Just like everyone else, I have a list of places I need to see in my lifetime. We all have our own reasons for our wanted ventures and at 18, I’m privileged to say that I’m halfway through my list. As I grew up, my parents stayed to our traditional vacation which I loved, but we rarely traveled outside the United States.
While I still loved these vacations, I had longed for long plane rides and seeing a new culture, experience new things and practicing speaking another language. The day I walked into my first day of high school I was presented a trip that would change my life. As high school progressed I was lucky enough to visit Italy my freshman and senior year, and Spain my junior year with the company ACIS. This gave me numerous opportunities to explore a new place with my best friends that I truly consider family. On these trips, I learned more than I could ever share about other countries, but I also learned a lot about myself.
1. The Ambiance
The second you step off the plane, it doesn’t really hit you that you’re in a new place. Most airports are pretty generic, however once you take a second to look around--at the stores and listen to the language, you realize that you’re inhabiting a new domain. It hits you just as fast as the jet lag does, to be quite honest; which is instant. However, while it’s a culture shock, it’s the best shock you could probably have, or that I’ve ever had. As you start to truly realize where you are, and you realize it’s no longer a dream or a count down on your phone, it creates a surreal feeling.
2. The Food
The next, but normally everyone's favorite part is exploring the new opportunities for food. Not only do you get to try the local dishes and check out small scale mom and pop places, but if needed (I don’t recommend but I’ll admit I’ve done it) you can check out their McDonald’s, etc. since they have a variety of menus depending on cultural regions. To my family’s dismay, I’ve gotten an acquired taste to fresh pasta and bubble tea which makes both these items practically staples in our household. This is another bonus of any trip, they enable you to absorb things and bring it home to share with your loved ones.
3. The Life
While to food is fun, the varied lifestyles really make an impact on you. This only becomes to your benefit if you try to talk with locals. It’s relatively easy because most are bilingual and will speak in English and, in fact, love practicing with Americans. From this, you can learn about how a man started with nothing and made a successful pizzeria, or they will talk to you about anything, honestly.
Being open is especially important with trips, always be willing to try everything at least once. From sticking to this motto, I took salsa lessons in Madrid, went for a Gondola ride in Venice, performed for the Pope, and many other opportunities I would’ve missed out on if I wasn't open to it. Another aspect of life is their history, learn some things and visit a museum or Church. Most European countries have countless Churches in a 20-mile radius. They are all so embellished and remarkable in their own might. Even if history isn’t your thing, you’d be surprised on what you can learn from an hour visit to a museum.
4. Myself
Leaning about others’ culture is absolutely amazing in its own might, however on these trips, I also learned about myself. I learned an intense sense of direction (I turned off my cell service overseas to save on the bill which left me with a classic paper map), as well as improved my self-confidence. While I was abroad, I was put into multiple situations that I wouldn’t have had to figure out if I was home. Such as the language barrier as mentioned previously. Sometimes, the residents weren’t bilingual and I would have to practice the language.
5. Relationships
From each of these trips, I left barely knowing half of the people and came back regarding most of them as dear friends. Being overseas already gives you an ‘in’ per-say with people; you are all foreigners in a new place. While this might not be the only thing that bonds you, it’s, at least, a starting point to work from. The jokes and memories from these week or so trips will stay with me for the rest of my life.
I started to think on these trips as this was the time of year I’d find myself at JFK with a red-eye flight to Europe and for the first time in years, I realized I wasn’t going. To be honest, it broke my heart a little. I could talk to you for hours about these trips--the things I ate, the people I saw, the places I toured and so on. I left these trips changed each time, for the better.
I know most people aren’t so lucky to be able to do this, and for that, I’m extremely grateful to the tour company (ACIS), my high school, and of course, my parents. While they’ve never been abroad, they worked so hard to get me there, not once, but three times. For that, I’m eternally grateful. The point I’m aiming for here, is that travel is a beautiful thing and I could see it as nothing less. However, I know some people that are fearful of new environments and I promise you, it’ll be okay and that is a thousand times worth it. The world is meant to be explored and learned from, don’t miss out.
I wish you all the best in any endeavor you might take!
