All my life, I have always wanted to travel and explore the world. I became an international studies major because of my interest in the different cultures of the world and the fact that it was a requirement for my major to study abroad at some point.
Best. Decision. Of. My. Life
The problem was that I had
been with him since my sophomore year, he helped me through all those stressful
times of having roommates that hated me and a job that seemed to be 24/7, and I
had become complacent. During my last semester at school I was part time. Unless I
was working or in class I didn’t go anywhere or do anything, which was
unhealthy.
I had always been full of
life, very independent, spunky with a big personality, but my situation and my
relationship had cause me to lose that part of myself. I stopped writing, I
barely hung out with friends and the only bright spot was the fact that in
order to complete my degree I was going to be studying abroad in Japan during
the winter semester.
(photocredit: Simon Wearne)
Though
I was only in Japan for 3 weeks, they were some of the best weeks of my life. I
met some absolutely amazing people, and I found myself again.
That super independent
leader that I had always been burst her way through the haze that had settled
over me and squashed down all the negativity that had taken over. I found my
passions again. Meeting new people and telling them about myself and the things I
liked reminded me of everything I used to love. I challenged my body by hiking
three days up a mountain without my inhaler. I challenged my mind with
discussions about life, the world and the things that need to change, and
trying to navigate through the areas that didn’t speak English. I grew in
spirit through the new bonds I created with the wonderful Japanese students and
people I met as well as the American students that I was traveling with.
The
most important thing that traveling abroad gave me was the ability to take a
step back and look at my life. It
allowed me to see that I was unhappy, very unhappy. The big epiphany was that I
was no longer in love with the man I was dating. It reminded me that I love
this crazy little world we live on which I why I decided to study it. It
reminded me that I was also studying how to resolve conflict because I truly
want this world to be a better place and I dream of the day where people will
be able to accept each other’s differences not just person to person, but even
country to country.
Studying
abroad truly did change my life. Though coming home was bittersweet, I ended a
relationship that I had been in for two and a half years and moved back home,
but I also graduated, reconnected with friends, and I’ve been so much happier
since returning. (Look at that happy face!)
(Photocredit: Ayane)
Japan
definitely hasn’t seen the last of me, and I can’t wait for more adventures to
new places (whether they be domestic or foreign) My advice to anyone who hasn’t
traveled abroad (and I don’t mean with parents, no offense but if they plan
everything and you are always with them it isn’t the same). Do it! Go
experience a place out of your comfort zone, make new friends and immerse
yourself in a new culture.
I am dedicating this blog to my new adventures. I hope to
share some new ideas and my adventures to others as I celebrate my re-found
passion for life. Now as a recent college grad who is paying off college loans
I plan on focusing on what I can do
now, not just what I wish to do. Life
is about celebrating what you have not
wishing away about what you want.
Sure, I have many plans for the future and I’m working on meeting those goals
bit by bit, but not at the expense on missing out on the now.
P.S Yes I love the Marauders and Harry Potter. One of my friends
actually calls me Padfoot in public
