By: Julia Kovacova

The warm months come and go, but this one was here to stay. The wheels rumbling, ears popping, accelerating to unfathomable speeds- and we were off! My best friend and I were flying solo and embarking on a trip to Europe. The majority of the time was spent traveling with family; however, we did take a day trip to Windsor Castle, Bath, and Stonehenge alone. To me, learning comes better through experience rather than slouching in a classroom. Sometimes you have to get out of the classroom to grasp and explore. Experiencing traveling expands the mind, helps unfold the meaning of life, and breaks down cultural barriers. St. Augustine once said, “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”

  I was perched on the edge of the North Parade Bridge. My eyes faced what I envisioned was a storybook scene. Luscious, thick green trees, mountainous hills, and houses stacked upon houses lined the portrait perfect city. As I gazed across the river, realization hit me. Javert from Les Misérables took his own life jumping off this bridge. Creating reflections, the sunshine’s warmth radiated off the water. I closed my eyes and the harmony of the River Avon soothed me. It all felt like a dream to me. My illustration of Bath pays minimal homage, yet capturing the moment was all I could do.

Here’s my advice: travel! At least once a year, get out of your house and go anywhere! Seek a world full of opportunities just waiting for you to acquire. Distance does not matter; it is the experience that counts.