Emerson Buck

My name is Emerson Buck, and I love to travel. My family, especially my dad, has always loved to travel, so I have done so since a very young age. I think the best thing about traveling is being able to learn about a new culture and see how people experience life in different ways. Traveling can open your eyes to so many new perspectives about the world. For instance, when I went on a mission trip to Panama, I was able to see how people who lack everyday material items that we find necessary still maintain a positive perspective on the world. These people were some of the happiest and most grateful people I have ever met, despite the fact that they lived in hard conditions. I admired this and wanted to try to be more grateful and focus on people and experiences rather than materialistic items and things. When I have traveled to Europe, however, it has been a completely different learning experience. I observed that people in European countries move at a much slower pace than we do in America. They have a much better work-life balance and are more focused on spending time with family and enjoying life outside of strictly working. Often in America, it seems like we are so focused on work and school that often times we forget to enjoy spending time with people we love. These are just two examples of opposing perspectives I have gained from traveling that have positively impacted my life. This summer, I plan to study abroad in London and attend the London School of Economics. I think this will be a great way for me to be able to deeply explore a city by spending an extended period of time there. I am also hoping to be able to travel to other countries I haven't been able to yet while abroad in London. It is easy to get caught in the bubble where you live and forget that people around the world are experiencing and living in completely different ways than yourself. I am extremely thankful to be able to experience different cultures and for the impact it has had on my life