I once saw a quote that went something like, “you will never understand the true meaning of your life until you travel and experience how others are living theirs.” Reflecting on my study abroad experience, this rings so true for me. How do we define the meaning of our lives? I used to think the meaning of my life was limited because I felt like my opportunities were limited as well. Growing up with financial struggles, I didn’t think the world was open to me in the same way it was for others with more resources. I felt limited and my world sometimes felt small. How wrong I was! In Colombia, I was able to do so many fulfilling things that poured so much meaning into my life: I taught English to high schoolers, helped a local neighborhood facilitate Saturday activities for kids and I contributed to the realm of research in Political Science and International Relations. In doing so, I engaged in a cultural exchange between our countries that will have the effect of increasing understanding and interest between American and Colombians. Now that’s empowering! Travel helped me discover the limitless meaning my life could have, though the ability to live a meaningful life has been in me all along, just like it's in you.
“The more I traveled the more I realized that fear makes strangers of people who should be friends.” – Shirley MacLaine
This quote also relates so much to me and my experience here. First, I think about the fear I had to overcome to get here. Before I came to Colombia, I had a lot of questions. Is my Spanish good enough? Will the cultural differences be too much to handle? I think about how if I hadn’t overcome these fears, I wouldn’t have met the incredible friends I met here.
