I have been to the other side and seen what they have to offer. In the last 142 days I have traveled to 15 countries (United States, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Czech Republic, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Morocco, Portugal, Ireland, United Kingdom, and France) and over 30 cities. I have traveled with groups as large as 20 people and I have traveled by myself. I have taken planes, trains, cars, buses, taxis, boats, and my own two feet. I have stayed in hostels with 12 people in a room sharing one bathroom and I have stayed in 5 star hotels. I have seen famous tourist attractions in exciting, bustling cities and gazed upon some of the most scenic landscapes in the world. I have communicated with locals in other languages, been unable to communicate with people due to language barriers, and been unable to communicate with people speaking English (thank you Irish countryside). I have experienced hot days in which I sweat just from walking outside and cold days where I wish I had brought that extra warm Chicago-style winter jacket. I have basked in the sun and withstood torrential rainstorms. I have met so many new people, as well as travel with old friends. I have used 5 different currencies (Dollar, Euro, Moroccan Dirham, Hungarian Firenze, Czech Republic Koruna, British Sterling Pound). I have tasted local food that I have never heard of, and probably still cannot tell you what it is. I have experienced breadth first and depth first cultural immersion.
Wow. I am sure that is many peoples’ reaction to reading that paragraph…it was just mine as I reread it. As I sit at my desk in Wilmette this experience seems even more surreal than while I was taking part in all of these adventures. It is probably impossible for me to describe the sensation of reflecting on an experience like this, unless you have partaken in a similar adventure. Therefore, instead of trying, I will answer some of the questions I have already gotten and some questions I have been asking myself.
What is your favorite city/ country?
This is surprisingly difficult to answer. Everywhere is just so incredibly different. As I was talking to my Grandparents last night I realized that there was really nowhere that I went that I truly did not like- I would recommend everywhere. There are, obviously, some places I like more than others. I thought that Salzburg was the most beautiful city I have ever been to- then I went to Ireland and Scotland. I still think Salzburg is more serene and would love to go back there, but the scenic award has to be a toss-up between these three. I was incredibly impressed with Munich and would like to go back there, as well. Prague was beautiful, but felt very touristy. I think Budapest and Bratislava felt like Prague might have been 15 years ago, so I liked them, too. Morocco was so incredibly different that I would highly recommend that, as well. I also thought Edinburgh and Dublin were great cities, for very different reasons.
Have you changed/ are you a different person?
This question is surprisingly easy to answer, but I actually think they are two different questions. To the first part: yes. How could you not? I have seen things, learned things, and lived life for the past 5 months in a very different way than I have before. I have not even been home for a day yet and already notice little things that I look at differently/ do differently. However, the answer to the second part of the question is a definitive no. I described in my halfway post that I feel very grounded in my roots and was not someone who went abroad looking to become a new and independent person. Unfortunately you will all be stuck with the same old Josh, for the most part.
When do you think you will go back? Where to?
I would obviously like to go back to Europe sooner than later, especially Barcelona. I loved that city and really felt that it was my home for the duration of my stay in Europe. I would also like to go back to Salzburg (for a different type of vacation), Munich, the UK, Ireland, and to some other places in Europe that I did not make it to (Poland, Berlin, Scandinavia, parts of Spain). Before that, however, there are some other parts of the world that I would like investigate. I think my experience when I go back to a lot of these places will be very different than when I was there the first time. I will not be a student backpacking through Europe with friends from across the US in the same situation. It will be very interesting to see.
What have you learned?
There is the obvious answer to that question: better Spanish, and the not so obvious one. I think one of the biggest things was something I already prided myself on: independence. This is something I have always thought was one of my strengths, and it truly blossomed being abroad. Independence at home and independence in Europe are two very different concepts, I learned. While abroad I was the one making all of the reservations, not my parents, I was the one printing confirmations, deciding where/ when to eat, cooking for myself, etc. This independence showed itself in different ways. I was able to plan an 11 day trip for 19 people traveling throughout Europe. I was able to figure out situations when there was a problem with a flight or a hotel reservation. I was able to arrive by myself in a city I have never been to and never heard anything about and have an incredible experience. This rapid-fire lifestyle of newness that surrounded me was what truly enabled this self-sufficiency and leadership ability (I hate that cliché phrase) to blossom.
I cannot recommend going abroad for a semester/year highly enough. I understand it is not right for everyone, but if you consider for a moment that you would enjoy it just do it. It will be the most rewarding experience of your life.
Thank you all so much for reading my blogs. I know they are quite long at times, but I hope they at least gave you an incite into my accomplishments, feelings, and life throughout this awesome endeavor. Perhaps it allowed you to live vicariously, reflect on your own experiences, give you an excuse to procrastinate, or a quick laugh. At the end of the day, to be blunt, I have kept this journal for myself. However, it still made me so happy every time someone told me they were reading. May you all have as incredible of an experience.
Never forget: “Home is where you are understood.” That now has new meaning to me.
Adeu.
No comments:
Post a Comment