Reflection on Studying Abroad by Calvin Griffith

Next semester I am traveling to Costa Rica to study there for three and a half months. I am not entirely sure why I picked Costa Rica. When I decided to study abroad, I basically had the whole world at my disposal; I could go anywhere I wanted to. I asked my Aunt what the most beautiful place in the world is, because she travels a lot, and she told me it is Costa Rica. This might not seem like reason enough to you, but to me it was enough. I like to surf, although I am not that good at it, so that aspect of Costa Rica appealed to me. Additionally, I love beautiful beaches and clear water and warm weather (who doesn't). Anyway, I decided to go to Costa Rica in the Spring and, in all honesty, I am somewhat freaked out. I know that I will have an amazing time, that is a given. It's the idea of leaving everything I've ever known, all my friends, my family, my home, and everything that I find comfort in that scares me. I don't know anyone in Costa Rica, they speak a different language which I do not speak, and I am going for a very extended period of time. So I guess I am fully excited and scared at the same time. Well, actually I'm more excited than I am scared, but you get the picture. I guess the reason I'm going to Costa Rica, or studying abroad at all, is to at least try to experience what life has to offer. I have done a little traveling before, mostly with my family, but I have never been of the age to really appreciate it, until now. When faced with the possibility of studying abroad, I realized that it would be foolish for me not to take advantage of such an amazing opportunity to experience life in another culture. Sure, I will miss everyone here, the friends I have come to know and love, and I do feel a little bit like I am deserting some of them, but the truth is, if any of those friendships are worth anything, they will last. Everyone is going to have to move on after graduation and if friendships can't survive that, then what use are they. So, despite feelings of desertion, I feel obligated to take this opportunity to experience a little bit more of the world. I fully expect this to change my life. People say that you discover who you really are when you travel. When you find yourself completely outside of your comfort level and without anything or anyone to turn to for support, you find out more about yourself than you ever knew. I am looking forward to that. I'm ready to go find myself, I just have to finish exams first.