A lot of people think I went to Harvard for grad school (I didn’t, I went to Harvard undergrad). I feel as if I got my graduate education, however, by living abroad.
There is nothing easy about plopping yourself in a foreign country and culture with a language barrier to boot. I definitely felt that this morning when I was trying to get to Milan from Monza (long story–short story is I thought I booked a hotel in Milan because I searched for Milan on Hotels.com…but in fact booked a beautiful hotel in a suburb called Monza. Anywho!). I got lost. I had to stand in the middle of the sidewalk with a huge map. I followed street signs and stopped into stores where people told me to go left when they meant right. Did people stare at me like a Clingon? Sure! Was I a little anxious? When am I not? But I made it to Milan, and am now overlooking the Duomo drinking an Aperol spritz. I made it happen. Living and traveling abroad helps you to develop new skill sets, snatches you out of your comfort zone, and forces you to use your wits to get by.
Another beautiful thing about going abroad? The people you meet. Online is fine and has bridged many gaps. But nothing beats those face to face moments with people who can help you grow personally and professionally. I wanted to do a photo shoot in Milan, and I’ve got a makeup artist and photographer set up, thanks to a friend I met a few years back. I’m about to have a Cocktails with Claire in Paris for the same reason. You can touch so many new people by just hopping on a plane and keeping an open mind.
Not everything is peachy. There is racism. People will act crazy. There is negativity everywhere, even in your home town. Ignore it. Get your passport. And live your best life!
Love & Light,
*For my last day in London, I wore an aviator jumpsuit by One Piece. Another Bomb Brand I discovered in London!
