Some things you just can’t learn in a classroom.
I was never brought up with this idea that travel is really important, my family never really went on holiday, the first time I went on a plane was when I was 13 and my mom took me and my sister to Majorca for a week. Never the less I knew I always wanted to see more than my family’s small circle in Hull. From a young age I knew there was a world out there that I needed to explore. When asked in school what I wanted to be when I was older I would say a traveler (other than being a solo acoustic artist or a princess). Besides going on a few holidays to Spain, my first real chance to see the world on my own was when the opportunity came about to study abroad through my university. Not a chance I was going to miss it and I chose to go to the furthest place I probably could, Sydney Australia.
So the first time I moved out of my house was when I was 19 and moved to Australia for 6 months. Hands down the best thing I could have done at that age.
My family weren’t fully on board and didn’t give me the positive outlook and motivation which would have helped me. Nonetheless I knew what I wanted to do and was determined.
People that I grew up with seem to be scared of the thought of leaving and exploring the new. At one point everyone said they wanted to travel and go places but they were all talk and I was determined.
It was a massive jump in the deep end to commit myself to 6 months on the other side of the world when I had never moved out before. Or that’s what people told me anyway. My mom kept asking me why I was so chilled out before I went but I didn’t see what I would be stressing about. I was ready and excited. After a long 2 days of travelling I finally made it and found my house (which I was sharing with 4 strangers) and get settled in.
The entire time I was there I was waiting to feel homesick and it never really came. Don’t get me wrong there were certain things I missed every now and again like just chatting to my family in the house and having a Sunday dinner. But I knew it was right for me at the time to be there and everyone at home in England was doing well so there was no need to be stressing.
I had to put myself out there to make friends who I would spend the next 6 months with and it was one of the easiest things I’ve ever done. Luckily I’m outgoing and confident which helped. I now have friends from all over the world and it’s amazing, I learnt so many things about other people’s culture and life and it gives you a good perspective on your own life. Allows you to understand other people with no judgment.
I felt safe in Sydney and I loved it. Too many experiences to write down in one go, I could probably write a book about it. Maybe I will.
The point is that there are some things that you just can’t learn about life and yourself from being in a class room, or limiting the surroundings you’re in.
Being brave doesn’t mean you’re not scared of a situation. Being brave is being scared and doing it anyway.
Now I am going with the flow but I would love to be living back in Australia. I chose to study journalism as my masters degree as there are always going to be travel opportunities for me, and that’s the dream. Travelling for a job.
