Hello, Hola, Mbaé’chepa, Bonjour, Tashi Deleck, Namaste, Parev, Ni Hao, Sao Di Kaap, Jambo, Assalamualaikum, and Merhaba!
I am a 24 year old American on a journey. The title of this blog is “Change Yourself, Change the World.” I chose this theme because it is a reflection of the way in which I choose to live my life.
Before I started traveling, I had a lifestyle that millions can’t even begin fathom. Not only did I have delicious food to eat, comfortable clothes on my back, and a warm and loving family, but I also had everything I could possibly ever want or need. Even more, I had the privilege of going to a fantastic university in the United States (California Institute of the Arts) and attaining a degree of my choosing, which at the time was a career as a professional musician.
Unfortunately, I developed chronic tendonitis in both of my hands and was unable to drum anymore. In a very depressed state in the Winter of 2007, I felt uninspired and unsure of what my next step in life would be. Searching for guidance, I decided to do something completely over the top and go to India for three months, volunteering and backpacking with a group of strangers. This experience was brutal at the beginning for a completely novel traveler and sheltered American student who had never traveled outside of the US before. Trying to fit all of the things I desperately ‘needed’ into a humongous backpack, walking miles on end in the sweltering Indian heat, trekking through the Himalayas, trying to understand a completely foreign culture, getting stripped of my identity and feeling vulnerable, homesick, and frequently physically ill… but it was the best experience of my life!
Why? Why were all of these so-called ‘miserable’ experiences so powerful? They were powerful because it forced me to turn around and change myself into something better. It coerced me into stopping and really thinking about my life in relation to others, and it brought a sense of perspective that I had never known existed.
I returned to the US in May 2008 and promptly transferred to Global College/Friend’s World, the only university in the world that allows students to base 3.5 years of their education outside of the United States. From there my travels took off, and nearly 3 years later I have been to 30 countries! Now my dream has come around full-circle during my journey as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Paraguay.
While traveling the world (and living with nine other people in close quarters for eight months, working with three different micro-finance organizations, a non-profit global venture fund in New York, an international fellowship, and staying at various homestays), I have realized quite a few things about myself in the process. I find myself a passionate social entrepreneur, micro-financier, drummer, musician, avid reader and writer, photographer, videographer, movie-watcher (especially foreign), tree-hugger, and all-around lover of everything that has to do with traveling.
This blog is, in fullness, a winding journey that never stops. I’ve been traveling all over the world since Spring 2008, and I have no intention of stopping!
18 Comments so far
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Brit-
Comment by Allie April 18, 2009 @ 8:24 pmLooks like an amazing experience. The pictures are great. Have fun and be safe.
-Allie
Brit,
Comment by Siobhan May 7, 2009 @ 9:20 pmWow this is soo awesome! You should become a pro photographer or something because these pictures are great! I miss you sooooo much and I can’t wait to see you in Italy! I hope that you are having a great time and make sure to email me all the time!
Love you!
Siobhanny
Brit,
Comment by Auntie Debbis May 8, 2009 @ 10:43 amThis is an amazing world that you have entered and you are taking your family with you on your travels. You must publish a book of all of your adventures so many more people may enjoy this experience. Be safe and know that you are loved. Auntie Deb
Hi
Brillant stuff .. even i strongly believe that travel is the best way to learn … !!
am gonna read your blog for next two days .. am truly impressed !
and yaa next time you are in india … do meet me .. ll help you with any or everything here
Neha Khandelwal (from Acumen Fund’ online community)
Comment by Neha Khandelwal February 17, 2010 @ 6:41 amYour blog has made it onto my bookmark of blogs…only given to a select few.
By the way…Gandhi ripped off that quote from Tolstoy…as well as that whole passive resistance thing, but we love him anyway!
How are you friend?
End your life!
…not really
Comment by Mr. Penelope July 28, 2010 @ 1:01 pmMr. S Man says many thanks, and sends his regards! Miss you!!
Comment by brittanygoesglobal July 28, 2010 @ 1:38 pmcool lip ring and nice aht too! <3 Athena Myers
Comment by Athena Myers November 6, 2010 @ 5:24 pmsorry i meant to type hat! – Athena Myers
Comment by Athena Myers November 6, 2010 @ 5:25 pmDo you, by any chance, have Romanian ancestors?
Comment by fastardul May 28, 2011 @ 3:42 amNo I don’t- but I do have Armenian ancestors!
Comment by brittanygoesglobal June 5, 2011 @ 9:47 pmAwesome!!I like your blog….have you visited pokhara in your trip to Nepal??
Comment by Harish December 15, 2011 @ 9:52 pmNo I haven’t, but I would love to someday!
Comment by brittanygoesglobal December 16, 2011 @ 6:21 amMy name is Steve Balog. I am Emily’s dad. Thank you for your comments agout her and about the memorial service by PC in Paraguay. And thank you for being her friend. She shared your passion for travel and service. Emily’s mom and I will be visiting Paraguay in a few months and look forward to meeting you.
Comment by Steve Balog February 13, 2012 @ 11:20 amHello Mr. Balog, it’s great to hear from you. I’m glad to hear that you will be coming down to Paraguay soon- we all look forward to meeting you and sharing memories about Emily’s amazing life.
Comment by brittanygoesglobal February 15, 2012 @ 5:36 amI am curious to find out what blog platform you happen to be utilizing?
Comment by backgrounds facebook background codes November 1, 2012 @ 2:40 amI’m having some minor security problems with my latest blog and I would like to find something more risk-free. Do you have any suggestions?
Hello! I use WordPress. It’s a great platform and I recommend it. Thanks for reading!
Comment by brittanygoesglobal November 1, 2012 @ 5:02 amWOW You’re amazing. I just finished watching your graduation video. So cool to see what you’ve been up to. I really dig your spice jars you’ve created!!!
All the best,
Comment by Zack Purdo February 14, 2013 @ 12:54 amZack
Woahhh blast from the past! Thanks for reading– hope you’re doing well!
Comment by brittanygoesglobal February 14, 2013 @ 1:10 am