International travelers tend to have many characteristics: being adventurous, adaptable, open-minded, and independent.
One characteristic that we all not only have but will continuously build while we are living, studying, or traveling abroad is trust.
Since we encounter many things we have no reference for, we have a different level of awareness, are forced to be alert, and unable to rely on our old knowledge.
There are times when we need help. So we trust in the people around us.
Sometimes we get lost or simply want to find something really good to eat. So we trust in the systems and structures built wherever we are.
However, many of us have never really looked inside ourselves. But because we have nowhere to hide, we need to look.
This why, whatever the reason, we always need to have trust in ourselves.
This is because when any of us push past our limits and see how far we can go or how much we can take, we receive the greatest reward which is being able to look back and say “I did that”.
A couple of weeks ago, after hiking 12 kilometers with 500 meters of steep, strenuously climbs over three and a half mountains through sunshine, blowing wind, misty fog, and freezing rain, I reached Kjeragbolten's infamous boulder stuck 1,000 meters above the Lysenfjord.
Each and every experience like this one makes me gain even more trust in my abilities and constantly continues to test the amount of faith I have in myself.
I'm going to keep walking this way because it offers never ending opportunities to live a life of awareness, authenticity, and courage to continually make leaps into the unknown.
It was only just a few months ago that I boarded my first international flight with my passport, carry-on luggage and a lot of uncertainties.
But now, I have a stamped passport, unpacked lugged and many certainties.