Before coming to L’Abbaye, I didn’t know much about what I wanted. I knew I wanted to go to Greece (every girl does after watching The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants) and I knew I wanted to find out more about myself. I guess I didn’t have much time to think about it since coming here was a last minute, on a whim decision that is very out of character for me. On our first meeting about our Vision Quests, I made a list of things I wanted to accomplish while I’m here:
--I didn’t want to be defined by labels anymore. Not all of them have been bad: cheerleader, in showchoir, a Schraeder, a part of my sorority. A lot of these things I loved or still love, but I wanted to make a new and unique definition of myself.
--I wanted to catch the fever of travel so that I not only get to see new worlds and places, but also get to experience new cultures and expand my view of the world.
--I wanted to gain confidence in myself so that I can stick to my guns and speak up for myself. I’m was tired of letting people walk over me.
--I wanted to let people know what I’m thinking.
--I wanted to win and feel proud of myself.
--I wanted to lose and get over it.
--I wanted to be 100% positive that I don’t need anyone to tell me that I can make it- I can do it on my own if I need to.
--I wanted to be ok with what I believe in.
Reflecting back on my experience here, I’ve learned not only the things I planned to learn, but unexpected lessons as well:
--I’ve learned to appreciate the people in my life. Coming back from the two week travel break, I don’t think I’ve ever been more happy to see my Abbey friends. I’ve learned to appreciate each of them for who they are and who’ve they have helped me to become. Jay and Amanda with their always positive attitudes and smiles, Kadi who is always eager to help, Mandy, Eli, Nathan and Cody who have helped me keep my sanity and have been the best friends I could have asked for, our professors with their knowledge and creativity, the Lewis twins with their loving sisterly arguing...and the list goes on.
--I’ve learned that it’s important to figure out what you believe. I’ve never been one for getting into politics and I still hate arguing about it, but being in a place that is so different from home has helped me to see that I at least want to care about it now.
--I’ve learned that I want to know and appreciate the history of my family and my country, but I’ve also gotten a new appreciation for what’s to come in the future.
--I’ve learned that I want to go into the Peace Corps and help people who aren’t as fortunate as I have been and continue to grow as a citizen of the world.
--I’ve learned that it’s ok to not be right all the time.
--I’ve learned that I like green peas.
--I’ve learned to live in the moment.
--I’ve learned to open up to new people and new experiences.
The list could go on and on about things I’ve learned from getting stuck at Beauvais Airport to meeting new friends on spring break to jumping off of a cliff in Santorini. Overall, I think the most important lesson that I’ve learned here is to live in the moment, and however cheesy it may sound, to not be scared to be who you are.
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