International Exploration

Geysir outside of Reykjavik, Iceland 2015

The influential impact of traveling the world is unfathomable, since you’re exposed to territory outside your comfort zone. This exposure leads you to make new connections to the people, places and culture. The opportunities that come from those connections made will last you a lifetime. I’ve been extremely fortunate and privileged to have the ability to traveling to Iceland, France, Hungary, Austria, and all over the United States.

Vienna, Austria 2017

When I was in eighth grade my family took a trip to Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland. That trip was the very first time I had ever traveled outside of the United States and it really opened my eyes to how much is out there, apart from the USA.

The next adventure I took was when my best friend invited me on a vacation to Budapest, Hungary the summer after I turned 16. Going to mainland Europe was a huge milestone for me, since I had only ever been to Iceland which is entirely different than the rest of the continent. I learned a little bit of Hungarian, visited several cities in Hungary, and even swam in Hungarys’ largest body of water Lake Balaton. We even took a train to Austria and spend the day exploring Vienna, where I took this picture.

These milestones have lead me to where I am now and give me a greater appreciation for the world around me. The knowledge I’ve gained from traveling has been the most impactful part of my life, more than any school curriculum or internship. Traveling has also helped me pick up languages and practice the language I’ve been trying to master since 12 y/o, French!