We’ve all heard someone say, “I’ll do it someday.”
Whether we’ve heard someone else say the phrase or have uttered the words ourselves, the phrase is far from foreign to us. With 2016 thrown at us quicker than a record-breaking baseball pitch, it’s time to realize that we may never have that “someday” we speak of. Our everyday lives consume us completely and leave us in a seemingly unbreakable routine.
I say: no more! 2016 is the year for you and I both to break the unbreakable and make someday, today.
While everyone probably had something in mind while reading above, for me specifically, I think of travel. More often than not, whether I’m in a coffee shop (probably Starbucks, basic, I know) or getting a mani-pedi (even MORE basic, I know), I constantly overhear people chatting about that vacation they hope to take when they land their dream job, when they graduate from college, or when they settle down for retirement.
These words make me cringe.
I believe people become stuck in a routine, wait for perfect timing or a raise in their salary, or simply don’t realize the benefits of travel. But these times may never come. So it’s time to sit back, relax and enjoy the flight.
My experience with travel has had unforeseen effects on my life. With one brisk decision, my eyes were opened to an entirely different world—one of various colors, cultures, experiences and landscapes. During my parent’s divorce back in 2013 and summer vacation impending in the distance, I knew I didn’t want to be home. So I decided, what better to do than take a vacation?
I settled the deal with my parents and headed to Costa Rica in August of 2013. Little did I know, the decision I thought would resemble a vacation was quite the opposite: a numinous, beautifully rustic journey. From that moment forward, travel was no longer an “I’ll do it someday” on my bucket list, but a “do it now.”
I hop on every chance to travel. I have been extremely lucky and spoiled with opportunity since my mom happens to be a travel agent. Nevertheless, travel opens the door to a world unfamiliar. It enriches us with moments that we can treasure. We have one life to experience and live, and the best way is through travel. Since that life-changing August, I have been to over eight countries and plan to visit four more in 2016.
Each new place offers a new perspective, adds a piece of the culture to me and leaves a little piece of me behind. Building memories through travel is like leaving your footprints in sand—although you may not be present, a part of you will always be there. Unlike our material goods, memories cannot be broken or grown tired of in age. We live to retell our past, our feelings and our experiences. Travel not only creates memories that last a lifetime, but also strengthens bonds with those we travel with and builds bonds with those we meet on our journey.
Knowing how important travel can be and what benefits it can bring to your life, there’s no better time than the present.
College students may think school, work or money gets in the way. But this is the year to clear your schedules and introduce yourself to a new culture through travel.
I know it’s not always easy, but lucky for us, there are so many options to make sure we can see the world as soon as possible. Don’t buy that cool t-shirt and instead save those extra dollars, collect coupons, look for deals and find opportunities.
Hostels are always an option, along with abroad internships and study abroad. Since I, and many others at Lehigh, have a jam-packed schedule, summer term study abroad is the perfect fit for many. It has always been important for me to experience travelling alone for months at a time and luckily, I was able to find a program that will fit my needs and schedule for my college experience. Although it can be intimidating, I know the wisdom, memories, connections and marvel that waits on the other side is worth the nerves.
Travel now, and don’t wait for “someday” to roll around.
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Danielle Campbell, ’18, is an assistant visuals editor for The Brown and White. She can be reached at [email protected].
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