If I had stayed a shorter time, I would have missed so many opportunities and missed out on valuable skills and lessons from my surroundings and companions.I've also overcome so many challenges that make the things that used to worry me so much feel small now. From my arrival, suddently having to navigate the biggest city i've ever seen without a phone, learning Japanese hospital etiquette after getting a severe ear infection, learning which stores are best for medicine or cleaning supplies, setting up bank and rent payments in a foreign language, organizing trips with others, worrying about money and budgeting, fighting homesickness, dodging humongous hornets, surviving subtropical humidity, and missing small things like the smell of pine needles or the bold tastes of American food, and more. I also return with much bigger dreams and capabilities. For the first time, I realize I can live and do almost anything anywhere I wish. Who knows what's next in store, but I know that I will never stop exploring and that I've been forever changed.I've gotten much from being a Reach The World traveler as well. This is my first time creating weekly content and working alongside a publishing team, and though it's been challenging sometimes with my classes, it has rekindled my love for storytelling and inspired me to put aside time for my creative passions like writing and drawing. This program gave me a reflective and sensitive mindset, as well as a greater appreciation for my daily life that I wouldn't have gained otherwise.I'm so grateful, I couldn't have done any of this without the help of scholarships and family support.
