I Dropped Out of College to Travel

My whole life, school has been my priority. I skipped the 8th grade, dual enrolled at the local college at 14, and finished high school with the majority of my AA at 16. Then, I was tired. I had excelled academically and was the youngest in my graduating class, but at what cost?

I had very few friends. 18-year-old girls don't want to hang out with a 15-year-old. Instead, my three friends were freshmen at the college who happened to be nice and immature enough to include me. I was a wreck mentally and emotionally, not able to handle the stress I'd put myself under.

After high school, I took a year off and worked as a nanny, a cashier, and a sales rep at several high end retailers. I loved it, but decided it was time to go back to school. After two years at a small private college, I found myself back at square one. I was stressed to my breaking point, I gained an unreal amount of weight, and I couldn't stick to a major. I was constantly anxious, my depression at an all time high. I had lost some of my credits from high school in the transfer, but also lost those key adjustment years of base classes to find your interests and passions.

So, I dropped out.

This was not well received. I got every criticism imaginable from my friends and family. No one seemed to understand what a strain this was putting on me.

I moved back home, got a job, this time at a cosmetics retailer, and saved up as much money as I could. Six months later I found out about "au pairing," which is basically a culture exchange. I would go to live with a family, full room and board as well as a little pocket money on the side, and in return I would watch their kids a few days a week and, in some cases, help them learn English.

I began looking for families right away. Originally, I looked in Paris, but after my first family fell through last minute, I turned to Rome. Everything was set up within two weeks of our first conversation and I was due to leave in two months.

When I told my family about this, they all smiled and nodded but no one truly believed me. I'd barely left my home state, let alone gone to live in a different country.

It wasn't until I'd booked my flight that everyone started paying attention. I was going to Rome.

On January 10, 2018, I boarded my flight for Rome, my first time out of the country, alone. I was a little scared, kinda nervous, and bursting with excitement.

I've now been abroad for nine months and I could never exchange the experiences I've had for a degree.

I've not only lived in Rome, but also in London and Edinburgh, and have gotten to experience sides of these cities that tourists can never find. I have friends from all over the world. I've learned a new language. I can cook REAL Italian food.

It hasn't all been fun and easy; I had my fair share of downs, like being homeless in London. It's not a long term career. But for now, for me, it's perfect.