Traveling is something that I have always had a passion for. Ever since I was little, I have always been eager for adventure. My fondest memories include the times when I would count down the days until it was time for my family to go away, as I would eagerly anticipate what the new place would be like. Even if it were somewhere within driving distance that I had never been to before, I always loved the thrill of the anticipation. As I grew up, this passion only grew stronger. In high school, I went on two abroad trips, and although I was nervous, they were two of the most rewarding experiences ever.

I truly believe, along with many others, that travel shapes people. Experiencing new things, new cultures, and places only enriches our worldview and perspective even more. My experiences staying with a homestay family, as well as hosting an exchange student, have opened me up to a whole new world of opportunity. In France, I stayed with a family who barely spoke English. At the time, I had been taking high school French for a few years, but was still at a fairly beginner level. Being in the environment where I had to speak French in order to communicate really put me out of my comfort zone, in the best way possible. I not only learned the language in a hands on way, but also gained an appreciation for the language as well as my French class. I realized why we learned things the way that we did, and seeing the language actually being used right in front of me was an amazing experience. For anyone learning a language, I highly recommend traveling to a country where they are going to be exposed to the language directly. Learning a language by testing and memorization may produce a short term knowledge, but it is practice and exposure that is essential to fully understanding the language.

Traveling shapes people, because it provides them with a different perspective of the world. People tend to get caught in their own bubble, and it is very reasonable to do so. For one thing, traveling can be extremely expensive and time consuming. It requires taking time off from work or school, and it disrupts the flow of our weekly schedules. However, I think that travel can be simple; it does not necessarily have to be traveling to a foreign country, or even require getting on a plane for that matter. Travel means going to a place that is outside of your home; it can be going on a road trip for the weekend, or even going somewhere close to home that you have never been before. New places, experiences, and people shape us. They are what cause us to grow, change, and learn. In life, it is truly important to utilize what we have around us. So, maybe the next time you are on the couch on a Saturday, look into what is around you. Even if it is as simple as going to a new nature park, seizing the opportunities around us is what will enrich your day.