gottacaseofwanderlust

Growing up as an adopted Chinese immigrant, all I wanted was to be someone else. This meant being White like most of the other kids I went to school with. My insecurities about my identity were reflected in the shame I felt toward my heritage and the subsequent isolation I experienced from my classmates. I did not feel like I belonged in my predominantly White hometown or any Chinese groups in my community. As a form of escape, I found refuge in books.  

The stories of far-off lands and daring adventures within the countless novels I consumed put me in the main character’s shoes. I could pretend that I was somebody else within the pages of text. There was nothing I dreamed of more than to transport myself into these exciting destinations and live the life of someone confident in themself. I decided that this is how I wanted to live my life — exploring the world. 

Flash forward to the present: I am in my 2nd year of college studying journalism, and I now embrace the diversity in myself and others. I am proud of who I am; but while my insecurities and social anxieties have faded, my desire to travel has never ceased. 

The thought of experiencing as many places on Earth as I can and meeting people across all different cultures ignites my soul, in a passionate flame like no other. 

My determination to travel has motivated me to save my money from working part-time jobs and embark on my own adventures. 

I traveled to 8 new countries by myself this past summer: 1 week in South Korea and a little over 1-month backpacking trip throughout Europe.   

Immersing myself in unknown environments and navigating foreign cultures not only deepened my awareness and appreciation for diversity but also stimulated profound personal growth and confidence. 

I learned how to step out of my comfort zone, how to be independent, and how to enjoy my own company; along the way, I made connections with other travelers from all over the world, gained more insight about myself, and created memories that I will cherish for a lifetime — I truly felt like the main character in my childhood novels. 

These trips have only fueled my travel ambitions, and I intend to participate in as many study-abroad experiences as financially possible. My finances are my greatest limiting factor with studying abroad, as I am reliant upon my personal savings and loans, which is why any amount of scholarship aid would be significant. 

I believe that studying abroad will enrich my education in a more impactful way than staying inside a classroom because it will provide more hands-on experience, a global perspective on my studies, and a firsthand account of the information that I learn about. 

Finally, I intend to fully take advantage of my time while abroad by immersing myself in the local culture, participating in any customs and traditions, and using the language to the best of my ability. Through cultural immersion, I will bring a greater sense of open-mindedness and cultural awareness back home and in future academic or work opportunities. 

The world is a fascinating place that I wish to discover all facets of. I am so grateful for my travels so far, and I am excited about what the future holds. Travel is no longer a means of escaping reality — now, traveling means living reality to its fullest.