At the age of 17, I was given the opportunity to move to Abu Dhabi, in the Middle East. My mother accepted a job to teach internationally when I was 16. We knew that I would be able to move there with her In February because I graduated from high school early.
While I was living there I traveled to India, Thailand, Oman, Jordan, and Qatar.
One of the most eye opening experiences for me was while I was in India. I was staying in a pretty nice hotel, and while I looked out my window I saw homes that were held together by any pieces of material they could find. I had a bed, plenty of food, a spa, a nice shower and they barley even had a safe enough shelter.
India was where I truly believed for myself that I am truly blessed for all that I have. India was where I finally knew what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I want to work internationally. Go into third world countries and help with their resources for their children with disabilities in their schools.
Yes, you can have the same experience that I had in America. But I truly believe traveling to different countries is eye opening. You do not only have the chance to see beautiful landscapes, see different cultures and languages but find who YOU are.
You can find a number of excuses to not get on a plane and go to a different country. The price, safety, too much to do at home. But while you are young and in your early adult hood is when you have the opportunity to drop everything and travel.
There are ways to pay for the airline ticket. Once you get to your chosen country you can stay in hostiles, hotels are cheaper. The safety in most countries sounds much more extreme in America. Yes, there are many places in the Middle East that I would not even step foot in because that is where war is. But China is not as extreme as what the news makes it up to be, the UAE where my family lives in much safer than NYC.
Pack a bag, get on a plane, and see something new.
While you are young you have more of a chance to do so more than when you have a family when you are older.
I have seen the true beauty this world has to offer. I have seen ancient Chinese gardens, different religions and cultures and how genuine many people are in these countries.
While living in the Middle East, I learned how welcoming many families are and how giving they can be.
Yes, not all families are this way. Not all families are as welcoming, but a majority of them are.
America has a view on the rest of the world that makes you want to just stay put in your state. Yes, the news does speak most of the truth. There is war, bad people, and strong anger towards the U.S. But more countries than you know will look at you as an American, and think you are so special to have the freedom and opportunities that you do in America.
So, if one could take any thing away from this article, one should have more of an open mind when it comes to leaving the country.
