I AM
by Jeff Loy Submitted November 2012
I AM going to change my world. Six years ago, ten years old sitting in an auditorium listening to a presentation about Australia, I didn’t know what this meant. That next summer, I explored the land Down Under. I was privileged to sit in the Australian Parliament and hear from a real member of their government. I got up close and personal with a koala and a crocodile, I snorkeled the Great Barrier Reef, and threw a boomerang with a real Aborigine. I returned changed.
How, I wasn’t fully aware yet.
Then I was invited to travel as an Alumnus to Italy and Greece. Climbing Mt Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe, exploring the Pompeii ruins and seeing the sites of Ancient Rome gave me a new insight into ancient culture. Then I was led to explore Europe further, England and France. Seeing the Queen of England as she celebrated her birthday on parade, climbing the Eiffel tower and being overwhelmed by Versailles gave me plenty to share with my geography class when I got home.
The National Delegation to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands was next on my agenda. Of course, I couldn’t wait to see the giant tortoises, but learning about the Ecuadorean Rose industry, the roses that I see for sale in stores at home, was amazing. I think this is when I realized just how big the world was, and how little most people understand about it.
The next year, I couldn’t decide where I wanted to travel. As an Alumnus, I had my choice and, I just couldn’t decide. Japan or the South Pacific? Then, a new program came along. I was offered a spot on the inaugural National Delegation to Costa Rica. The tsunami and earthquake that hit the other areas made my decision.
I was overwhelmed by the impact that the rainforest had on me. Sleeping in a tent lodge, waking to the sounds of howler monkeys and zip-lining the canopy was incredible. Then I found the idea of Pura Vida, or true contentment. Staying with a family that by our standards would be considered near poverty, yet experiencing their happiness and contentment with the life that they have, really woke me up. Now I find that hearing my friends complain that they didn’t get a new car for their birthday annoys me.
When the service based program to India was offered as the next Inaugural National Delegation, I had to be there. Not only did I learn about and gain a great respect and understanding of the culture and religions, but I was able to serve. True Indian cuisine, visiting the village that is home to the Dali Lama, doing yoga with a real yogi in the mountains at sunrise, do I really need to say more?
Now, with Africa and Antarctica to go, conquering all 7 continents is within reach. I believe that the past 6 years have put me on a path to change my world, and yours.
I AM going to change my world. Six years ago, ten years old sitting in an auditorium listening to a presentation about Australia, I didn’t know what this meant. That next summer, I explored the land Down Under. I was privileged to sit in the Australian Parliament and hear from a real member of their government. I got up close and personal with a koala and a crocodile, I snorkeled the Great Barrier Reef, and threw a boomerang with a real Aborigine. I returned changed.
How, I wasn’t fully aware yet.
Then I was invited to travel as an Alumnus to Italy and Greece. Climbing Mt Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe, exploring the Pompeii ruins and seeing the sites of Ancient Rome gave me a new insight into ancient culture. Then I was led to explore Europe further, England and France. Seeing the Queen of England as she celebrated her birthday on parade, climbing the Eiffel tower and being overwhelmed by Versailles gave me plenty to share with my geography class when I got home.
The National Delegation to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands was next on my agenda. Of course, I couldn’t wait to see the giant tortoises, but learning about the Ecuadorean Rose industry, the roses that I see for sale in stores at home, was amazing. I think this is when I realized just how big the world was, and how little most people understand about it.
The next year, I couldn’t decide where I wanted to travel. As an Alumnus, I had my choice and, I just couldn’t decide. Japan or the South Pacific? Then, a new program came along. I was offered a spot on the inaugural National Delegation to Costa Rica. The tsunami and earthquake that hit the other areas made my decision.
I was overwhelmed by the impact that the rainforest had on me. Sleeping in a tent lodge, waking to the sounds of howler monkeys and zip-lining the canopy was incredible. Then I found the idea of Pura Vida, or true contentment. Staying with a family that by our standards would be considered near poverty, yet experiencing their happiness and contentment with the life that they have, really woke me up. Now I find that hearing my friends complain that they didn’t get a new car for their birthday annoys me.
When the service based program to India was offered as the next Inaugural National Delegation, I had to be there. Not only did I learn about and gain a great respect and understanding of the culture and religions, but I was able to serve. True Indian cuisine, visiting the village that is home to the Dali Lama, doing yoga with a real yogi in the mountains at sunrise, do I really need to say more?
Now, with Africa and Antarctica to go, conquering all 7 continents is within reach. I believe that the past 6 years have put me on a path to change my world, and yours.