Traveling—some of us love it, others hate it, but the truth is we all need to experience it. Now, I know what some of you are thinking; "I'm a broke college student that doesn't have any money." That shouldn't stop you from experiencing the world that is out there. There are multiple places out there that are just waiting to be discovered, and you're the one that can do just that.
I'm not saying you have to travel halfway around the globe to experience something great, but look out your window and walk down the street. There is so much to be discovered that is right in front of your eyes. If you're from a small town like me, you probably wake up each morning not knowing what to do. You have your summer routine of watching Netflix and maybe brushing your hair, but this isn't how it has to be.
Take a step outside of your comfort zone. Actually brush your hair and get out of your pajamas. Walk down the street and maybe get lost in your imagination of what this place could actually be. You will be surprised at what has been around you this entire time. There is a big, wide world out there waiting to be explored. Grab your maps and travel apps and hit the highways, skyways and rails right this very minute.
Remember the days when you would go on family vacations and would actually be excited for them. The days when you would pile everything you had into your minivan to drive someplace four hours away just to spend two nights there. You look back on it now thinking how naive and petty it all seemed, but it was really setting you up for the greatest adventure of your life. Your family introduced you to the world of traveling and now it is your turn to take off on your own adventure.
You may think that traveling by yourself is the scariest thing you will ever have to do, but in reality it is the most enlightening experience that you will ever take. Solo traveling forces you to make friends and talk to others. It gets you out of your comfort zone and pushes you to take a look at the world around you. You make long lasting friends that want to make a difference in their lives as well.
A fear that I, like so many others, have is not being able to speak the language of a particular people in a certain destination. Newsflash—we have this amazing thing called technology which gives us apps that help teach us a language faster than any semester in college could. Language comes easier to those that our willing to learn the language and when you are immersed in a language every day, you will learn it faster.
Instead of sitting inside your four walls and following the daily routine you have planned out for yourself, grab your friends (or just yourself), get in a car, and just drive. Drive till there is no road left or no more gas in the tank. Get your playlist prepared and go somewhere you have never gone before. You may be surprised at the person you become when you step out from the four walls that have surrounded you for so long.
