My Travel Story

Today, I want to share with you my travel story. I want to tell you why I started to travel and what have I learnt along the way.

My story begins in a small town, Butterworth, where I grew up. As a kid, I had very little confidence and I always felt insecure in the public. I spent most of my time in my own little world, away from the rest.

One fine day, during my fourth year at high school, my Mathematics teacher, Tamil Selvi briefed us about a high school exchange program to the United States of America. She went on and on about the benefits of spending an entire semester in the United States, stressing a little phrase “You never know what the future holds.” I was tempted and I decided to go to there. I remember daydreaming on the plane about the American High School experience, with lockers and kids with perfect hair. Just like my favourite teenage movie “High School Musical” .God, however, had an entirely different plan. I was sent to Hartfield, Virginia, a peaceful countryside covered by huge trees, large cornfields and houses spread at least 1 kilometre apart. I was hosted by an old couple in their 80’s and I attended Middlesex High School which had less than 200 students, many teenage mums and kids who do drugs. I struggled to fit in the new society. I experienced terrible homesick and I would cry every time I hear my mother’s voice over the phone. Half a year passed by and I came back to Malaysia as an entirely new person. I changed for the better. I started to appreciate my parents. I stopped arguing with my sister.  I felt pity for my maid who was away from her family. It was then, that I realized that I needed to travel more to learn more.

There are different types of travel. Some people like to travel solo and some like to travel in groups. Some people travel for a certain purpose like religion, business, educational etc. 

So, why travel?

Firstly, travel moulds you to make your own decisions. The very moment you decide to travel, you have to start making your own decisions. You have to think about which airline to take, which route to take, where you are going to stay, etc. The decisions I made during my exchange was to go for drama lessons, track and field and art class. I also made the decision to go for prom with my Indonesian friend. The decisions you make determine your next destination. So, always make a wise one.

Next, travel expands your knowledge. It breaks most stereotypes you have about other citizens. For instance, I thought all Blacks were either robbers or murderers. To my surprise, they turned out to be the best people I met. They have such loving and kind hearts. Besides, you will also learn other’s history, culture, language and amazing architecture.

Next, you get to build long-lasting friendships. This is a picture of my friends taken 5 years ago in Virginia. 

We still keep in touch. Thanks to social media. My friends, Stella from Germany and Wikan from Indonesia visited me a few years ago and I brought them around Malaysia.

Last but certainly not least, you would experience new things. You will break your boundaries and get out of your comfort zone to experience amazing things. This is what makes travelling addictive. I have been for boat riding and mangrove planting in Ampawa, Thailand, I dared myself to give a thank you speech for an ASEAN event at Bangkok, Thailand. I participated in a choir performance. And I protested on the roads of India.

Most importantly, travelling makes you happy and contented.