I believe in the power and importance of travel and breeding new experiences. Experience, rather it is good, bad, fun, exciting, strange, or scary, is always new and it is always unique to that individual. From experience one learns, grows, and advances their thinking; it can come from anywhere, be derived from anything, and produce results that are life changing.
I grew up in a manner believed by most to be out of the ordinary. Both my parents worked for environmental protection and awareness and traveled often, fortunately for me, I was able to accompany them. By the age of ten I had been to four of the seven continents, even living in Palau, Micronesia for some of my fourth grade year. By age 19 I had been to all but Antarctica. I had done things and seen places that made it very hard to relate to my peers. I grew conflicted over my unusual upbringing, feeling as though I was far more complex internally than I wanted to be. My experiences had set me apart, yet they had shaped me in a way so profound I have yet to fully understand their meaning. These experiences are invaluable to me.
I wish, as a future teacher, that I could compile every student in America and take them on a trip. A trip anywhere, as long as it was outside of their comfort zone. Through these experiences, I would hope that the children would realize how values, morals, and emotions are universal traits shared among all people of all backgrounds; realize how hatred and fear are learned and resultant from the dying of innocence; realize that there is more to the world than where they were born, but also realize that it is ok to love and appreciate home. From this, so much I would hope for, so much experience I would want to give to these children.
I will forever believe that travel and new experiences, conducted with open mindedness by the youth of today, could earnestly lead to the peace of tomorrow. I will never stop having faith in this power, I will never consider myself anything but a wanderer at heart, and I will always believe in the influence of youth. My principle lies in the words of Sir Francis Bacon, “travel, in the younger sort, is part of education; in the elder, a part of experience.” So I encourage all- get out there, try something new, get your feet wet, and appreciate every moment. This I beleive.
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It is so interesting to hear about your past experience. As an adult I wish I had that experience growing up. I love how you are taking the underlying lessons you learned from this and seeking ways to create the same lessons in your classroom. I think your personal story is going to be a great motivation for your students, inspiring others to travel and experience new things. I have one last question. Have you made it to Antartica? I have the goal to travel to every continent. At first I said every one but Antartica, but now I'm thinking you never know what the world has in stored for me. I want to see if you have been there and what it is like.
ReplyDeleteDr. M
I have not been to Antartica! I would love to go but after going to New Zealand and hearing about the "point of no return" I got kinda freaked out. haha.
ReplyDeletePerhaps later in life.