Life is a journey, and everything we do, every people
we meet and places we go make us grow more, it makes us see the world in a different way, all towards our personal growth.
Five months ago, at the end of winter, I started the
Erasmus study program, which has become one of the best experiences I have had
and will have in my young life. It has helped me in many ways to see the world
differently and to live in unity with people from different cultures and
believes, but above all things, to discover more my potentials and to grow as a
person and future professional.
During this period, I have had the opportunity to
learn about the Czech Republic, it's people, culture, and the important role it
played in European history. I have had also the privilege to meet and have
great teachers, who planted the seed of knowledge in every one of my
classmates, including myself.
One of the things I'm most grateful for this experience is the people I have met. Most of them have become like a second family to
me, with their support and warm feelings that makes one feel like home. I have
shared with many people on more than one occasion common ideologies,
backgrounds, or aspirations, which has been very interesting for me.
These people whom I can now call friends are like this
family that makes you smile a lot and that cheers you on to be a better version
of yourself. With them I have enjoyed so many walks, “cook-up” as we say
back home; and even shared some travel adventures together.
The wonders and blessings of crossing one border and
another, visiting great cities, small villages, and seeing the marvelous
architecture that holds all of Europe's history is simply stunning. It connects
me with the past and with the people of the old continent. It also makes me
understand some of the customs and history of "the Americas", and to appreciate
more where I come from and what I have.
Erasmus is that dream that you don't want to wake up
from, that dream that makes you smile and nostalgic at the same time. With so
many important teachings and experiences that will accompany me for the rest of
my life.
I can honestly say that I don't regret a single thing
about this experience, and even though the European lifestyle, weather, food
and the way some people interact and see the world is different, I have learned
to appreciate that; to love diversity, to appreciate languages, other cultures,
music, and way of seeing the world.
So now as I am soon to depart to my homeland, where I
will once again be surrounded by a chain of volcanos or the crystal waters of
the Caribbean, I can proudly say: I'm not the same person I was 6 months ago, I
have grown more, I have learned to appreciate more than ever what I have and
who I am.
I'm thankful for this, for the people, the places I
have visited and that brought in one or two occasions tears of joy and
gratitude from my eyes.
So, I leave the "first world" with high
hopes and dreams, and with the security of that most of the people who were in
this dream is now part of my reality, and that we will all see each other
someday, at a specific time, place and enjoy once more again each other’s
company.
So long...
“Sometimes you need to go far from home to appreciate
more what you have”
Check out my Erasmus Friends video :
Check out my Erasmus Friends video :