I have never changed a time zone. The biggest jet lag I have ever experienced involves losing one precious hour because of Daylight Savings Time.

In fact, I really have not gone west of the town. I took a few trips to Napoleon a long time ago before Walmart opened in 1994, but whenever I look to the west of Stone Ridge Golf Course, I see a land of mystery sprawling across the countryside.

When I graduate college, my goal is to solve this mystery and expand my horizons by traveling all the way to the West Coast. In spite of the difficulty this may pose, I vow to cross the country in my lifetime.

For most of us, travel has always been a part of our lives. For me this is especially true because if my parents had not settled in Bowling Green when I was a baby, I would probably be writing this column for a Florida newspaper.

My own memories of travel began with three-hour drives to see my grandparents in Ashtabula, Ohio. At the age of two, the car rides seemed long, and I never understood why I couldn’t see them on a regular basis.

When I got older, I found out the reason why.

Sad as it was for my extended family to be scattered across the country, I realize that our goals led us to exciting new places, even if it took us away from our comfort zones.

We are also stronger people because of our bravery to step away from what is safe and take risks. If we didn’t face challenges, we would never grow as people.

Travel is certainly a big challenge. In addition to the excitement (and potential fear) of going to a new place, we have to potentially endure long car rides, airport security checkpoints, car sickness and lousy directions.

Yet we do this again and again. In fact, some people enjoy the process of heading to a new place on a regular basis. This issue of In Focus is dedicated to these trailblazers.

The University is brimming with the products of travel–a majority of students had to pack up and move here, as did many teachers, and some of both groups ended up coming from other countries, never expecting to settle down in Bowling Green, even if it is only for a year or two.

These people initially find themselves in a new world, but that’s ultimately the point of college and life in general–if I was satisfied to sit at home for the rest of my life and have my parents take care of me, I would do it. But I would get bored really quick.

That’s part of the excitement of traveling to a new country using the Study Abroad program offered here. While it may seem like a daunting task to spend a semester in another country, it’s possible to discover a new passion such as mastering a second language. Even if your ambitions are not quite that lofty, it always provides an opportunity for some good stories and nice pictures.

Most of all, traveling can be quite fun. It’s hard for me to roar down a highway with wind whipping through my hair without flashing a grin.

In many ways, vacations provide a metaphor for life. While life is full of ups and downs, creating nice memories along the way helps make it all worth it.

For me, a good vacation provides me with a renewed zest for life after taking a break from the real world. A lousy vacation makes me feel stronger for having made it through, making me ready to conquer more challenges and increasing my confidence tenfold.

It’s a win-win situation, which will be especially true for me as I take a swim in the Pacific Ocean after completing my epic quest.