The Way of the World

One week from now I will be on my way to Ghana. The time since my first trip has flown by; it is hard to believe that it has been six months. Those six months have not been easy but they seem small in comparison to the first 22 years of my life. This trip is beginning to feel like the culmination of all 22 years of work—it feels as if this moment has been a long time coming. Commitments and self doubt have delayed the start to this journey.

Four years ago during my senior year of high school I had a decision to make—go to college or simply start travelling around the world and see what becomes of my life. Ultimately I decided to go to school with the promise to myself that after I graduated I would start travelling but with a better understanding of the world and the ability to help the people I would meet. Instead of turning my back on my responsibilities to the world I decided to get an education and then use that education to help others. I had imagined that I would travel around the world and experience cultures, working when I needed to and moving on when I wanted to—a trip in the fashion of Nicolas Bouvier and his “slow travel.” But I realized that this 

would be a waste of both my time and the time of others. I saw that I needed to take the opportunities given to me, being born in America and the chance to get an outstanding education, and then use it to give others every opportunity available to them. This is what I am setting out to do.

Now, a week before my departure I feel that this trip will be much more rewarding, I have a direction and the knowledge to keep me focused, had I left four years ago I know I would have in the least given up or possibly even done damage to myself or others along the way. And as I pack my bags, both physical and mental, I know that I have the tools and supplies to make this trip a success.

Gnome
(1934)
Spend the years of learning squandering
courage for the years of wandering
through a world politely turning
from the loutishness of learning. --Samuel Beckett