I have been to six countries, and will soon be going back abroad to add onto that number. In saying that, I have never had better memories or better friends made than by traveling the world.

I think that it’s such a stereotypical thing to say that you want to travel the world, because let’s be real, who doesn’t? However, many people never leave the country. I am lucky enough to have amazing family and friends who have supported me over the years in my adventures.

While traveling all through Europe, I saw the most beautiful things, ate the weirdest looking food, and met the most interesting people. Here are four reasons why you should travel the world.

1. Culture. Being able to see the different architecture in the different countries was so neat. Everything was so old and beautiful. I think that in America we like for everything to be brand new and shiny so we forget how beautiful antiques can be.

2. Languages. I was able to learn the “Romance Languages.” Now, don’t get me wrong, I don’t remember most of the words I spoke abroad, but at the time, it was so awesome to be able to speak four languages in the same month. We don’t think of it often, but all Romantic languages are based off the same beginning language. So, when going from Spanish to French to Italian, I realized how extremely similar they all are. So alike, yet so complex at the same time.

3. Food. I ate some things I never thought I would eat, and some I wish I never had. While in Spain I had a traditional Spanish dish called Paella, and, needless to say, I fell in love. In France I had escargot, which I never imagined eating. It was the smallest, most expensive piece of meat I have ever eaten in my life; I was extremely surprised when I immediately reached for another piece. Of course, when in Italy, you have to try the pasta. Anyone who knows me, knows that pasta is my favorite food in the whole world. I was in Florence, Italy when they brought out two dishes. One was just normal Alfredo sauce and noodles, and the other was solid black noodles. Not gonna lie, I was a little concerned what I was about to consume. Turns out that it was squid ink on top of the noodles. I tried it, and I never will again. Let’s just say I’m going to stick to my typical Alfredo.

4. Friends. While spending all summer traveling western Europe, I met my best friend. We didn’t know it when we were loading the plane together that we would become lifelong friends, but we did. We walked the streets of Barcelona singing The Cheetah Girls and Rome singing Lizzie Mcguire. Little did we know that the night we stayed up way too late, talking about the French boy we saw at the grocery store, would be a memory that we will never forget. To this day, even though we are six hours away, in different colleges, she is the one I call if I’m having boy trouble or just need someone to talk to.

In saying all of this, I hope you travel the world. I hope you not only find great friends, but I hope you find yourself in the journey. I hope you go to far away places that everyone dreams about going to, and come back to tell your amazing memories. Don’t let distance scare you away from an adventure.

“Traveling leaves you speechless, and turns you into a storyteller.”

-Unknown