The Best Stories are Found Between the Pages of a Passport by Ilderina

The Best Stories are Found Between the Pages of a Passport by Ilderina - November 2017 Scholarship Essay

“Of all the books in the world, the best stories are found between the pages of a passport”
-Saber Ben Hassen

This quote embodies everything that I believe about traveling and how it helps us all develop our own personal identities and experiences. Traveling teaches us things that a textbook you read in school simply cannot. When you learn about a certain culture, religion, or far away city, you can most definitely picture it in your mind; but being there around that certain culture or religion in that far away city is a completely different thing. Traveling truly opens up your mind and teaches you to step out of your comfort zone. When you visit a different land, you realize that the stereotypes other countries make about each other are wrong. You gain this incredibly strong sense of cultural sensitivity and awareness, which is why I think it is so important for everyone to study abroad at some point during their years in college.

My parents immigrated to the United States of America in 1998. Thankfully, through their hard work and determination, my brother and I have been given a life full of unique and amazing experiences, including the chance to travel. The majority of our family still lives in their home country, Bosnia. A significant number of my relatives are also scattered throughout other countries in Europe. I am very appreciative of this, because it gives me the chance to see the other side of the world while visiting my family. I’ve been to Europe about 8 times now, and I wouldn’t trade the experiences and memories I have for anything. Whenever my family wants to visit a new place, we can easily come up with reasons as to why we shouldn't go, such as the typical “it’s just not the right time” excuse. We always have to remind ourselves that there is no perfect moment for anything. One thing I've learned is to take opportunities when they arrive, you never know what you could be missing out on!

In the summer of 2017, I traveled to a destination that has been on my bucket list for quite some time; Switzerland. With a population of 8.29 million people (compared to U.S. population of 324.60 million), this small country nestled in the heart of Europe is by far the most beautiful place I’ve ever been. I would highly recommend visiting Switzerland to any first time travelers, because it is one of the safest, cleanest, and most diverse countries you will find in Europe. Since it is landlocked between Germany, France and Italy, the country itself is a mix of all three languages and cultures. Within one hour of driving, you could go from the German-speaking capital city of Bern to the French-speaking region around Lake Geneva. Adjusting to sociocultural norms in this country are much easier than you would think, mainly because there is no “normal” in Switzerland. Everyone that I met there is very accepting of people from different backgrounds.

If one of your main concerns is dealing with a language barrier, don’t worry. Most people in bigger cities around the world know how to speak English. Still, in just a short 8 days in Switzerland, I learned more German than I probably ever would in a classroom setting. Once you immerse yourself into a new and unfamiliar place, you will start to unconsciously pick up on the details. It might be intimidating at first, but think about how rewarding it will be when you accomplish something you never thought you could, like being on your own in another country and learning a new language. Coming back to college after studying abroad for even just a semester would allow you to have a better understanding of the world beyond your campus. The knowledge you gain from that real world experience will change your perspective on everything.

There are so many advantages to studying abroad that will help you excel in your personal, educational, and work life. Traveling humbles you, and you may appreciate your life more after seeing the conditions in some other countries. Living in a completely different country allows you to make connections with people all over the world. If you learn a new language, it gives you an advantage in the workplace and expands your career possibilities. You are able to share your experiences with employers and coworkers, which gives you something to talk about and makes you stand out. Taking the initiative to travel shows that you are a risk-taker, a go-getter, and an opportunist.

Traveling will leave you with an emotional attachment to the places you go and the people you meet. You’ll feel like a different person; an improved version of your old self. Honestly, I don’t think anything in this world can have that kind of effect as traveling does. Universities give students this incredible option to explore, and I believe that everyone should take it. Even if you’re scared or hesitant at first, you will at least be able to say you tried and not have any regrets. If you choose to study abroad for a generous amount of time, I promise you that you’ll come back feeling fulfilled and accomplished. I challenge you to take this wonderful opportunity to grow as a person and learn something new about yourself and the world.