When I graduated high school, I thought I knew it all. I thought I was ready for the crazy world of college, the adventures that awaited me. Living independently, keeping track of my spending, making new friends... it seemed like the easiest thing in the world. It turned out I was wrong. I decided to take a gap year, a year between 12th grade and freshman year of college. It turns out, THAT was the best decision I ever made.

I left on September 1, 2013 for a nine month adventure in Israel. My year taught me so much, not only about myself but the world around me. I visited four countries (Israel, England, Italy, France), had a semester at an amazing international university, and taught English to young elementary school students. I learned to cook (although not well), how to clean a bathroom, how to camp, and the best way to sleep when it’s 600 degrees. I learned how to use public transportation (and the best ways to hitchhike), how to ask locals for help, and how to speak a different language. I learned what makes a true friend, how to make complicated decision, and I definitely learned when to stop drinking. I learned how to be sick without my mom taking care of me and how to take care of myself. I learned independence is not being alone, it’s being able to ask for help. Finally, I learned how to smile on the worst days, because even on the worst days I was happy.

I couldn’t have ever imagined how much my gap year would help me grow. I have become a different person. I realized then that I was ready for college. I was ready for something that I was not a year before. When I came home on May 26, 2014, it was one of the most difficult days. And when I came to Towson, it was challenging at first. But I was able to make friends, do well in class, and be responsible because of my time abroad. I gained so many experiences, friends, and memories and because of those, I will forever be grateful to my gap year, Nativ 33.