It would be difficult for me to concisely describe my experience traveling this past semester. This is simply because I think that it would be, at best, disrespectful of me to summarize any aspect of it with any one simple adjective. Having the chance to take part in travel class has been all equal parts amazing, enjoyable, and enlightening. Not only do these words apply to the privelege of being in the class, but they also apply to the way the class has changed my views about myself and about the concept of traveling.
Travel class was a unique experience that I genuinely believe not many university students have the chance of experiencing without enrolling in a study abroad program. I guess that this is one of the many perks that I enjoyed about it. To me, as a student who never took part in any study abroad program, this class was very similar to what I would have expected out of completing one. The main difference, of course, is that travel class is focused on local experiences as opposed to international ones. As a person, not just a student, this was a massive benefit for me. I have never really done much traveling in my life, and I have certainly never been one to confidently interact with strangers, being the natural introvert that I am. Consequently, I would have to conclude that this class has taught me how to become more comfortable with the idea of doing both of these things.
It was very illuminating for me to be able to expose myself more directly to the cultural wonders of southwestern Pennsylvania: a geographical area looked down upon by many as being largely uncivilized and intellectually ignorant. I can safely say that while I was formerly a perpetrator of such pompous views, they have been proven so very wrong by my involvement with travel class this semester. Just because Pennsylvania is not renowned for its cultural enrichment the way that, for instance, Italy, France, or Japan are, that does not mean Pennsylvania lacks any sort of enriching qualities by any means necessary. I understand that it is easy to overlook the positive things about this part of the state, but when one actually goes out of their own way to find them, they are immensely enthralling and steeped in pure history and art.
Several trips that our class engaged in over the course of the semester exemplified such quailities for me. However, if I were to choose which one was my favorite, I think that I would have to go with our excursion to Troy Hill. Specifically, I really enjoyed taking guided tours of the Art Houses, which I now understand are the most famous aspect of the small town for good reason. It was, by far, the most surreal experience I've had all semester. Every room of the houses felt as though they were guiding me through the plot of someone else's story that I was intruding on. It was like I got very brief glimpses into the lives of people that came from different time periods than I do, and I am positive that no other traveling experience will provide me with that same sensation ever again.
I think that the most beneficial thing that travel class has done for me, by far, is introduce me to the idea that I am free to go where I like, see what I want to see, and do what I want with whomever I want. I have spent much of my childhood and even my early years as a young adult needlessly fearing the outside world for no real reason. Perhaps it was just due to my natural pessimism, which has been largely noted by many of the people in my life as being one of my key traits (not to mention a block to finding happiness in simple things). I really believe that this class has helped me shy away from indulging myself in such dreary tendencies.
My experiences interacting with the people that I have met at the various places we visited convinced me that there are people out in the world who are worth giving a chance. My many opportunities to see the countless sights and wonders of this little sliver of land I've called "home" for so long has convinced me that I don't need to be afraid of going to new places or trying new things. Now that I have had a chance to have all of these realizations, I am confident that they will positively affect me in the near future. They make me eager to see and experience what else is out there in the state of Pennsylvania. Maybe I will even be so brave as to freely explore the country one day. Now that I have been completely opened to the idea of travel, I am willing to embrace all opportunities that come my way.