Learning Tolerance Through Travel by Gabriella

Learning Tolerance Through Travel by Gabriella - November 2017 Scholarship Essay

If I were given the opportunity to study abroad, I would make the most of every experience and every encounter to further better myself. I pride myself on being open to all different people and cultures. I firmly believe that when people accept society’s unique differences, it makes the world a better place to live.

The trip would be about the journey, not the destination. I would not care where I went, who I went with or even how I get there. My main focus would be to soak up every possible piece of knowledge I could gain. I want my college experience to be a period of personal growth. Studying abroad would be a highlight my journey as a student. The interactions I would have with the people I meet along the way would help me to be more sensitive to differences in the world and ultimately more tolerant wherever I end up after college. Doesn’t the world need a little more tolerance?

The summer going into my junior year of high school, I was afforded the opportunity of a ten day trip to Europe. This small insight of what the other side of the world looks like only made me more excited to travel. I was captivated by the sights, smells, and customs that I observed there. The most interesting part, was the places I thought I would like the least, I enjoyed the most. This taught me to be open minded and reserve judgement. While this ten day experience seemed like “the trip of a lifetime”, I have no doubt in my mind that a semester abroad, immersed in a different culture, would be life changing.

I have always wanted to study abroad. I want to spend my life explore everything this world has to offer and I do not intend on wasting any time. I have found that showing people respect and kindness will only lead to respect and kindness back.