The best gift you can give yourself while you’re in college is to travel abroad if you get that opportunity. If I could do it all over again, I would! I had the best time of my life in a country where I never thought I’d have a chance to visit, especially without my family with me. I went to Beijing, China in 2011 and still remember everything like it was yesterday! Having an opportunity to engulf yourself in another culture other than the one you are used to will allow you to view the world through others' eyes. My journey to China was an experience I will hold dearly and never forget for the rest of my life. It taught me to learn balance, challenge myself with foods I couldn't eat and made me brave in tough times with a group of people I had the pleasure of calling friends. I still tell stories about my experience till this day! The two professors that went with us became my mentors and my roommate celebrated her birthday in our dorm! I encourage you to go to all the performances, see all the attractions, wander out to find hidden gems and try everything, I mean everything. Well, maybe not the fried silk worms or fried baby sea horses sold at the food markets. Keep your heart open and you'll get to meet amazing people who will show you a day in the life of their shoes and you bring back new perspectives to yourself.
“You will never experience personal growth, if you fear taking chances.” -T Sorensen