Go Wander

I have never studied abroad during my college career thus far, however I plan to because I have seen the positive outcome of it before. During my junior year of high school, I traveled to Arizona and Utah as part of a National Geographic Student Expedition. It was a twelve day trip that consisted of kids from all over the country engaging in a field study of the southwest landscape. The group’s purpose was to study ancient culture of the southwest, primarily around the Grand Canyon.

As someone who had never done much traveling, my nerves and anticipation took over. I worried about what to expect and my imagination ran wild. I had no idea how enriching a learning experience like this could be. Although I did not leave the US, I believe this experience is comparable to one studying abroad. Traveling by yourself for the first time takes you out of your comfort zone, which may be scary, however it will give you a true feeling of independence. Traveling as a student is a great experience because we can afford to take the time and the risks. We have no full time job holding us back and for the most part it can be done without financial strain.

Upon arrival to my destination, everyone started talking about where they were from. With students from all over the US the difference in dialect was a conversation piece and the age old question; pop versus soda, made for a good argument. These minor differences in culture can be examined on a larger scale. Studying abroad puts you in a learning environment immersed in a culture that is not your own. When living in a place that is foreign to us, to whatever extent, we as humans pick up characteristics of it and adapt our lifestyle to exist in it. We live in a global world where we know what is happening on the other side of the planet and understanding global cultures is the key to peaceful coexistence. Seeing the daily life in a country in Africa, or the Middle East can help us better understand their role from the global perspective.

Traveling abroad and seeing these different modern day civilizations and the people who make it what it is can give one a sense of humanity. It can make us look at the world beyond political borders and see the pursuit of happiness that is in daily life all over the planet.

Seeing places we might not otherwise see, learning something beyond textbooks, and gaining some independence is what there is to gain by not only studying abroad, but traveling abroad. Intimidation plays a role in these trips, but is often a good indication of something worth doing.

After my project in the southwest I returned home with an accomplishment that has contributed to the person I am today. And in times like these, when deciding if traveling or taking the risk is the right thing to do, there is not always a clear answer or outcome. The wonder of the wander can be the reward that makes the decision worthwhile.