When I got my acceptance letter from People to People my heart stopped for a second. I would’ve never expected to get the chance to go abroad. The year before my cousin had gotten accepted to go to Great Britain. Learning that, it gave me some hope that I would be able to travel abroad like her. That letter was a miracle. I had the opportunity of a lifetime in my hands.

I was going to Australia, the land down under as they say. I could not stop thinking about it. Everything was running through my head; who was going on the trip, what was I going to wear, would I be able to afford it. Time slowly went by and when it was almost a month away from flying out, I was ready. The only thing that worried me was making friends because I didn’t know anyone on the trip. A month turned into a couple of weeks away. I was already packing my bag.

Those 13 hours or so felt like forever. I just wanted to be in Sydney already. When we finally touched down in Australia it was unbelievable. I couldn’t believe that I was now overseas and in a completely new place.

We got to do just about everything in eastern Australia. We went to the Sydney Opera House and do the Darling Harbor boat tour. In Canberra, we got to see the parliament house and learn about the two separate houses within it. I even saw a herd of kangaroo at one of the hotels playgrounds! Though I did many amazing things while there, the greatest part of the trip in my opinion was snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef. I had taken some amazing pictures of it, but I lost the disposable camera and I think it floated away. All together the trip was amazing. I am so lucky and grateful that I got to do this. I hope that one day I can come back and see more.

People rarely get the opportunity to go on such a trip. I know some that have never left the state or even their hometown. Australia was a great experience. I learned a lot. I was the only person from my small hometown going on the trip so I had to make new friends. I still talk to some of them. This trip also helped me come out of my shell. Before, I was shy and didn’t like having to talk to new people. I stuck with my childhood friends.

People to People is a great program. I would recommend it to anyone. The program takes you to both natural and architectural marvels. They immerse you in the culture with homestays and bringing you to small villages to meet the natives. I loved this trip so much that I went on another one with them just last summer. It was to Greece, Italy, and France. The homestay in Italy was amazing. They showed us around the town of Lonego and even took us to Sirmione on Lake Garda. I still stay in contact with both my homestay families today.

Traveling abroad is an experience you will never forget. I was fortunate enough to be able to go abroad twice and two separate continents. After I returned home from Australia, I just knew I had to travel abroad after high school. I had gotten the travel bug.