That was the longest train ride that I have ever taken, but it was definitely the most enjoyable. I loved looking out the windows and seeing the landscape change as we went further west.
Being able to travel so much at a young age made me want to continue. I saw that the world was a lot bigger than I had thought, and I loved learning about people and their cultures. I decided to major in Spanish in college because of my interest in getting to know individuals and communities on a deeper level. I believe that learning another language opens up doors of possibilities to connect with the people of the world. It is the perfect way for people to find something in common with one other.
As a Spanish major, I got the opportunity to study abroad in Latin America for the very first time while I was in school. I lived with a family of seven in a small town in Nicaragua. By the end of the program, I was almost fluent in Spanish. Not only did I gain an understanding of another language, but I also became part of a family that welcomed me into their home. Because we all spoke Spanish, we were able to get to know one another and share each other's stories. As my host family taught me about their culture and the history of their country, I was able to return the favor and share a part of me with them. To this day, we still write to each other about what is going on in our lives. They are like a second family to me.
After I graduated, I decided to take a trip by myself to Cuba. I felt confident about my Spanish speaking skills, and my experience abroad in Nicaragua helped me feel comfortable with traveling alone in Latin America. I don't think I would have ever gone on this trip if I hadn't studied abroad before.
