Recently I was asked If I was scared for my upcoming trip abroad. Of course I started to explain all sorts of thing that I am nervous about — traveling on my own for the first time, being away from home for an extended period of time,and all sorts of fears that come along when any student is planning on studying in another country for any extended period of time. However what the person meant was If I afraid because of all the recent terrorist attacks. That was not even something that came across my mind when they asked the question. Personally I do not want to let the recent attacks that have happened in France and Belgium affect me from carrying on with my life, and having amazing adventures.
In my opinion if we let these attacks paralyze us we are letting the terrorists win. Don’t get me wrong, terrorist attacks are extremely frightening and sad. However we can not live our lives in fear. Tragedy can take place anywhere or anytime,it is something that we can not predict. If you wanted to protect yourself from all the bad things in the world you would be living in a bubble. Terrorists want to instill fear into people, and by not doing what you want to do and going where you want to go they are getting what they want.
Terrorist attacks have also happened right here in our own backyard. This doesn't mean I’m going to be afraid to go to New York City or Boston. Just as I wouldn’t be scared to take a trip to Paris right now if I had that opportunity. I want to have as many adventures and lead as full of a life as possible — and I don’t want fear to keep me from doing so.
So my answer is no — I have no fears of studying abroad. I can’t predict what is going to happen and don’t want to live a life of always thinking about the what if’s. I respect others opinions, but I personally think letting the tragedies that have happened this year is a shame.Through travel you gain so much new knowledge, life experiences, and memories. I don’t want to let anything stop me from gaining those valuable moments. Life is only so long, fear should not be what stops you from living it.
