I once read a speech by David Foster Wallace that forever changed my outlook on life. In the most simplistic manner, he managed to reveal one of the most important life lessons that we often seem to forget. The basic, yet easily overlooked fact that the world in fact does not revolve around us, and instead, that there are approximately 7 billion people who live their lives every day, just as we do.
It was so easy for me to believe that life as I knew it was just how everything affected me and me only, and that the entirety of life was solely what I perceived. But let me tell you what’s worthwhile.
What’s worthwhile was being able to immerse myself in a different culture, hearing the diverse journeys of lives scattered across the globe. It’s letting yourself fully experience a different way of life. Learning to let go of the lifestyles we are accustomed to and being able to open a new world of things you never knew existed.
I’m not going to lie and tell you it’s always easy or pretty, in fact most of the times it’s neither and I’ve surely had my fair share of mental breakdowns. But the look on people’s faces when they envision their magical idea of America is something that sticks with you for a lifetime. Its these little intrinsic moments in life that make you wonder what little chance of fate separated you from the person struggling in the country with no opportunity.
To whomever is reading this, take your travels for everything that they are. Don’t miss a second, remember every feeling. Be present. Be aware. Be receptive…there’s a reason you are able to take the opportunity to learn so much while you are young, don’t let it go to waste.
Simron H. is the Fall 2016 CEA MOJO in the French Riviera, France. She is currently a sophomore studying Business at the University of Arizona.
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| St. Stephan's Basilica at sunset |
It was so easy for me to believe that life as I knew it was just how everything affected me and me only, and that the entirety of life was solely what I perceived. But let me tell you what’s worthwhile.
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| Watching the sunset over the coast of Italy |
What’s worthwhile was being able to immerse myself in a different culture, hearing the diverse journeys of lives scattered across the globe. It’s letting yourself fully experience a different way of life. Learning to let go of the lifestyles we are accustomed to and being able to open a new world of things you never knew existed.
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| Hungarian Parliament Building at night |
I’m not going to lie and tell you it’s always easy or pretty, in fact most of the times it’s neither and I’ve surely had my fair share of mental breakdowns. But the look on people’s faces when they envision their magical idea of America is something that sticks with you for a lifetime. Its these little intrinsic moments in life that make you wonder what little chance of fate separated you from the person struggling in the country with no opportunity.
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| Hiking the alps in the Czech Republic, The Chronicles of Narnia was filmed here! |
To whomever is reading this, take your travels for everything that they are. Don’t miss a second, remember every feeling. Be present. Be aware. Be receptive…there’s a reason you are able to take the opportunity to learn so much while you are young, don’t let it go to waste.
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| Morocco, Africa |
Simron H. is the Fall 2016 CEA MOJO in the French Riviera, France. She is currently a sophomore studying Business at the University of Arizona.