I have been given the opportunity to travel to six countries, and I first and foremost want to thank my three parents for letting me travel abroad so I could have an enriching, learning experience.

I began traveling when I was fifteen years old; I was a sophomore in high school, and I traveled with about fifteen other classmates and faculty. The first country I went to was Italy, and that one week trip has changed my life ever since. I not only learned about my own heritage, but I learned about the Italian’s lifestyle, religion, culture, and familial values. Traveling and learning about Italy not only was a life-changing experience, but it opened up my mind about the world we all live in.

Upon returning my trip from Italy, I felt that the excursion was a tease. I had this deep desire to travel more, learn more, and experience more. I eventually talked with my parents about going on another trip the following year, and they agreed. The fact that I was going to be visiting Germany, Switzerland, and Austria was truly unbelievable. Learning about the concentration camps, riding up in a Gondola to the Swiss Alps, and having my first German bratwurst were some of the many highlights of the trip.

My senior year of high school I went to Costa Rica. This trip was especially memorable because I was with a great group of friends and faculty members. We stayed and visited many poor parts of the country, and it helped me understand what poverty is like. Everyone sees commercials on television about third world countries and how they struggle every day to survive. However, physically being in an impoverished community made me grateful for the life I have, but it also made me realize how privileged and wasteful the United States is. While I was in Costa Rica, I did notice how happy and grateful the locals were. Although Costa Ricans live in a poor country, they are thankful for what they have and for the people surrounded by them. From what I understood, all Costa Ricans need in life is coffee and their family, and quite frankly, I think more people should have that mindset.

Traveling is expensive, but it’s worth it. It’s worth the twenty saved paychecks. It’s worth the arguments with your parents about whether or not you should leave the country. It’s worth it because having the chance to travel could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

I have no regrets on spending my the past three spring breaks on traveling because who knows when I will be able to visit those countries again. I will always remember my first authentic cannoli, the visit to the concentration camp in Austria, and the sighting of a sloth in Costa Rica. These are all memories that I will cherish forever.

Traveling outside of the United States opens up a person’s mind. It helps individuals understand the many different cultures that make up this world. If one does not travel, how are we supposed to understand, empathize, and respect one another if we stay in our comfort zone?

When you are engrossed in one’s culture, you are learning. When you are learning, you are understanding. When you are understanding, you are becoming more open-minded, perceptive, and knowledgable about the diverse world we all inhabit.