If you need a sign to explore the world, here it is.
Hey y'all, I am back and better than ever. My Europe trip was life-changing and no, I am not exaggerating.
When I tell you, experiences are so rewarding and educational, just know there is so much truth in that. Simply stepping back and observing how people live their lives in other countries is fascinating and mind-altering. It proved to me that there is so much more to life than what I knew prior to my travels.
I have a deep admiration for how people in Europe live their lives. As many of you know, I’m always striving to live in the moment. Embracing each new culture with an open mind and a passion for experiencing different lifestyles made living in the present feel effortless. In Europe, it seems that people generally prioritize their well-being and personal lives above all else. They truly embody the idea of working to live rather than living to work. Europeans pursue their goals while valuing time with family and friends, something I aspire to incorporate into my own life, both now and in my future career.
I don’t mean to bash America, because I do admire America’s work ethic and I see it in myself. I even had a few locals ask me about my future goals, and tell me that I was so American and I am proud of that. However, don’t hesitate to take a step back and enjoy the moment you are in right now, because that is something I am so grateful that I did throughout my travels and ultimately contributed to the establishment of so many core memories.
Also, if you can, please explore the world. It's quite nearly impossible to encapsulate the value of travel in words without experiencing it for yourself.
I am honestly proud to say that I worked so hard to pay for my travels. It made my trip that much more rewarding. Knowing that I was able to provide those experiences for myself made me appreciate everything that much more.
Exploring the world teaches you that there is more to life than your hometown. There are so many more opportunities than the ones around you. There are so many ways to live life and so many good reasons to explore what life has to offer before settling for the one you may be living now.
I know that for some, it can be frightening to put yourself out there and step outside of your comfort zone. Change is terrifying, and I stand by that.
Yet, it is thrilling and necessary for personal development. Maturing is realizing that change is crucial if you want to succeed and continue to grow as a person.
Amalfi-Positano, Italy - July 31, 2024 — A breathtaking view of the coast from Amalfi-Positano
On another note, traveling throughout Europe provided me with so many new lifelong connections. I was able to travel through EF tours, with a group of 33 people, 32 of them I didn’t know and I was the remaining one. It was scary to travel with a group of strangers, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. The lifelong connections that I was able to make while on this trip were beyond worth it.
Together we all experienced a lifetime of memories in just five weeks. It was impossible not to become friends with everyone in the group, and for that I am so thankful. Experiencing the world with people is far better in my opinion, even if you start out as complete strangers. Though solo travel is admirable, it was even more rewarding to make those memories with lifelong friends.
Europe also taught me to appreciate the little things, like AC for example. It was humbling in a way to recognize all of the amenities that I take for granted as an American citizen and it made me appreciate my life in the United States more than before.
My trip also taught me that I have so much exploring to do. Even within the U.S. the world is a beautiful place, and it deserves to be seen by all of us. I need to explore even more now and I can’t wait to do so one day.
Ultimately, I encourage you to embark on your goals. Even if that is not travel, though I highly recommend it, pursuing what you’ve always dreamt of doing is beyond self-rewarding. It is truly life-changing. If you set your mind to something, it is possible, and this trip proved me with that experience.
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