When studying abroad it is important to keep an open mind and take whatever comes your way. I have always tried to welcome spontaneity into my life in whatever form. Being spontaneous is what keeps life interesting.
“The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun.” Chris McCandless
1. Be Open Minded
The most important thing when traveling and experiencing new places is to always have an open mind about everything, even if it seems odd, strange or even absurd. That’s the reason we travel in the first place: to see new things in a different way. Don’t get me wrong – it’s okay to not like things or disagree with them as long as you actually have a reason. Having an open mind means that you allow yourself to experience and see things from every perspective before making a judgment about them.
2. Surround Yourself with Spontaneity
The saying ‘you are who you surround yourself with’ is a lot truer than you may think. The people who you spend most of your time with play a huge part in defining who you are and what you do. Being an exchange student makes this easy, because you are instantly introduced to other adventurous exchange students who like to travel. It’s important to create a spontaneous atmosphere early as this will help put everyone in the right mindset.
3. Love Yours
Loving the life you live is maybe the most important thing you can do to for your personal happiness. There will always be someone who has more money, someone who is better looking, someone who is more adventurous, someone who has been more places than you, and while it is always good to strive to be better, you will never truly be happy unless you learn to love the life you are living.
4. Just Say YES
When trying to be spontaneous being a 'Yes Man’ may be the thing that will get you the farthest and be the most fun. Don’t always say yes without thinking about it, as that can be dangerous, but having 'yes’ be your first reaction will lead you to places you couldn’t imagine.
“Cynics always say no. But saying ‘yes’ begins things. Saying ‘yes’ is how things grow. Saying ‘yes’ leads to knowledge. ‘Yes’ is for young people. So for as long as you have the strength to, say ‘yes.’” Stephen Colbert
If you aren’t sure about something, say yes, because when you say no you are shutting down and letting fear win. By letting fear win you will never know what could have been, if you could have done it, where it would have led, who you would have met. Don’t doubt yourself; just say yes and figure it out when you get there.
5. End with Style
It’s important to end every adventure with style. The ending of anything is in a way what defines the entirety of any situation. Golf is an excellent example of this; you can play the whole round shanking every shot and missing every putt. By the last two holes you are ready to give up so you stop trying. But then you have the best drive and the best putt that you have ever had. Then it’s over, and all you remember is that one good drive and suddenly you can’t wait to play again. When traveling, this is just as important because even if it wasn’t the best trip you will keep your lust for travel if you end every adventure with style.
Being spontaneous isn’t just a way to live, it’s what makes us feel alive. It feeds the burning desire we all have within that makes us want to travel, see new places, have new adventures, and chase the ever-changing horizons that gives us true joy in life.
Like this Story? Also like us on Facebook.