I've been so fortunate to travel many different places in my 20 years, and I've learned a lot throughout the way. I have seen so many amazing places and have had so many once-in-a-lifetime experiences that I thought I would write some of them down here.
1. Queenstown, New Zealand
Halfway through the hike
Madelyn Neal
I learned physical resilience after I climbed to the saddle of Ben Lomond. I experienced the feeling of sheer determination when I tried to climb to the mountain's summit, despite a random blizzard. And while we had to turn back, I could still be proud of the progress I did make as someone who isn't exactly the most fit.
2. St. Moritz, Switzerland
Beautiful Switzerland
Madelyn Neal
Adventure is what you make it. Being in the mountain town of St. Moritz really taught me that taking your own initiative is really important. Every morning, we woke up and spontaneously decided which mountain to visit or where to go. And not being completely dedicated to a set plan was such a cool way to spend my week there.
3. St. Johns, U.S.V.I.
I'm definitely a water bug!
Madelyn Neal
I've seen many beautiful places, but spending time at so many hidden beaches reinforced how much I love the water, and getting to swim alongside sea turtles and stingrays was a great reminder of how fun it can be to interact with the natural world. Low tech, but incredibly meaningful.
4. Big Sky, Montana
Hiking in Big Sky
Madelyn Neal
Even though Montana is still definitely a hop, skip and a jump from my native Indiana, my time there taught me that you don't have to cross oceans to find the natural beauty of the world. It was great to come back home and look at my surroundings with new eyes.
5. Strasbourg, France
One of my lifelong friends!
Madelyn Neal
Through a school exchange trip, I learned the truth about friendship. True friendship and caring have been proven to me across an ocean, from the distance of Indiana to France, and that has meant the world to me.
6. Barcelona, Spain
Golden lady!
Madelyn Neal
Though it may seem minor, I learned that I am good at exploring and not panicking under pressure. Though my Spanish isn't at a fluent level, my family relied on me to navigate the Spanish subway system. And, while it would have been easy to break down and panic that I didn't know where I was going, I managed to keep my cool and get us where we needed to go.
7. Rome, Italy
The Colosseum
Madelyn Neal
This may be a no-brainer, but Rome showed me that history isn't meant to be read in a textbook. I'll never forget the moment when I turned the corner of a modern city street only to discover ancient ruins looming just a few feet away.
8. London, England
Afternoon tea at the British Museum
Madelyn Neal
London was a special vacation for me because it validated my lifelong passion. To step into a world of literature by visiting Stratford-upon-Avon, the Jane Austen Centre, etc. proved to me even more that I am doing what I meant to be doing.
9. Paris, France
The Eiffel Tower (of course)!
Madelyn Neal
Spending time in France has taught me a lot about national pride. I have never visited a place that is so bursting with love for its country, its people and its culture. For me, this has translated on a more local level; I'm so proud of where I come from, be it my parents' homes or my university, and I wouldn't change them for the world.
10. Pompeii, Italy
Mt. Vesuvius overlooking the Pompeii ruins
Madelyn Neal
Similarly to my week in Rome, Pompeii showed me that history leaves its mark, and as in the literal case of Mt. Vesuvius, it is bound to repeat itself. So in the spirit of carpe diem, I learned to remember that my actions will have impacts and not to repeat the same mistakes as is our tendency to do as humans.
But the biggest thing I've learned through diving into different cultures and traditions is that there is a lot more that unites us all than that separates us, and I think we really need to remember that. Once we take on the perspective of global citizen instead of a tourist, that changes everything.
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