A Change of Perspective by Emily

A Change of Perspective by Emily - November 2017 Scholarship Essay

To travel is to invest in yourself. It contributes to a change of perspective and a decrease of personal stress or anxiety. It’s an opportunity to expand your horizons and gain new insights. Exploring new cultures and social classes creates a level of compassion that I believe is unattainable any other way. It brings a feeling of content and the understanding that your problems are not as overwhelming as you previously thought.

This change of mindset was only one of the many repercussions that I experienced this past summer after my first significant traveling experience. I served a humanitarian trip in Belize for my senior trip, where I was able to connect with the people on a very individualized and personal level. My humanitarian group spent a majority of our day building an elementary school and entertaining the kids. Our evenings and weekends were spent with our neighbors and leaders. Serving a humanitarian trip in Belize benefitted my life in more ways than assisting me with creating successful college applications. Through this experience, I gained new relationships, and discovered what it was like to love people without really knowing them.

I would love nothing more than to have that kind of experience again. If I had the opportunity to study abroad, it would give me the chance to regain that perspective. I have a tendency to become very overwhelmed with the tasks that I am required to complete, and traveling completely diminishes those feelings of inadequacy. It shows how insignificant my issues are when compared to the obstacles of others. It also gives me the confidence to introduce myself to people I am unfamiliar with, and I am more willing to try new experiences. Trying new things is one of the biggest aspects that attracts individuals to a university. If I feel uncomfortable with attempting to create new experiences for myself, I will miss out on so many elements of what college has to offer me.