You'll realize how little you actually knew about the world
They say running is a solitary endeavor. It is in our DNA. We run to escape the past, to move forward, and to look forward to something new and exciting. There is nothing wrong with running away. For most cases, running can bring you to better places.
As long as I can remember, I have always loved airports. It is mainly because people come to airports running to and fro to catch flights that will take them on adventures, places they’ve never been to, and to explore the world. With countless visits to different airports, loosing count after number eleven, I found many nuggets of wisdom from this place.
Airports are not only about leaving. They are also about people coming home. They are about reuniting individuals, to their families, their loved ones, because at the end of the day, we all need a place to come home to. So here are 5 reasons why traveling and studying abroad could potentially change your life:
1. Comfort Zone
The denial phase. Letting go of people or traditions can be a difficult thing because you have invested so much time and effort in them. With that being said, going beyond your comfort zone can be a scary thing. But it can also be liberating, or even essential to your own happiness. If you don’t let go, you will continue to be haunted by the "what ifs" of your decision.
2. The Great Unknown
"They say that with knowledge comes power, so it's safe to assume that the inverse is also true-- "With no knowledge comes vulnerability". What we do not know about the places we have never visited or the people we are going to meet can be scary. Not knowing the language, or anybody who shares the same interest with you can be daunting at first. However, that kind of fear is okay, in fact, it is something you need to go through. You will never know that the unknown can propel you to do more. Sometimes fear is okay. It propels us, as human beings with natural curious tendencies to do more, be more, and learn more about the people around us.
3. Discovering Your Passion(s)
As you set foot to a new country, finding new hobbies and activities, you will discover what you never thought you can do and also your limitations. Passion is what sets today’s best adventure apart, but it is not just experiencing it for the fun of it, but it is about sharing it and being able to be a storyteller in the making. For example, you would realize that you are a history junkie after countless museums visits. Or that you are street art aesthetic lover but is not cut out for the adrenaline, thrill-seeking type of activity. You will never know what you can accomplish and find if you don’t conquer the things that you are not meant to do at first.
4. Embrace Change
Learning to live independently. That's first and foremost. Fact of the matter is, self-growth is dependent on change, and change does not come without sacrifice. I believe that the opportunity to continuously grow and improve yourself is worth far more than the fear of letting go the comfort of what you already know. So, embrace the possibilities for change. My mother once told me that we travel not only for the fun of it, but for the new and unknown discoveries to come. Discovering the world and cities your never knew existed will teach you to acquire more knowledge, recognize cultural contexts, construct your own identity, develop values, but most importantly, empathize with the different values.
5. Appreciating Home
Sometimes to chase after your future you might have to stop running, and plant yourself in one place. You will need the confidence to take a stand and fight for what you want, and realize that even after the darkest of nights, the dawn will come. With that in mind, you will find a place where you don’t have to hide, and that place is called home. Sooner or later, you will know that your home is more than just a place where you grew up or spent most of your time, and learn to appreciate the act of missing it. That is because you would never realize how much something truly means to you until you actually lose sight of it.
