"To Travel or Not to Travel. That is the Question" by Sara

"To Travel or Not to Travel. That is the Question" by Sara - March 2016 Scholarship Essay

"Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends." Maya Angelou
My mother, a teacher, often tells students that travel is the best education. As an American born citizen, and the granddaughter of an Air Force Colonel, I am proud to be an American. Our country isn't perfect, by any means, however, it's easy to see that we are incredibly blessed to live in this great country. However, with the recent campaigns upon us, and seeing issues of refugees and immigration being discussed at every turn, I am reminded that we are not alone in this world.
In order to best empathize and support our global brothers and sisters, I feel it would be beneficial for all students to spend some time in another country. I heard a story about Samantha Smith, a 10 year old American girl who wrote a letter to Mikhail Gorbachev in 1982, asking why he hated the United States. Mr. Gorbachev invited Samantha and her family to the Soviet Union, so they could see first hand that people are people, and our differences are minimal, yet exploited by the media.
Traveling to another country could increase awareness of global problems, but also help global cooperation. During the Civil War, white Northerners really didn't understand the severity of slavery until "Uncle Tom's Cabin" was released. In the same way, as ignorance is bliss, more exposure to the daily lives of people in other countries could help the case of everyone in this world. Together we could work to end oppression, exploitation, and slave labor. We could increase cooperation and communication around the world!
In conclusion, I feel requiring students to spend time abroad would benefit our society as well as our global neighbors.