"I am not the same, having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world." - Mary Anne Radmacher
I’ve recently had the opportunity to travel abroad to Italy for five weeks. My adventure was a fulfilling and life-changing experience that I will never forget. Although, throughout my journey, I couldn’t help but think about how there are individuals my age (in their early to mid-twenties) that have the opportunity to experience something just as memorable but they don’t take it.
Traveling the world not only gives you the opportunity to view how others live and how their cultures differ from ours in the states, it gives you a different perspective on life and the world overall. Traveling creates the best memories and experiences that you could ever imagine; traveling while you're young makes it the best, most cherish-able time of your life.
You’re only young once
We spend our lives accomplishing one thing then moving right on to the next in hopes to become successful in life. We don’t spend much time pursuing our passion of exploring the world. You have your entire adult life to complete your checklists and update your resumes. When you’re young, it is the time you should spend finding yourself, where ever that may take you.
Once we decide to settle down with our five days a week 9-5 careers, get married and start a family there is no turning back. But as of right now, we hold the ability to explore the world without any commitments or attachments holding us back. If that isn’t reason enough, I’m not sure what is.
It doesn’t matter how much it costs, just do it.
Yes, trips across the world can be expensive but the experience and the memories that you gain are way more valuable than the price tag of the trip. But, what you may not know is that you don’t need as much money as you think in order to do so. It’s not a necessity to live luxuriously every night; all you need is a comfortable bed to sleep in (and air conditioning if you go in the summertime like I did) because trust me, you won’t be spending much time in your room anyways.
You’ll grow as a person
Before I went to Italy, I knew that my life was going to change for the better but I didn’t realize how quickly it would happen. Within a week or so I found myself becoming much more independent than I was before I left. I could count on myself and no one else to get somewhere on my own in a different country surrounded by things that I did not understand. A few days after I returned home I could just feel that I was a much better version of myself and I had my trip abroad to thank for that.
As long as you have the time and capability to travel I encourage you to take a trip that could will change your life forever. I will forever be grateful for the experiences and memories that I’ve gained from my time in Italy and I want everyone to be able to hold the same happiness as I do! I’ve said it before and I’m going to say it again. If you have the opportunity to take a trip like mine....DO IT, YOU WON’T REGRET IT.
