Explorations
I've gathered some of my favorite travel memories to share with you
Travel
Travel for me is more than vacation. Travel is gaining perspective and growing into the best person I can become.
Barcelona, Spain
While studying in Barcelona, I met students from 17 different countries that I now call some of my best friends. Each brought their own language, customs, and perspective. What started with small talk and google translate soon turned into lasting friendships that stretched across continates, from Egypt to Italy, Sweden to Brazil, and everywhere in between. Sharing meals, stories, and day-to-day life with people from so many cultures made me realize how much we all have in common, even when our worlds look so different. These relationships didn't just expand my understanding of the world, they deepened my desire to be a part of it, to engage with it fully, and to keep learning directly from the people who live in it.
Powder Term, CO
Powder Term wasn't just about skiing, it was about learning to be present, challenged, and part of being a community in motion. During my 8th grade year, I withdrew from my normal school setting for six weeks to live in Purgatory, CO and become an expert skier. We would spend the mornings doing our academic work independently, and in the afternoons we would go out on the mountain together for instructed skiing. The program was very bare bones, and we were not allowed to have phones or frequent communication with our friends and families at home. We formed deep relationships with one another and grew into a real community formed around overcoming fears, dealing with discomfort and staying present with the people who were challenging us and pushing us further.
West Texas
.While some destinations are just hours from home, they can feel like a world away. West Texas, including Big Bend National Park, was one such place. I traveled there for a week with my mother and siblings, and we never spent more than one night in the same place. We rode horses through rugged terrain, kayaked the Rio Grande, slept under the stars and saw the planets in all their glory at the McDonald Observatory. We hiked through the park and came within feet of some of the most majestic animals I've seen in the wild. The beauty was unmatched, the experience surreal. It gave me a new appreciation, not only for the beauty and wonder of our natural world, but also the power of experiencing it with the people you love to the most. It was an adventure I will never forget.
St. Petersburg, Russia
Russia is one of the most intriguing countries on the world's stage, and I was lucky enough to travel there with my family during fifth grade. Looking up to see the hammer and sickle on buildings as we passed reminded me of the history of the Soviet Union and the relics that remain, even today. We explored art and culture, engaging with people who had lived all their lives in Russia. St. Petersburg is more western that other parts of Russia, and one day I hope to visit Moscow, as well.
Helsinki, Finland
Finland was one of the most culturally rich places I have visited in Europe. I will forever carry vivid memories of the fresh salmon cooked on wooden planks by the ocean at the open air market. The churches we visited were rich in history with beautiful designs. Finland fascinates me for the modern culture and advancement of women. Their society has seen a decline in marriage rates because the government does such an excellent job caring for women and children with national healthcare and childcare programs. I look forward to returning to Finland as an adult and exploring ways we can export the best ideas from their culture to America.
Stolckhom, Sweeden
Sweden holds a special place in my heart, as it is the birthplace of my childhood best friend, Michele, and my favorite Au Pair, Alice. We were lucky enough to meet up with both when we visited Stockholm, so they could show us their country from their perspective. We saw all the traditional sights in Stockholm, but one thing that stood out to me was a visit to McDonald's. In Sweden, McDonald's has healthy food. Sweet potato fries with delicious aioli and excellent fish meals. I'm excited about the change that's underway in the United States to hold food manufacturers to a higher standard, and we can take much inspiration and encouragement from places like Europe.