I'm currently studying mechanical engineering at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, and I couldn't imagine being anywhere else! The university has opened countless doors of opportunity since my freshman year, but I started off pretty small. I was born in Houston, Texas, grew up mainly in a suburban area called Katy, and was extremely shy as a child. Between my outgoing mom, dad, and two sisters, I was definitely the quiet one growing up.
One day, during my senior year of high school, I pretty much woke up and told myself I was going come out of my comfort zone. Deciding to attend college 19 hours from home was my defining moment. It peeled back my shell and sparked something in me to expand myself. At the age of 18, after my first year in college, I moved to Kentucky to complete a co-op with Toyota that lasted seven months. It was literally my first job. I didn't realize at the time, but that internship is what started to change me. I met new people, explored Kentucky, and took random trips around the country with the money I made. I went back to school for the Spring semester, but couldn't help but feel the urge to venture off to a new place. So, that summer I did another internship in California, and then moved to Thailand in the Fall to study abroad for five months. Thailand was my first time out of the United States, and it expanded me even more. Back at school for another Spring semester, I was making amazing grades, but constantly felt miserable because all I wanted was to be exploring Southeast Asia again. That summer I moved to New Mexico for another internship, and then flew to Italy to explore Europe with my Japanese roommate. I came back for school, and now here I am on February 15, 2016. This morning I woke up and just started thinking about my life. As cliché as it sounds, I realized how much travel has changed me. It has made me more open-minded, more independent, more fearless, more adaptable, and quicker at problem-solving. Everyday I have the strongest urge to just pack up and leave for a new adventure.
I first created this website as a blog to document my travels for myself. Nobody knew about it but me. However, today I decided to change it into something public. I realized how important it is for students to get out and explore the world. I thought back to the time when one of my peers asked me WHY I was going to all these different countries, and when another told me that she doesn't want to travel because of the lack of other black people. I thought about the students out there who are just as shy as I was, and afraid to break out of their shells. The students who want to travel, but think it’s too expensive for their college budget. Im striving to inspire others to go abroad by making the opportunities clearly visible and attainable. In my college years I’ve learned some important lessons: 1) facing fear and taking risks is essential to growth; 2) most things and people aren't as scary as they seem; 3) plans aren't always required… it will work out eventually; 4) every person you meet has a different background and a different story to tell.
My hope is that this website inspires at least one student to take a step towards cultural exploration. I want African American students to understand the importance of expanding their horizons. I want everyone to be fearless and know that anything is possible. There are plenty of other African American students who feel the same way as I do about traveling. I think it is our duty to spread the word to our peers and young children about how much it will change their lives. Therefore, I started by calling on my classmates at North Carolina A&T State University to tell their own testimonies. Together, I think we can tremendously impact the Black community and the whole world.
-With Love,
Kia
One day, during my senior year of high school, I pretty much woke up and told myself I was going come out of my comfort zone. Deciding to attend college 19 hours from home was my defining moment. It peeled back my shell and sparked something in me to expand myself. At the age of 18, after my first year in college, I moved to Kentucky to complete a co-op with Toyota that lasted seven months. It was literally my first job. I didn't realize at the time, but that internship is what started to change me. I met new people, explored Kentucky, and took random trips around the country with the money I made. I went back to school for the Spring semester, but couldn't help but feel the urge to venture off to a new place. So, that summer I did another internship in California, and then moved to Thailand in the Fall to study abroad for five months. Thailand was my first time out of the United States, and it expanded me even more. Back at school for another Spring semester, I was making amazing grades, but constantly felt miserable because all I wanted was to be exploring Southeast Asia again. That summer I moved to New Mexico for another internship, and then flew to Italy to explore Europe with my Japanese roommate. I came back for school, and now here I am on February 15, 2016. This morning I woke up and just started thinking about my life. As cliché as it sounds, I realized how much travel has changed me. It has made me more open-minded, more independent, more fearless, more adaptable, and quicker at problem-solving. Everyday I have the strongest urge to just pack up and leave for a new adventure.
I first created this website as a blog to document my travels for myself. Nobody knew about it but me. However, today I decided to change it into something public. I realized how important it is for students to get out and explore the world. I thought back to the time when one of my peers asked me WHY I was going to all these different countries, and when another told me that she doesn't want to travel because of the lack of other black people. I thought about the students out there who are just as shy as I was, and afraid to break out of their shells. The students who want to travel, but think it’s too expensive for their college budget. Im striving to inspire others to go abroad by making the opportunities clearly visible and attainable. In my college years I’ve learned some important lessons: 1) facing fear and taking risks is essential to growth; 2) most things and people aren't as scary as they seem; 3) plans aren't always required… it will work out eventually; 4) every person you meet has a different background and a different story to tell.
My hope is that this website inspires at least one student to take a step towards cultural exploration. I want African American students to understand the importance of expanding their horizons. I want everyone to be fearless and know that anything is possible. There are plenty of other African American students who feel the same way as I do about traveling. I think it is our duty to spread the word to our peers and young children about how much it will change their lives. Therefore, I started by calling on my classmates at North Carolina A&T State University to tell their own testimonies. Together, I think we can tremendously impact the Black community and the whole world.
-With Love,
Kia