What is it that makes a trip official? The purchase of tickets, isn’t it? Flying is the action that starts and ends a trip, just like driving, cruising and riding the train. A real journey is the one that takes you so far that you don’t recognise anything as familiar. 

If we go to a new country, engage with the locals, try the foods, and ask for directions, we are in the process of learning and educating ourselves. If we go to an amazing resort and sit by the pool every morning we are just enjoying ourselves (and we need that too). 

People don’t see study abroad programs, volunteering opportunities, or gap years, as “living abroad”. They expect you to come “home” at some point. But once I’ve done all the things I’ve mentioned before, I’ve studied and I’ve paid bills in a country - I lived it. It became a part of me somehow. 

A well-played journey is the one that keeps you in the air, at airports, or on a bus transfer, for something like 12 to sometimes 30 hours; it’s the one that drives you crazy and makes you think it probably wasn’t worth it - but there you are, landing in a new country, arriving at the bus station, inserting the key in your new front door, and that’s when everything starts to make sense. At that point, it’s you facing your future and using your knowledge to make it through. You are going to suffer, to face new challenges, and to fall. But all of it will happen to teach you something and to possibly make you a stronger person.

I experienced something like that when I moved to the United Kingdom this past autumn. I thought I was going to have the perfect experience because I already lived in England once and I liked it. I made the mistake to compare my previous experience to the one that I was about to live: big mistake. Everything was different. I struggled to find a job, my class was smaller, I changed accommodation three times as I couldn't sleep because of the endless noise that surrounded me day and night, I didn't receive the support I thought I was going to get, and at that point I thought: Was it even worth it to invest all the money I did in an institution that doesn't support its students? No. Did I think about dropping out? Many times, but I didn't do it. I was eventually able to leave the dorms and see the positive side of the story: my class was nice, my teachers well prepared: it's going to be good to graduate. I am in a much better mental situation at the moment - I am still stressed about projects, future plans, and lack of fundings for all the things I have in mind, but that is all fixable with dedication and time. 

That said, where are you going next? Do you have any trip coming up? How are you thinking of facing the obstacles you might face during your journey? Let me know in a comment below!

- Cris