I have never made a blog before, so I am not really sure where to start...but here goes. My name is Kasey. I'm a 23 year-old from Bradford, Pennsylvania. I recently graduated from a small, private liberal arts college in the middle of Amish town, Pennsylvania. My alma mater, Westminster College, has captured my heart and I have met some of my greatest friends during my four years there. I now have a degree in Communication Studies, and I'm not entirely sure what I want to do with the rest of my life (Does anyone?) I originally came to college freshman year as a young, hopeful eighteen-year-old majoring in vocal performance. I had absolutely no idea what I wanted to do, besides sing. Singing was one thing that I was certain that I loved, and I was overjoyed to be accepted into the music program. Little did I know what I was getting myself into. The first week of classes I struggled with basic music theory and an overwhelming schedule that plagues many music majors. Also, I was being taught operatically, which I struggled to gain an interest in. I realized how unprepared I was for the program and how I had little idea what I was doing. So, maybe three weeks into my freshman year, I officially left the music program and tried to figure out what else I should do with my life. It was a tough pill to swallow. Whenever I saw the future for myself, it involved singing and performing. Clearly, I had not thought through what I was going to do with a degree in Vocal Performance. Broadway? Professional singer? I had no direction for my life at all. And although singing will always hold a special place in my heart, I decided to pursue something that might better help me in the future. It was hard because there is a part of me that feels like I gave up on what I really wanted to do; but at the same time, I continually remind myself that I don't necessarily need a degree to continue to do what I love.
I decided on a major in Communication Studies with a minor in Marketing. Wedding and event planning always appealed to me, and I thought that the communication/marketing mix would come in handy. I stuck with it, excelling in communications, and taking a plethora of business courses such as accounting and statistics in order to fulfill my marketing minor. While communications was a breeze for me, the business courses (as expected) proved to be more challenging. I am certain that I would have graduated with honors had it not been for a few particularly tough business courses that I struggled with. Even so, I don't regret taking them. I had always loved marketing in high school, and I learned a lot taking the courses that I did in order to fulfill my minor requirements. After a semester of working with a wedding and event planning company, I am still unsure of how I want to move forward in regards to my future. I learned a lot at this internship and it was hard work, but sometimes I wonder if I am cut out for the fast-paced style of work. So here I am, newly graduated with a shiny degree, and little idea of where I should go with it.
Thankfully, in the fall of 2011 during my junior year, I made one of the best decisions of my life and chose to study abroad in London. I have never been a traveler by any means, maybe vacationing only a few times in my entire life. I remember one of my sorority sisters talking about the Westminster in London program, where students and professors from Westminster go over to London and study together. This immediately sparked my interest, but also terrified me. I had never been anywhere, I had just been appointed a position in my sorority, and I still talked to my mom on the phone every single day. But as soon as the thought entered my mind, I simply could not stop thinking about it. The possibility of living in London for an entire semester was both terrifying and exhilarating. While talking to a friend who had previously been part of the Westminster in London program, I remember her words: "If you have any interest in studying abroad, and don't take this opportunity, you are going to regret it." These words stuck with me as I took the leap and decided to study abroad. Getting the courage to tell my parents was the hardest part, because I knew they probably wouldn't take me very seriously. Me? The girl who had never been anywhere? And at first, they didn't. They assumed I was all talk, as did most of my hometown friends. But I was convinced. The thought grew and grew in my mind until it was all that I could think about. I knew that I had to seize this opportunity.
When that day came to board the plane that would take me to a foreign country and away from everyone I loved, I was paralyzed. The entire three and a half hour drive to the airport, I was a ball of nerves. I remember making my parents stop at rest stops periodically because I was positive that I was going to be sick. Despite all that, I did it. I said goodbye to my mom and dad. I watched my mom start to cry as I clutched my laptop, trying to catch up to the rest of my group, some acquaintances, mostly strangers that I would be spending the next semester in Europe with. Little did I know, these people who I had hardly ever talked to before would become some of my best friends. When you are thrown together in a foreign country, you tend to bond with others quickly. So, although boarding that plane brought so much uncertainty, it was the best decision that I could have ever made. I got to explore so many amazing places during my time abroad. Italy, The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France...I had never seen so much beauty. From touring Dachau Concentration Camp to visiting The Anne Frank House, sometimes I had to pinch myself. Was I really experiencing all of this? On top of all the experiences that I had, I also made some great friends and even have a second "mom" of sorts waiting for me if I ever want to come back to London (hint: I do).
Anne Frank House in Amsterdam
Dachau Concentration Camp
It has been over two years since I have been in Europe and my wanderlust grows stronger by the day. Like so many others, I have been bit by the travel bug. I often have dreams of myself in London or other beautiful European cities and wake up feeling sullen and cheated that I am back in my childhood bed. A lot of people don't get it. They don't understand that just because I am a college graduate, I don't want to settle down with a 9-5 job right away. It is so against the norm for us as Americans. Culturally, we are supposed to graduated high school, go to college, get a job, get married, have our 2.5 children…blah blah blah. So, right now I am working part time as a waitress and saving up my money for new adventures (and those dreaded student loans). I refuse to let go of my travel dreams. Although there will always be those who won't understand or will disapprove, I will not give up. Travel is a part of me now. It runs so very deeply and I know I will never be happy if I don't go out and explore. It is great that so many of my peers are finding their dream jobs, getting married, or having kids. It is just not what I want for myself right now. I don't have my whole life planned out, and that's okay. I'm 23 and I still have a lot of living left to do. I want to go out and explore more of the world. Maybe only then I will truly find what I am meant to do.
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