s more expensive to live there, it’s still something I would like to do even just for a year or two.