Thirteen days from now I’ll be on the way to Germany during my first international solo flight. Eighteen days from now I’ll be boarding the part-time cruise ship that’ll serve as a sort of home base for the following four months. This is a trip I’ve been hoping to partake in for a few years now and, for those of you who don’t know, it’s called Semester At Sea. I’ll be on the ship for about 2/3 of the trip, taking classes while we travel to our next port and I’ll have the chance to visit 11 countries across the world during the remaining 1/3 of the voyage.
Where am I going, exactly? Germany, Spain, Ghana, South Africa, Mauritius, India, Myanmar, Vietnam, China, Japan, and Hawaii (not it’s own country but it still warrants a spot in my opinion). I’ll explore the streets of Barcelona, revisiting places I went as a 15 year old first-timer in Europe, I’ll stay in a village learning all about Ghanaian life and culture, I’ll learn meditation from monks in Myanmar and visit a friend from home in Japan. Most of all, I’ll finally get to be a part of the global community in ways I couldn’t have imagined even a few years ago.
Right now, instead of packing or ordering books or doing any of the other things that I need to, I’m writing this post. Always the procrastinator, always the loose-planner, it’s difficult to find the right mix. I know that it isn’t the end of the world if I forget something but preparing is hard when there’s a small bit of worry that I might not bring the “one thing” I just won’t be able to survive without. My contacts, for example, are not something I’d prefer to leave in my bathroom cabinet in Ohio, only to realize in South Africa when I need a new pair.
When it comes down to it, I know things will all work out the way they’re meant to. I’m just beyond excited to meet people from (literally!) around the world whether it’s on the ship or on the streets of markets or in temples and museums.
It is my goal to write about each place that I visit, not only in summary but also in reflection. I want to enjoy every aspect of this journey, from the insta-worthy pictures and postcards home to deeper cultural understanding and religious appreciation. That is why I plan to make two posts for each country, one to chronicle the details of my activities and interactions, and one about the most important thing I take away from said country.
Truth be told, this is a sort of public diary, finding-myself-along-the-way kind of deal. I want everyone to be able to hear about my experiences in hopes that more people will be inspired to travel and indulge in all of the amazing opportunities this great big world has to offer.
So, if you’re still reading, get ready to follow me through the most eye-opening, crazy, spectacular ride of my 19 year old life!
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