Hi, I'm Stephen, and there are three main reasons I am studying abroad. To begin, as a child I loved maps and globes and always wanted to travel. Second, my philosophy is that you should always push yourself to work towards your goals and try new things! And third, my experience after my senior year solidified my desire to travel and seek new experiences.
Since I was young, I always dreamed of visiting other countries and traveling the world. When I first learned about pandas, polar bears and tigers, I wanted to actually visit these animals' native habitats. When I read about the ancient Egyptians building the pyramids or the Romans building the Colosseum in history class, I wanted to see these wonders in Egypt and Rome myself!
I am excited to be studying abroad because I believe in seeking discomfort. Most people go through their lives and rarely challenge themselves to face their fears, pursue a passion or meet and discover new people or places. Even if it may seem scary or intimidating, I think that putting yourself in an uncomfortable situation can be a fantastic learning experience.
