Words of (humble) wisdom from a fellow world traveler…

Words of (humble) wisdom from a fellow world traveler… 

I had just finished watching the USA play Germany in their third match of the World Cup in Szabadság ter (Freedom Square), Budapest. Surrounded by hundreds of people— mostly German fans but also many Americans— I felt alive as can be in this beautiful city that I had never been to, much less even heard about. Although we lost 0-1 (it was kind of expected- we were playing defensively), I still cheered my heart out and the USA still advanced to the Round of 16!

However, as the match ended and the crowd started to disperse, I was struck by a moment of intense loneliness as the elation of the festive mood left me suddenly. In truth, I had felt it coming. Traveling to Budapest for two days by myself, I knew I’d be officially on my own, without knowing a single person around me, for the first time since I arrived in Europe over a month ago. The group of EPs I knew already visited Budapest, but I really wanted to so I decided to come on my own.

I don’t usually get lonely. You know me— I’m the kind of guy that loves to live in the moment, to meet new people, and to try new things! But this was different: You see, this entire year of 2014, I have been in my house— at home with my family— for less than six weeks. Since August 2013, that number rests at ten. The months of being away from my home and family finally caught up, and as I sat in the middle of this wonderful city, surrounded by people, I felt sad and alone. I was tired of being away. Many other AIESECers and Yalies are in similar situations: you know how it can feel.

Suddenly I just wanted to feel sorry for myself, take the metro back to my hostel, and go straight to bed. But I figured I might as well take the long walk back and enjoy the city since it was my last night. At times it is good to be lonely— it’s good to express our natural emotions— but for the moment I wanted something to occupy my mind.

I came upon the most beautiful sunset over the Danube— those five minutes of the day where the sky is on fire in a perfect mix of orange, yellow, and pink. As I walked further, the lights of Budapest were lit slowly and beautifully one by one, and I felt as if I had been taken a century back in time as the river became even more majestic. 

In that moment, I realized how lucky I am. I was lucky to be in a perfect place at the perfect moment. I was lucky to be able to be in Europe and see so many things that most people don’t get to see. I was lucky, through this AIESEC experience, to be able to meet and influence so many people, and to become more of a Global Citizen myself.

Then more realizations started coming in— I’m lucky I don’t have to worry much about money, or where I’ll sleep tonight, or what I will eat tomorrow, or if my family and friends love me, or if my future is bright.

I felt a lot more content about where I was. I was grateful to God and to my family and friends and to everyone who has helped me and shared their experiences with me. I thought about my purpose in Europe through AIESEC. All of my traveling was allowing me to teach Czech children about languages and cultures they wouldn’t otherwise know about. It was expanding my knowledge about the country where my ancestors came from. And, perhaps most importantly, it was preparing me to better serve others in the future— at school, through AIESEC, and in my career. Whatever that career may be, I will apply the unique skills and experiences I’ve learned because of my travels.

Feeling much better, I returned to my hostel expected to go to sleep early. But then I ran into four British guys playing cards. I love to play cards, so I joined them and we had a lot of fun. Since they were my age, we all ended up going out and had a really adventurous and (with some effort) memorable night until we finally crashed at 4:00AM. I wrote this on the 9:00AM train I had to take after that…

This story has three (humble) points of wisdom for everyone, not just AIESECers. Many of you probably already know these. Everyone who is in a similar situation needs a reminder like this sometimes :) 

The first is that whenever you feel lonely, sad, or lost, observe the beauty of the place and moment in which you are, and remember why you are there. You are serving others and making a positive difference in their life, and it is also developing yourself as a person with experiences that will properly equip you in whatever you choose to do later in life.

Secondly, it’s okay to be lonely. It is part of being human. True friends and family will always be there for you, no matter how long you are gone. That is why you must pursue your own dreams wherever they take you, and you must allow them to do the same. Distance and time can be hard on love, but they will never break it and, sooner or later, you will be home with the ones you love.

Lastly, when you are in a new or different place, never just give up and go to bed. Many fun and exciting adventures await, ones that will create a more formative experience wherever you are.

Life is good, and the world is a beautiful place!

Cheers from Vienna,

-Derek