Clop. Clop. Clop. Clop. The sound of shoes (and wheels) on the cobblestone streets filled the atmosphere of Prague. “If these men are the first war leaders of a defeated nation to be prosecuted in the name of the law, they are also the first to be given a chance to plead for their lives in the name of the law,” U.S. Chief Prosecutor Robert H. Jackson said during his opening statement at the Nuremberg Trials. Huff-and-puff go the tourists ascending the steep hill to Hohenschwangau Castle. A hissssss sound fills the air and nostrils of bystanders while carriage-pulling horses do their business. The flap of birds’ wings are barely audible outside the vast night sky of St. Stephen’s Basilica. All of these noises filtered through my ears during my little backpacking adventure exploring Europe.
I always romanticized the idea of backpacking abroad. I think I was first exposed to this concept when reading books detailing the older generation’s experience through Europe and Asia, where it was almost a rite of passage to save up money to spend a summer (or gap year) travelling and living life alone or with friends. Lugging around an absurdly abnormally-sized backpack. Spending sweltering summer nights in packed hostels. Utilizing one’s last memories of high school Spanish lessons to converse with locals. Consulting hand-me-down travel guides with suspicious stains for hidden gems.
But, the invention of the internet and smartphone means these struggles are all but over. One click solves the information asymmetry. No more wondering if a train line exists. No more lost-in-translation moments. And most importantly, no more need for on the scene exploration when social media can show us instantaneously what’s happening halfway around the globe. The sense of adventure has disappeared. The mystique and thrill of exploring the unknown, evaporated. Yet, people still choose backpacking. Why?
Perhaps it’s the journey and not just the destination. Flights have never been cheaper (excluding the current oil spikes; thanks Hormuz!) and when averaged out, seem to be more logical than bus and train when accounting for money and time. But, rides taking you through the streets shows you the country you’re visiting in all its glory. Not just the brushed up, Instagram-worthy moments. You see the true place made up of everyday people. Those that built the nation up with their sweat and tears, and constitute the backbone that sustains their country. Not just the highs of the high, and of the vast wealth stored in the Habsburg’s Imperial Treasury; nor just the lows of the low, and of the impoverished asking for a living along the streets. No, a balance of the two extremes better represents reality.
Others may find backpacking to be a spiritual awakening. Travelling rough and connecting with locals awakens something hidden inside oneself. Like a diamond, pressure and a good bit of shining reveals one’s true identity.
Still, some want to seek a thrill in life that can only be satisfied by personal action. They cannot experience life vicariously through the internet. They need the chance to spend a night in a murder-esque basement or wait over four hours for a delayed bus. These rough memories are what make the experience worthwhile.
Regardless of personal motivation, backpackers share a common thread of development. One’s experience travelling abroad in a foreign land builds you as an individual for the better. You will interact with locals and pick up some of their customs. Your worldview changes as you encounter different perspectives. You’ll see new sights and encounter unique opportunities.
Then, you take this back with you to the College. Part of the whole study abroad goal is developing global citizens who can leverage immersion to be ready to tackle the challenges of the world. This sounds like a line from a corporate presentation, but the facts remain. Studying abroad is a privilege. Backpacking is a privilege. Not everyone will have the chance to benefit from these activities.
For those on the fence, go study abroad. Use this wonderful opportunity provided by the College to see the world. Broaden your perspective. Be prepared to have your worldview challenged. And, get ready to change the world. We only get one shot.
~ Roy Li `28
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