Dear Dad,

I may not to be able to say it to your face, but there are some things that I thought you should know.

When I was in Amsterdam, I did all the drugs, like all the drugs. I didn’t do just some of the drugs-- I did all the drugs. Who knew that you could powder marijuana? And in Berlin, I visited the Red Light District-- hey, you told me to figure out how to pay for college. And when I was in Kassel, I didn’t actually do much studying; I just drank and wondered what the hell was going on with Documenta.

All these things I couldn’t say to your face, because they didn’t happen. I didn’t do drugs (because I didn’t visit Amsterdam). I didn’t go to the Red Light District in Berlin. While I enjoyed the beer of Germany, I never did get drunk. I never went partying.

Some of my other peers did party and they did enjoy themselves in these ways, but I chose a different path. I intended every one of my classes, and I tried my hardest-- sometimes, but other times I didn’t know what they were saying because it was in fluent German. I tried my hardest to learn German, but I don’t think my tongue can move that quickly.

I want you to know, Dad, that your money didn’t get wasted on the wonderful adventure I went on. I want you to know that when I went classes, I actually learned. But it wasn’t all about the classes that you spent money on.

From my airplane ticket over to my airplane ticket back, from all those nights I spent eating Italian or German cuisine, from all of those days that I went and experienced, your money wasn’t wasted.

I became one with my surroundings. I became one with the German people. I blended in and no one noticed the difference. Your money was well spent as I learned a new culture and a new language. Your money was well spent as I went into museums and learned their history. Your money was well spent as I drank the German beer because it’s culture.

Coming home, I know I will have these experiences stay with me. The money you have spent on me has given me friends not just from Germany but from Australia, Hong Kong, Mexico and Spain. I haven’t just learned about Germany, but I have learned about the lands my other peers came from.

You should know that your money is well spent because I won’t stop traveling now. I know I can do it alone. Next time it will be just my money, but know that you started me on my journey. For all the people I have met, now I have a place to go. And you started me on my path.

From a young age, you taught me to go see the world. While you were on business trips, I dreamed of going. Now I have gone. Now I have learned. I so desperately want to go back. And you started this. Not everyone has this chance, and I am very fortunate, from you.

So one last thing:

Thank you, Dad.