Hands Down-THE BEST

This experience was hands down one of the best experiences of my life. I traveled to England with 7 strangers, and we all left as 7 great friends! England helped me grow as an individual and as a teacher. I remember our professors (Kate and Dave) telling us, "Now, you can sit in any classroom and learn, but there is only one way to truly learn. Get out and explore! Find out what this world as to offer... so why are you still sitting in our room...go explore...go...I mean it...go!!!" Those words are words that I live by today. Each day we made our own adventures whether that was going to downtown Brighton, exploring Paris for three days, or going to Bath, we made the most of our trip.

There is so much I want to tell you about how amazing this trip was from the fish and chips (I still crave these) to the friendly people helping us navigate public transportation to the intricate architecture to the delicious Paris crepes....I could go on forever. The world was waiting outside our dorm room doors and just waiting for us to explore!

When I was heading home at the end of July in 2014, excitement set in when I realized that my family would be waiting for me at the airport. After showing my family all the pictures, telling them all the stories, and giving them their gifts, my joy wore off. It hit me; I was back to reality. Within only a few days, I already missed the adventure and the adrenaline rush I felt each day the past three weeks. Each day a new adventure was waiting for us to discover. Now, back in my hometown, living the daily life again, I realize there is no European adventure waiting for me when I wake up but there is something I can discover each day whether that is within others or myself. Not being able to explain my experience is one challenge I still have. So many people have asked me about my trip, and I just simply reply, “It was amazing! Nothing like I could have ever imagined.” Showing my family and friends pictures and telling them stories may help them understand a little bit of my experience, but I know that no word I say or image I show them will help them fully understand the whole experience. Something changed in me. Something made me realize the little joys in life, the feeling that everything will be okay, the sense that there is more than one way to reach a goal, and the independence and strength I have had in myself all along.

There is no better experience than studying abroad especially in England. You will learn how life in England is much more laid back; people take life as it comes. In parks, people are not on their phones, but instead they are enjoying each other's company. You will learn how things that may be different from how you do something is not wrong but just different (example: driving on the left side of the road, using pounds instead of dollars, navigating public transportation). Last but not least, you will learn who you are as a person. I have no doubt in my mind that you will walk away from this experience a changed person. Trust me. You will.

As Kate and Dave would say, "Now, you can sit in any classroom and learn, but there is only one way to truly learn. Get out and explore! Find out what this world as to offer, so why are you still sitting in our room...go explore...go...I mean it...go!!!" (so why are you still reading this...go!) :)