As an upcoming Senior, my class trip to China is coming up very quickly - in exactly two weeks, we'll be on a plane to Beijing. I'm sure I speak for most of my class in saying that I am both excited and nervous at the same time. Dr. Hua has prepared us very well for our trip, but a lot of questions still remain.
I am reminded during this lame duck period between finals time and flight time of my past experiences traveling. After last semester's trip to Greece, I have learned a thing or two about travel. A few of these things were logical enough - pack more socks than you need, hold onto your passport like your life depends on it (to some degree it might!), get all of your immunizations of time - but a few require a slightly longer look to see clearly.
One of those important, subtle lessons that I feel is worth sharing is this - don't let your expectations of travel define your trip. Going to Athens in August of last year, it would have been easy to see the Acropolis, the Plaka, and the various touristic areas (indeed, I did!). Those are the things everyone expects to see and do. These fit well into my preconceived notions of what a trip to Greece should look like. But the most satisfying experiences were the ones that don't make good blog posts or photographs, that people back home probably won't be as interested in hearing about. I never expected to find myself sketching a Venetian cannon in Akrocorinth, wandering Naxos island at night, or eating snails with a sailor named Stavros. But these are some of my most treasured memories - the ones I'll remind myself of over and over again as I continue my travels.
Through such unexpected experiences, I not only came out of my comfort bubble, I expanded it. I found a perspective that isn't that of a 21 year old Kentucky student. I started, in some infinitesimal ways, to see Greece as the people are now, from my own experiences rather than from a guidebook or a history lesson .
I believe these things are important for far more than just those of us going abroad this summer - they can be turned inward and outward in your own living room! A fresh look at things, from a slightly different perspective, will reveal a dozen things you never knew before. Try looking at Louisville from a visitor's perspective - really SEE the beautiful old houses instead of simply glancing at them, really savor some sweet tea or a hot brown like you've never had them before. If you can master the art of traveling in your own neighborhood, you'll never find yourself bored again.
-Charley Helms
I am reminded during this lame duck period between finals time and flight time of my past experiences traveling. After last semester's trip to Greece, I have learned a thing or two about travel. A few of these things were logical enough - pack more socks than you need, hold onto your passport like your life depends on it (to some degree it might!), get all of your immunizations of time - but a few require a slightly longer look to see clearly.
One of those important, subtle lessons that I feel is worth sharing is this - don't let your expectations of travel define your trip. Going to Athens in August of last year, it would have been easy to see the Acropolis, the Plaka, and the various touristic areas (indeed, I did!). Those are the things everyone expects to see and do. These fit well into my preconceived notions of what a trip to Greece should look like. But the most satisfying experiences were the ones that don't make good blog posts or photographs, that people back home probably won't be as interested in hearing about. I never expected to find myself sketching a Venetian cannon in Akrocorinth, wandering Naxos island at night, or eating snails with a sailor named Stavros. But these are some of my most treasured memories - the ones I'll remind myself of over and over again as I continue my travels.
Through such unexpected experiences, I not only came out of my comfort bubble, I expanded it. I found a perspective that isn't that of a 21 year old Kentucky student. I started, in some infinitesimal ways, to see Greece as the people are now, from my own experiences rather than from a guidebook or a history lesson .
I believe these things are important for far more than just those of us going abroad this summer - they can be turned inward and outward in your own living room! A fresh look at things, from a slightly different perspective, will reveal a dozen things you never knew before. Try looking at Louisville from a visitor's perspective - really SEE the beautiful old houses instead of simply glancing at them, really savor some sweet tea or a hot brown like you've never had them before. If you can master the art of traveling in your own neighborhood, you'll never find yourself bored again.
-Charley Helms