6 months, 6 continents, many more countries, and countless memories.
2017 is going to be defined by my world trip, solo backpacking from South America to Europe to Iceland, Africa, the Middle East and Oceania and Asia. I've taken some time to think about what I want to do in life, why I am in college, why I am paying thousands for a degree and what this means to me. I realized, I don't know. I know WHAT I want to do, but do I know who I am or why getting a degree is the route I need to take. Since I was three I have been in school every year. I was in pre-school, Kindergarten and had 5 years of lower school; followed by 3 years of middle school; then 4 more of high school and all of that time, especially high school, was spent working hard and getting "good" grades so I could get into a good school for University. Now here I am a second-year student at the University of British Colombia and I would like to call some BS on the education system.
Why do we spend so many thousands of dollars and years of mental stress to work students as hard as they can, so they struggle to get the grades they feel they need to be accepted into MORE school. Are professors attempting to make students feel worthless and stressed and exhausted or are those simply the benefits we get from attempting to hold a full term of classes and working and somehow maintaining a social life. First you have high school then college and university, then you've got the opportunity to get a masters then you've got the to figure out a PHD or another masters. Then after spending all of your life in education they throw you to the curb to figure out the rest of life. And when do you get to do what you want, without the fear of missing out on what someone else is doing or on some assignment, or stressing about how to pay for rent and bills, I don't know.
Who told us we need a college degree? Society, our teachers, CEO's, I dont know, but I also know that a college degree is not a measurement of ability? Why do put ourselves on this track that never seems to end, without giving ourselves breathing space to explore? No mom and dad this is not me saying I am dropping out, this is me questioning the worthiness of all the money you have paid in my tuition and taking the time to be sure I am spending all these years headed in the right direction. Is this what I want to do forever and is this the way to get there?
And so, my solution? To leave and to travel. Starting in January, I am headed by myself to first Chile, a second home, and then from there, everywhere, to see what else is out there in the world. I want to hike and to dance and eat while listening to every language. I want to smell spices that I've never tried, and make friendships that only come from traveling together.
I also can't wait to have other friends visit throughout my trip, and reconnect with people all over the globe. I do not have a daily plan, however, I have booked the intercontinental flights. It is my goal to find a way to and from one airport to the next somewhere else in the world and the means for how that is happening are yet to be determined. I will be updating this blog as I plan and travel whenever I find wifi, with photos and stories and making sure to alert you all that I am still alive and doing well.
