Since travel is a crucial part of our program, I thought we should share our stories of the most impactful and memorable moments we've had on our own travels. I was 21 when I went on my first international vacation. My sister and I joined our aunt, uncle, and cousin for a week in southern Spain that started with a day layover in Paris (and ended—for me— with a few days in London). I expected nothing and learned so much about myself! Don’t get me wrong. I was excited beyond belief, but I expected nothing because there was no time to create expectations.
In order to be able to go on this trip, I had to consolidate an already quick-paced 10-week college quarter into just 9 weeks. I finished my last final, packed my things, went to the airport, and slept every minute of the 11 hours of the flight. I woke up to the City of Lights, unbelievable croissants, and view after view of places I had only ever seen in movies and pictures. After a lifetime in ballet classes, I saw Degas’ ballerinas gracing the walls of the Musee d’Orsay. I found painters painting in the streets of Montmartre and everywhere I went, I didn’t understand what anyone was saying… and I loved it! I would’ve said I was dreaming if I hadn’t just woken up from the world’s longest nap.
That was just in one day in Paris. I still had Spain and England to come! That trip was the first and last time I ever traveled anywhere without planning meticulously. I love spontaneity as much as the next person, but when you’re not sure when you’ll be able to travel again or be back in that city, you want to make sure to see and do the things that are most important to you. I think that planning ahead allows you to be spontaneous without later kicking yourself about missing something.
That lesson was the most important thing I’ve learned about traveling. I also learned that I love watching the everyday life of locals as much as seeing the big, impressive sights. I learned I was comfortable being someplace completely foreign to me. I found that six years of studying helped me learn Spanish, but living with it was far superior and taught me to communicate in Spanish. Finally, I saw cultural differences that surprised me… things involving shopping bags, antibiotic availability, scandalous eggs, and dusty backroads. But those are stories for a different post. Stay tuned!
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