Why I Go Abroad!

This entry is for the GoAbroad "Why You Go Abroad"challenge!
(http://www.goabroad.com/blog/2011/11/15/goabroad-giveaway-goabroad/)


GoAbroad has lots of great information about traveling out of the country, including an awesome section on volunteering abroad (details here: http://www.goabroad.com/volunteer-abroad) 

Why I Go Abroad:


To learn
To play
To explore
To be humbled
To understand who I am
To understand where I come from
To meet new friends
To learn
To see something new
To see the same things in a new way
To eat food...lots of delicious food
To experience a culture different then mine
To take a break from my 'everyday'
To figure out what I miss most
To learn
To break down stereotypes
To teach others
To share 
To see places I've only read about in books
To have new adventures
To take risks
To learn, always to keep learning.


 “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.” - Mark Twain

This blog is about my five month experience studying abroad in Ecuador during the fall of 2011. In addition to Ecuador I’ve also spent five months studying in New Zealand as well as spending time in England, Mexico, Peru, Greece, the Bahamas, Australia, and the Cook Islands. The more I travel the more I want to keep traveling. India, Antarctica, Chile, Tanzania, Ghana, and Thailand are the top places that I’d like to explore next. I go abroad because every experience is different and presents new adventures and new challenges. The Master’s program I’m currently in has allowed me to take classes in intercultural communication and international studies, which has really heightened my travel experiences. No longer do I travel just to see new lands but also to learn about the people; to have meaningful conversations about culture, diversity, wealth, politics, and opportunity; to open my eyes and my mind just a little bit more. As I mentioned above – the biggest reason I go abroad is to learn. 

Inca Trail, Peru 2011