“To move, to breathe, to fly, to float,
To gain all while you give,
To roam the roads of lands remote,
To travel is to live.”
-Hans Christian Andersen

There is a feeling associated with being somewhere new that shows you everything you didn’t know. From being surrounded by a language that seems indecipherable, to smells you’ve never experienced, to people who aren’t familiar with your own culture’s quirks, you are surrounded by something completely unfamiliar. And it is exhilarating.

When looking at pictures of previous travels abroad, I can clearly recall each experience. It’s not just a recollection of that exact moment, but a full remembrance of all of the things I felt. I think about how sweltering hot it was on a certain day, or the burst of flavor I got from tasting something for the first time.

I can remember how the cobblestones felt under my feet and just being in that particular place. Feelings and specific memories become one simultaneous thing. All of the things I sensed are brought back up just by looking at a photo. These are the kinds of memories that change things in your life; they are the kind of memories that you will always have in the back of your mind.

Lessons learned while traveling are things even the best books couldn’t teach you. You don’t really know what to expect until you arrive at your destination, and that’s the best part. From figuring out logistics such as luggage claim and tickets to aimlessly wandering a city.

There is something to be learned in each brick you pass and each conversation you have. Everything is new and exciting! There is history to learn and tasty foods to try. There are new words to pronounce and old buildings to marvel at. The entire atmosphere is different. Boredom doesn’t become an option when you are surrounded by so much novelty.

So let traveling be an opportunity that you always want to jump into. You never know what you’ll experience and what might stick with you for the rest of your life. There is always a chance to see something new, so take advantage of this. After each trip, you’ll come home just a little bit different. Live, learn, and experience this crazy planet.