As the end of the summer slowly (but surely) approaches, many college students are getting ready to study abroad during the upcoming school year. That means new experiences to have, new friends to meet and most importantly, new foods to eat. However, many parents are feeling apprehensive about sending their children abroad because of the world we live in. Shootings, stabbings, rape, terrorism – you name it. It seems that not a day passes where we live our lives in fear, with no choice but to walk on eggshells.

I, for one, love to travel. If given the opportunity, then I would drop out of school at this very moment and spend the rest of my life traveling. OK, maybe I wouldn’t drop out of school, but that would be pretty awesome. There’s just something about trying new things and meeting new people that really brings out my best self.

At the beginning of the summer, I was fortunate enough to travel to Israel through Birthright with some of the most inspiring and courageous people I’ve ever met. In my 10 short days in this amazing country, I pushed myself to new limits and realized I was capable of more than I had originally thought. For example, I not only hiked Masada in 110 degree weather, but I also lived to tell about it. Although it was brutal, I knew that this trip was an experience of a lifetime, so I held my head up high and appreciated how truly lucky I was to have such an experience. This experience allowed me to genuinely appreciate traveling more than I ever have before.

While I had more than my share of fun on this trip, I also had my share of tears. I had the opportunity of going to Golan Heights, where I experienced a Syrian civil war happening just beyond the Israeli / Syrian border. This was truly an eye-opener as it allowed me to experience first-hand what occurs around the world on a regular basis. To see such an event happen right before your very eyes really hits home more than just hearing about it on TV on reading it in the paper.

In the moment, I felt scared and hopeless. However, looking back on it, I am grateful that I was able to witness it. Though it is scary to think that this is the world we live in, we must acknowledge that. Not only that, but we can’t let such events take control of our lives. By living in fear, we let the enemy win.

As I anxiously wait for my semester abroad to Florence, I could not be any more excited to travel the world. Of course, I know that no matter where I go, there will be a reason to be afraid. To doubt my every move. To sleep with one eye open. However, if I continue to live my life like this, then I will miss out on so many opportunities, such as the once in a lifetime chance to spend a semester abroad. It's not every day that you get the opportunity to study in a foreign culture, let alone eat delicious food, drink wine (legally) and make memories that will last a lifetime.

Ciao for now.