CONTRIBUTOR'S CORNER– ADVENTURE TIME
CRYSTAL WALLER
Disclaimer: This article is the opinion of the author and does not reflect the opinion of the Student Consultants, Student Academic and Career Services, or the College of Business and Economics.
“If you think adventure is dangerous, try routine, it is lethal.”
-Paulo Coelho
-Paulo Coelho
It is human… We often fear unfamiliarity. To avoid dealing with unfamiliarity, we try to keep a routine. But the fact is that most things we encounter in life will be unfamiliar until we give them a try. If we live our life fearing what we do not know, we may miss out on a lot of opportunities. Right now—while you are still young—is the time to start being adventurous and doing things that you never imagined doing.
For me, I never thought that I would be able to travel to China until I was at least a lot older, but that is exactly what I did this last summer, and it was one of the greatest adventures of my life. I decided to apply to the study abroad program without much thought. I did not even tell my parents about it until I was accepted in the program. They were happy for me but questioned why China out of all places in the world. I questioned that, too, but then I thought, “Why not China out of all the places in the world?” Despite my confidence in my decision, I was in many ways not prepared for the true adventure I faced. I continued working up until three days before I was to leave, so I had not focused on the trip or the fact that I would be in a totally different country far away from my family and friends for two months. I even packed the night before the trip. I must say I was impressed with myself for getting that done and not forgetting anything. When I arrived in China, the unfamiliarity this trip promised finally hit me. I saw no one that looked like me and everyone around me spoke a language that I could not speak. At this point, I thought that I was crazy. I thought maybe I should have questioned my decision a bit more, but I had no choice at that moment. I was 13 hours away from Maryland. I had not changed the data plan on my phone, so I could not call and ask my parents to get me the next flight home. As daunting as this way, it was actually very exhilarating. I went with a program of students from different parts of the United States and met a ton of different people from different schools throughout the world. I received many strange stares from people not used to seeing people outside of their culture, but learned to embrace it. I learned more about myself, and it was one of the greatest learning experiences of my life.
If I had been too afraid, I could have missed out on meeting some lifelong friends and experiencing a different lifestyle in general. I am so glad that I went because who knows when I will have the opportunity to take two months and explore another country again. I went in not knowing what would happen, but it turned out to be the best thing that I have ever done.
My advice to you is if the opportunity presents itself, do it. If you don't, you will probably look back and regret not doing it. Go get cultured and have fun! As writer Robin Sharma said, “Don’t live the same year 75 times and call it a life.”
It is human… We often fear unfamiliarity. To avoid dealing with unfamiliarity, we try to keep a routine. But the fact is that most things we encounter in life will be unfamiliar until we give them a try. If we live our life fearing what we do not know, we may miss out on a lot of opportunities. Right now—while you are still young—is the time to start being adventurous and doing things that you never imagined doing.
For me, I never thought that I would be able to travel to China until I was at least a lot older, but that is exactly what I did this last summer, and it was one of the greatest adventures of my life. I decided to apply to the study abroad program without much thought. I did not even tell my parents about it until I was accepted in the program. They were happy for me but questioned why China out of all places in the world. I questioned that, too, but then I thought, “Why not China out of all the places in the world?” Despite my confidence in my decision, I was in many ways not prepared for the true adventure I faced. I continued working up until three days before I was to leave, so I had not focused on the trip or the fact that I would be in a totally different country far away from my family and friends for two months. I even packed the night before the trip. I must say I was impressed with myself for getting that done and not forgetting anything. When I arrived in China, the unfamiliarity this trip promised finally hit me. I saw no one that looked like me and everyone around me spoke a language that I could not speak. At this point, I thought that I was crazy. I thought maybe I should have questioned my decision a bit more, but I had no choice at that moment. I was 13 hours away from Maryland. I had not changed the data plan on my phone, so I could not call and ask my parents to get me the next flight home. As daunting as this way, it was actually very exhilarating. I went with a program of students from different parts of the United States and met a ton of different people from different schools throughout the world. I received many strange stares from people not used to seeing people outside of their culture, but learned to embrace it. I learned more about myself, and it was one of the greatest learning experiences of my life.
If I had been too afraid, I could have missed out on meeting some lifelong friends and experiencing a different lifestyle in general. I am so glad that I went because who knows when I will have the opportunity to take two months and explore another country again. I went in not knowing what would happen, but it turned out to be the best thing that I have ever done.
My advice to you is if the opportunity presents itself, do it. If you don't, you will probably look back and regret not doing it. Go get cultured and have fun! As writer Robin Sharma said, “Don’t live the same year 75 times and call it a life.”