I can remember how beautiful the Mexican city looked as the ship began to sail out of the harbor. How dark the sky was and how bright the stars were. The MV Explorer was buzzing with the excitement of over 600 students as we embarked on the most amazing journey of our lives. Over the course of four months we would experience the different cultures and ways of living in 12 different countries, while studying on a ship that would circumnavigate the globe.
Exactly one year ago today, I began my study abroad experience through Semester at Sea. Words always fail me when it comes to describing this voyage. How could I possibly portray the essence of my experience with enough brevity to not annoy friends and family? Thinking back on this time makes me so very nostalgic; this was an incredible trip that I wish I could live over and over again.
Studying abroad truly changed my life. I thought that I was a very independent person before I left, but after travelling alone in a 3rd world country, I feel empowered to do anything. I learned to just go with the flow of things when my group and I were almost stranded in Vietnam. I gained experience with intercultural communications in Japan where almost no one spoke English. The list continues.
It also had some negative changes, including the fact that I have absolutely no idea what I want to do with my life anymore. I had been so set in my ways and then the things that I saw unraveled everything. While I love my hometown, I will never be truly happy here. There will always be that desire to get out and experience what the world has to offer. I often question whether I will ever be able to settle down in one place. What can a person do to when they have lived out their biggest dreams before they even turned 20?
I am certain that I will spend the rest of my life trying to figure this out.
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