My family enjoys traveling, however, everything is already decided for me wherever we go. Although I like not having to worry about the logistics or details, I’ve wanted the opportunity to plan out a trip based on my own interests without having to worry about anyone else. With that being said, studying abroad has always been on my mind from a very young age. The idea that I can go out on my own, explore, meet new people, delve into the different cultures, and make my own plans excites me. I knew I would want to go after my freshman year because it wouldn’t interfere with potential internships or co-ops in the future, but I still had to figure out where exactly I wanted to go. I originally planned for Thailand, however, the logistics of traveling didn’t make as much sense compared to Europe. It was closer, I could hit more countries, and it was overall a lot cheaper. Although I’ll miss my family and friends while I’m away, I believe this is a life changing experience that not everyone has the opportunity or support to do. My family has been very encouraging and truly supportive throughout the whole process, with helping me pack, warning me of potential scenarios, and overall just preparing me. Some might think traveling to a different country might be scary, but I am more excited than anything else. I’m excited to hike in the Swiss Alps, explore the ancient buildings and relics of Italy, swim in the Adriatic blue water in Croatia, try the different foods, and just take in the beautiful scenery of Europe as a whole. This will be a trip that I will be able to tell on to generations as it will be truly magical.
