Study Abroad: How a Different Culture Changes You

When people ask me where I am from I experience a short moment of panic. Mine is a history of people and places spread out over time and space. It is so confusing to have seen the world and feel like I am part of it all. I am a product of every person I've ever known. They all define me.

In Cuba they gave me flags, showing how proud they are of their tiny nation. In Vietnam, South Korea, and Japan they gave me tea and food, showing their true hospitality. In Brazil, South Africa, and China they shared dancing and songs with me. But what I carry with me through life cannot be eaten, waved or quantified in the least sense of the word.

It is because of the Maasai people in Tanzania I will never again complain about the size of my dorm room after witnessing the happiness of these people, who live with five others in a hut the size of a minivan. Never again will I whine about my mother's mystery goulash after a proud Maasai warrior told me his people survive on a diet of only goat, beef, and cow's blood. After leaving the village I was hit with a powerful lesson in reality: in material means I have so much, but when it comes to the greater riches in life I find I am lacking. After meeting the Maasia, I desire to cleanse my world of pointless complaints and now focus my energies on life's real treasures.
It is because of the people in Turkey and Syria that will never worry about time again. They can sit for hours talking with complete strangers not looking at the clock, just living in the moment rather the future. I learned that taking the time to communicate with other people and to try to see their point of view is far better than a quick chat, which could end up with complete misunderstanding. But it can be a dangerous one as well, I can end up caring for these people as well which no longer makes it a me versus them situation. I hope I have the courage to do the same in my life with strangers in the States.

After being told not to give to the beggars in India, I will forever see the women's face that cried because I had no soap to give her. I will forever see the man who cried and followed me for blocks begging me to give him food. I will forever see the children. The starving children as I pushed them aside to get into my hotel-my temple to escape being overwhelmed by feelings and thoughts. How could I ignore them? How could I not give to the beggars? But I was told not to give to the beggars. But I was wrong. I gave them a part of me each and every time. I gave a part of me naive to the pains of others- to the horrors of others. I gave my innocence and they gave me their pain.

So, what I have taken with me would not fit in all the pieces of luggage in the world. Making my burden heavier now, but I know I am better for it.

My traveling has educated me in volumes that far surpass anything I could ever read in a textbook. It has been about meeting new people and making friends for life. It's about laughing until it hurts because you're having so much fun and crying your eyes dry because things have been so sad or they just don't make any sense. I think I should not only appreciate, but also enjoy what I have. Use my own far more comfortable situation than many others have to learn and develop as fully as I possible can. Part of being given more than the world's fair share means I have the responsibility to give back, to assess how much I really need in my life, and to find ways to redistribute time, money, and energy to those who got a smaller portion, or even none at all. When I figure out how to give back in a way that fits for me, I am positive I will discover I can have a lot of fun, that it feels good to give back to others by contributing, that I actually get back more than I give.

So as I continue on this path, each day I learn something new about myself, about others, and about the world in general. By becoming a citizen of the world I have opened my eyes to everything this planet has to offer. I have stepped outside of my comfort zone and moved into a place of vulnerability. Has this process been scary at times? Absolutely. Am I breaking old habits to form new and improved practices? You bet. Has it been worth it? I am not even going to answer that.

Even though I am a little scared about heading home in December, and anxious about what I have been exposed to, I can try to find comfort in the fact that I will always have the friends I have made along the way, I will always have what I have learned, and I will always have the confidence to know that I can do anything. I can take what I have seen and learned, and choose to change the world- I am a world traveler, watch me go.