Over the summer of 2009 I was lucky enough to travel overseas with a student ambassador group called People to People.
For someone like me, who is completely infatuated with world cultures … this trip would be extraordinary. The trip itself was something that changed my life.
Amsterdam is a beautiful place: the flowers, people and foods are uniquely Dutch. The city is full of exciting architecture and one of the oldest courtyards in Europe dating back to the 1500s. Another memorable moment for me was in France.
We were all on the bus on our way to the Eiffel Tower when I realized there were no lanes on the road. It was a mass rat race. Smart cars swerved in between scooters and sedans while our massive bus was stuck in a roundabout. While in France, I highly recommend traveling on foot; just keep watch for crazy motorcyclists.
Normandy was the most inspirational visit of the whole trip. The idea that so few decades ago men of all ages were standing on the exact land as me was chilling. These men were bloodied, wounded, and fighting in WWII. The sea had its normal, sinuous flow. The breeze had its light, airy sweeps. The sky was bright and beautiful. Looking at the cemetery for all of the lost men on D-day silenced the group and brought us to tears. It was a place where an American can truly understand the idea of freedom and patriotism, where we could all unite and cherish our heroes.
Traveling overseas was an experience that changed me forever. The world is really a playground for the curious.
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