Ever since I was a kid, traveling has always been something I hoped to do. As a child of immigrants from the West Indies, we traveled a lot. This usually meant summer vacations at the beach and nightly family cookouts, but something was missing. Don't get me wrong, I love seeing the sunset behind the mountains while sitting in my beach chair, however, the sense of adventure wasn't there. I've had chances to travel abroad before and as many other family struggles, the financial costs of these trips sometimes outweighed the benefits. Being a college student in my second year, financial costs are tough and money is hard to come by for extra activities. I finally told myself I'd probably never get this chance again, as school will become more expensive later on. It's easier said than done, but study abroad was the best thing on my bucket list that I've done. Honestly, the best hands down experience in college so far.

There's something about traveling to a country you've never been to, that sparks the sense of adventure within. Over spring break, I finally got the opportunity to travel abroad to Rome, Italy and I had never imagined that it would have impacted me the way that it has. Of course, you have to do the normal tourist like actions such as visiting the historic sights and the museums. (Who wouldn’t tour the Colosseum when visiting Rome- you just have to!) Other than doing tour after tour, you get to assimilate to a new culture. Something that is different from your own, something so intriguing and new, that it captivates you until you get sucked in and you decide you never want to leave. You’re probably thinking how in the world is traveling to Rome life changing? Well who knows what you can experience while you’re there, that will change your mind about something, or give you a whole new meaning to life.

When I am done with my bachelors’ I would like to get my masters in social work. Not just any kind of social worker, but a social worker or communications major working through the United Nations for disaster aid relief. As a college student, I’ve struggled with trying to find the right pathway to my career, which has led me to my final destination as a social worker (or at least I hope). Anyway, the point is while on my trip we were given the opportunity to tour the World Food Program and the Food and Agricultural Organization. The Food and Agricultural Organization is the brain of the World Food Program and develops business plans and helps countries build a better society for their people through food. Getting to the point, I didn’t know these organizations existed let alone I could someday work for them. Opportunities I didn’t even know were out there and now I have connections. In college, it’s all about the networking and I believe that my study abroad experience has helped me realize that there really is more out there than I knew before. Even if study abroad is not something you can afford, I encourage you to get out there and see something new, whether it be just around your community or further out. Have fun "Roaming!"