I often hear my elders say how they regret not traveling while they were young. At a time when they only had to care for themselves, they did not choose to see the world... and they really wish they had. "Life got in the way" as they had full-time jobs, families, and obligations that did not allow them the freedom to travel.

Experiencing different cultures and exploring other countries can possibly help others empathize and understand other peoples' way of living. Traveling can help those learn more about themselves, especially if you travel on your own. If your school has study-abroad programs, you should consider taking the opportunity to visit a new country and see what the world has to offer.

I hope to travel the world in the next few years and explore sites that people only dream about. The Wonders of the World, the Eiffel Tower, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Big Ben, Niagara Falls, etc. While I'm still in college and learning, it is an essential time to "find myself" and appreciate the beautiful and historic areas that my grandparents wish they had seen.

Although traveling may often seem expensive, there are ways to save money. Traveling by train throughout Europe and staying in hostels can allow you to see even more for less. There are also humanitarian and non-profit works that give back to the community while still experiencing the culture firsthand.

Life is so fast; one moment you're sitting in your room writing and the next you're planning your first intercontinental trip across the world. This is your life, and you should take every chance you get to experience all the wonderful things it has to offer. I know I don't want to look back thirty years from now and wish I had rode a gondola through Venice, eaten tapas in Spain, or helped children in Ecuador. This is my life, and I want to make a difference while I am still able to make a change.