We asked high school students this important question. We also asked them to include personal experiences or what they aspire to learn through travel. The responses are inspiring and we’re excited to share them with you. Here is the 1st place essay from our Travel Essay Scholarship Contest, as well as excerpts from a few of the runner-up winners!
“Traveling has opened my eyes to the beauty of connection.”
1st place scholarship winner & recipient of a free Westcoast Connection trip – Alexia D.
Traveling has always felt like a distant dream for me, especially growing up in a low-income family where opportunities to explore the world seemed out of reach. But in the summer of 2024, everything changed when I traveled to Ghana for the first time to connect with my family and learn more about my heritage. This trip wasn’t just about visiting a new place; it was about discovering who I am and where I come from.
One of the most meaningful aspects of this experience was being able to speak Twi with my relatives and locals. It wasn’t just a way to communicate; it was a bridge to understanding my culture more deeply. In Ghana, I felt a sense of belonging I had never felt before. I was able to hear the stories of my family, connect with people who shared the same traditions, and understand the language that shaped my identity. Speaking Twi allowed me to experience Ghana in a way that wouldn’t have been impossible if I couldn’t communicate, and it made me feel truly at home, even though it was my first time there.
This trip also taught me about resilience, adaptability, and independence. Navigating an unfamiliar place, and figuring out transportation in a new country pushed me out of my comfort zone. At times, it was overwhelming, but each challenge taught me something new about myself. I learned that I am capable of more than I thought and that growth often comes from stepping into the unknown.
Most importantly, travel helped me realize how deeply connected we all are. Seeing the resilience of the people in Ghana, hearing their struggles and triumphs, made me want to contribute to positive change in my own community. It’s not just about exploring the world, it’s about understanding it, empathizing with others, and taking action.
This trip has changed me. It showed me that no matter where we come from, we all have a story, and we all have the power to make the world a better place. Traveling has opened my eyes to the beauty of connection, and I want to keep learning, growing, and using my experiences to make a difference.
“Travel is an amazing way to learn beyond the classroom.”
Excerpts from runner-up winner & recipient of a $500 WCC Travel Certificate – Erika R.
Travel gives teenagers a chance to step out of their everyday lives and experience different cultures and perspectives. This exposure helps us grow both academically and personally. By meeting new people and seeing new places, we can learn about world history, geography, and social issues in ways textbooks can’t show us.
One of the coolest things about traveling is learning about different cultures. Visiting new countries or even different parts of our own country lets us see traditions, foods, and customs that are different from what we’re used to. This helps break down stereotypes and teaches us empathy and understanding. For example, if I visited Japan, I might participate in a traditional tea ceremony, which would show me how much they value respect and mindfulness. Experiences like this can really open our eyes to the diversity in the world and help us become more open-minded.
Besides academics, travel teaches independence and problem-solving. Figuring out how to get through airports, managing schedules, and dealing with unexpected situations makes us more responsible and resilient. If I missed a train in Italy, it might be stressful at first, but finding another way to get where I need to go would help me think on my feet. These are skills useful not just in school but in life in general.
I really want to travel to understand global issues better and to see the world from different perspectives. Volunteering in other countries could show me the challenges people face in different communities and inspire me to work toward social justice. More than anything, I want to find myself and see the world to put my life into perspective. After going through so many personal struggles, I believe exploring different cultures and places will help me figure out who I am and what I want my future to look like.
In conclusion, travel is an amazing way to learn beyond the classroom. It builds cultural awareness and helps us grow through real-life experiences. By taking advantage of the opportunities travel offers, teens can gain a broader perspective that helps with both academic success and becoming responsible global citizens.
“Travel is opportunity, it’s connections, it’s culture and it’s growth.”
Excerpts from runner-up winner & recipient of a $500 WCC Travel Certificate – Charlie R.
My parents are firm believers of collecting moments and memories over stuff. They instilled this in me when they put me on my first international flight before I was 2 years old (I have the awkward passport photo to prove it). Over my life, I’ve had to stretch the muscle of meeting new people, seeing new places and acclimating to different cultures. I was born in Montreal (poutine, french and hockey for the win), moved to San Francisco Bay Area (hello fog, hills and hippies) and we’ve now settled in Ann Arbor Michigan (back to cold and getting used to pointing to where I live on my hand “mitten”). Each of these 3 homes allowed me new friendships and different vibes. This has also given me the comfort to aspire to learn different cultures out of the Americas.
So here’s the “why me?” of this essay. When covid happened, I missed the social component of school like most kids did. Thankfully, I’m all good now but I promised myself that I would not waste a minute of my life when I could be forming connections (like a Westcoast Connection- see what I did there?) and experiencing new things. That’s what travel is. It’s opportunity, it’s connections, it’s culture and it’s growth. All things I want for myself and the people around me.
Congratulations to all our scholarship winners! We hope that your travel experiences this summer will provide all these opportunities for you to learn and grow and more.
Want to learn more about our summer programs for teens?