Exploring the World

For the first seventeen years of my life, the only states I had visited were New Hampshire and Maine. My world felt small and familiar, and I never imagined that one day I would travel far beyond those early boundaries to explore so many different parts of the world.

International travel has since become one of the great teachers of my life. Walking through ancient streets, standing before monuments, entering places of worship, and experiencing landscapes unlike those at home have brought history and culture to life in ways that books alone never could. Each destination has helped me understand how geography, faith, tradition, conflict, and community shape the lives of people.

Travel has also given me opportunities to encounter different cultures through their food, architecture, art, music, celebrations, and ordinary routines. Some of the most meaningful moments have come not from famous landmarks, but from observing daily life and recognizing both the differences that make each culture distinctive and the experiences we all share.

The opportunity to see so much of the world has enriched my life in more ways than I could ever have imagined. Each journey has left me with new stories, broader perspectives, and a deeper appreciation for the beauty, diversity, and resilience found across our globe. Here, I share some of the places that expanded my world and changed the way I understand it.