Wanderlust: that awful, yet, satisfying disease that causes your heart to yearn for the world and adventure. I’ll admit it, I suffer from Wanderlust. Having Wanderlust while in college is a very difficult thing to manage. My head is often in the clouds; I’m always dreaming of the foreign lands I have yet to discover, when I really should be focusing on my next anatomy test. Although having a desire to discover the world is a good thing, when you are a student in college you also need to focus on the here and now. This is a lesson I am continually learning. Here are five ways to deal with wanderlust while you are am still in school. 1) Study Abroad This one seemed like the simplest answer. If you are in school and want to experience the world, why not take a semester and study abroad? Next year, many of my classmates are planning to take classes in the beautiful country, Costa Rica! I imagine they’ll be spending their days lounging on the beach and drinking Pina Coladas…just kidding! But seriously, studying abroad is the perfect way for someone to experience a new culture, while still taking classes… and pleasing their parents. 2) Go on Summer Mission Trips Summer mission trips! They are not just for crazy groups of hormonal teenagers. I think mission trips are awesome because they allow you to experience a culture in the raw; you get to make friends with the locals, eat the native cuisine, and live among the indigenous people. The other thing I love about mission trips is that you can find ones that pertain to what you are studying in college. I am studying medicine, so when I had the chance to go on a medical mission trip to Ghana, I jumped at the opportunity. That was an amazing trip; I was able to become friends with the Ghanaian people, taste delicious new foods, barter in the beautiful markets and also practice my medical knowledge. I think it is so cool that mission trips allow you to see a country and also give back by volunteering. 3) Take an Area Studies Class at Your University Another way to curb your appetite for the world is to take an area studies class. These classes teach you about the history, traditions, and customs of a country. Now I know learning about a country is not as cool as experiencing it first hand, but I was pleased to discover that these classes offer so much knowledge and only make me more in awe of the world. I recently was enrolled in a Latin American area studies class that I found very interesting. These classes are a good way to learn about a new culture and gain background knowledge that will be useful when you do visit that country. 4) Explore Your Area I have been learning more and more that I can experience new cultures in my backyard. I go to school 15 minutes from center city, Philadelphia. Philadelphia is an amazing and diverse city that I have taken for granted my whole life. This year, I am making a point to explore my own city. So far, I've discovered an amazing Tibetan shop, full of little treasures, down the street from my school. Also, I've enjoyed some delicious Chinese food from the depths of Chinatown. I’m also so lucky to be near Reading Market, an old train station building in Philly, which has of cuisines from a variety of cultures. I’m realizing that every town has hidden places full of adventure and unique cultures. 5) Surround Yourself with the World If you can’t go out into the world now, bring the world to you! My bedroom at school has so many pictures and postcards from around the world. For example, a large map hangs over my bed, a poster of a large waterfall I visited is taped above my desk and my bulletin board is covered in postcards from around the world. These little images always bring a smile to my face and remind me how amazing the world is. 6) Keep a Travel Jar
The best thing I have found to help me control my wanderlust while I am in school is my travel jar. My little mason jar full of coins and crumpled dollars. My little blue jar full of dreams. As I watch the money pile up, slowly but surely, I am reminded of my never fading dream to travel the world. I may not be able to drop everything and step on a plane right now, but someday, someday soon, I will graduate from college and get on the next flight to my world adventure.
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