why travel?

Traveling for me has been one of the most beneficial and fulfilling aspects of my life (hence the reasoning behind my blog genre). My desire to travel began 4 years ago when I was involved in a French exchange program at my school. That was the first time I met other students that were not from the United States, I had no idea how closed minded I had really been. I never thought about any other “cultures” apart from my own, and seeing these teenagers who were living completely different lives fueled a newfound  passion inside of me. A passion to engage, to learn, to speak and to immerse myself in new cultures and new places consumed me. After that exchange program, I travelled to 6 new countries, something that I most likely would have never done before. So why travel? Some may say it’s too pricy or too much of a hassle. But experience and a wealth of new knowledge should never be denied due to soaring costs. I have learned more travelling than I will or have ever in a classroom. Travelling opens your mind to the world, and shows you that there is more out there than what you have always known. Travelling has changed me as a person and has changed the way that I see things and the way that I want to live. I never realized that while finding new destinations I was really finding myself. So that is why I travel and have such an appreciation for new places.