“Much have I traveled in the realms of gold.” When John Keats read Chapman’s Homer, he felt as if he was actually traveling; I feel as if I am learning about myself. I have a passion for travel. Everywhere I have been has led me to a new and fulfilling discovery about myself and helped me develop into who I am today.
In Puerto Rico, every summer was spent with my cousins and grandparents, helping me to become fully bilingual and foster the love and closeness I feel for my family. In Atlanta, where I lived for five years, I learned how my love of the woods and animals in my neighborhood could help me develop into the active and caring person I am today. I realized that adventure and appreciation were essential in my life while white water rafting and horse back riding in the rain forests of Costa Rica-where there motto is “Pura Vida” meaning pure life. While in Rome I fully discovered my faith and pride in being a Catholic while still appreciating and respecting other religions.
When I moved to Miami, I discovered my love of culture and diversity; being able to relate to various groups of people lead to the development of my outgoing personality-while strong, not overbearing. While vacationing in Mexico we rented a car and drove through a rural area outside of Playa del Carmen where I saw villages made out of twigs and children barely clothed staring at a monkey playing in the trees; this realization that not all of the world is as fortunate as those in the U.S. led me to get involved in my community and help those in need. I’ve been volunteering at a soup kitchen downtown since then and go multiple times a month as well as building houses through Habitat for Humanity; this has helped me develop my compassion for others and my quest to make a difference in the future.
I realized the power and technology available today and discovered my dream of international business while in Hong Kong. Walking through Wall Street the awe I felt towards the way our nation functions led me to challenge myself academically and take classes that I know are difficult like AP Psychology and Calculus just to push myself. All my travels and my membership in National English Honor Society have sparked my interested in languages and I hope to learn Mandarin, Italian and French to expand my knowledge and be able to relate to more people around the world. My school has inspired camaraderie and pride in myself and colleagues, as a member of National Honor Society we part take in multiple service projects that help children in inner cities and raise money to help our students of financial aid- in an hour I raised over $800, proof that with determination anything can be accomplished.
On my multiple excursions I have been blessed and privileged. My world travels have led me to appreciate multiple cultures and take the best characteristics of each one and incorporate them into my life. The world truly is a realm of gold open for the expanse of knowledge and self discovery.
Dear Reader: This page may contain affiliate links which may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Our independent journalism is not influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative unless it is clearly marked as sponsored content. As travel products change, please be sure to reconfirm all details and stay up to date with current events to ensure a safe and successful trip.
