The Experience of a Lifetime by Faustina

The Experience of a Lifetime by Faustina - November 2017 Scholarship Essay

We were atop the rocky ridge, looking deep into the split valley below. Despite the chain link fence holding my family and me back, I could still see miles of the Grand Canyon in front of me. The smile that donned my ten-year-old face was full of awe and happiness. Looking back, I now know that it was this moment that sparked the passion for my love of adventure and travel.
During high school, my desire to go abroad was overwhelming. I knew that it was something that I had to do before I graduated. Having created this mental deadline for myself, I was able to begin planning. My dad was retired and single, since my mother passed away. So, when I told him about my wish to take a summer volunteer trip in another country, he regretfully told me that we could not afford it. However, I did not let this answer stop or dissuade me. My best friend and future travel partner, Melanie, and I decided to get jobs when we both turned sixteen. It was my junior year of high school, filled with AP classes, college visits, and standardized testing. Nevertheless, I managed to earn the necessary funding to cover my trip.
By summer, Melanie and I were finally ready for our first authentic experience abroad. We were seventeen and neither of us had ever been out of the country before, yet now we were about to do so with only each other for company. The prospect was terrifying, but even more so, it was exhilarating. Our two-week trip in Costa Rica taught me a lot. I learned about a whole new culture, practiced my Spanish, and made international friends.
Since that summer trip, my itch to travel the world has only grown stronger. My adventure to Costa Rica taught me that one of the best ways to learn is through experience. Just as visiting another country enhanced my high school experience, I know that studying abroad in college will transform the next four years of my life into something unforgettable. As someone who has felt and seen the positive and impactful effects of travel first-hand, I know that studying abroad in college will not only strengthen my knowledge, but also my independence, passion, and determination.