Every day seems to be a monotonous schedule of dictation. As college students, we’re constantly drowning and struggling with balancing classes, work, volunteering, and also having a social life. We have numerous commitments, from our 8 a.m. class, to our weekend work schedules all the way down to finding time in between it all to spend with friends and family. Before you know it, you find yourself turning into a robot, striving to juggle commitment after commitment. It may be the same for others, but I surely feel exhausted at the end of the day. There’s a constant battle in determining how to spend the rare spare time I have; should I study? Eat? Sleep? Or binge on social media until I can’t keep my eyes anymore? The struggle is surely real.

However, whenever a break rolls around during Thanksgiving or in December after the semester has ended, I can’t wait to take a break. As much of a workaholic I believe I am, taking some time off from it all and utilising it for myself is one of the greatest feelings ever. Everyone has a different definition of “taking time off”. For some, it may be a day or two before they’re back at work or school, ready to take on the next mission. For others, it may consist of sleeping in for days on end and waking up feeling disoriented or in another world. But in my opinion, no break could be better defined than by travelling. I’ve been travelling since I was in grade school, and my experiences have changed my perceptions and outlooks in various ways.

My origins lie in Pakistan, and even at 21 years of age I can still vividly remember my first trip back home. It was the last week of 4^th grade, and my mother called into the school office, waiting for me to come down with my overfilled backpack and overused school supplies in hand. We were travelling to Pakistan, and it was my first trip back. I was very excited! Because I spent my entire childhood here, I wasn’t aware of the extended number of family members, cousins, aunts and uncles I had. Meeting them all was exciting, and seeing the beauty of this country first-hand was even more exhilarating. The different culture, amazing people, and breathtaking landmarks of this country opened my eyes. I was more aware of my origins, roots and culture, and at a young age, this made me more acceptable of diversity.

Travelling not only opens your eyes but also allows you to be more empathic. It creates a sudden evolvement of self. One minute you’re able to juggle a culture and society that YOU’RE more used to; the next minute, you’re able to socially accept that someone of a different country would have a culture, language and mindset different from yours. You see the world, and how much it actually contains. You are able to bring yourself out of your own little world. The problems and issues you may be going through sometimes seem minute compared to the massive complications others are facing. You suddenly become extremely thankful for whatever you have. Travelling has much more pros than cons. Just come out of your comfort zone and see for yourself.