Students travel for education, adventure

By SAMANTHA MACKINNON

When Mitch O’Shea was only 20 years old he made the choice to drop everything and move to Europe.

Along with three other friends, who would be his roommates, he packed his belongings and said goodbye to the only place he had ever called his home.

It’s not an uncommon story to hear that university-age students are travelling Europe, it seems to be a place on most 20-somethings list to explore. But that doesn’t necessarily mean there is only way to explore it.

O’Shea was in the middle of his third year in university when he felt it was the right time to go.

The move was just like any other, he had to find a job and an apartment and adapt to their way of life, he said.

“I was more about learning life lessons and experiencing life in a different part of the world and getting to meet new people and see new things.”

Four months later, 20-year-old Bethany Fitzpatrick made her decision to travel Europe too. But her travels would be much different, as she would travel with a group from the University of Prince Edward Island along with Memorial University in Newfoundland to study in England.

Fitzpatrick says for a biology major like herself, the prospect of living in Harlow (England) was more important than the studies she would be doing there.

“I will admit leaving I was a little worried looking over the English literature we’d be reading.”
But along with Fitzpatrick’s schoolwork in Harlow, she would find every Thursday-Monday free of classes, where many of her schoolmates would take mini-vacations.

It’s cheap to fly once you’re in Europe already, she said.

Kayla Dunsford, a 19-year-old English major on the same trip, was completely taken in by the prospect of learning about the history of England right there.

The trip was something she was planning to take on her own long before the idea of going with the university arose, she said.

“I’ve always had a trip in my mind to explore Europe, and now I’m doing it without lacking credits for graduation when I return. It’s kind of perfect.”

Fitzpatrick, on the other hand, will come home short of some science courses she needs to graduate in the four years she had planned.

“I’ll be taking summer courses, and full course loads if I want to graduate with my friends.”
Despite the educational benefits of travelling with the university, O’Shea remains content with his decision to travel on his own.

“I do not regret a thing about the decision I made,” he said.

Whether you’re travelling with a university or simply with a few friends, every traveler agrees that you’ll still be spending a lot of money.

If one thing was changed for his trip in particular, O’Shea says he would have saved up a lot more money.

“I won’t lie, a lot of it got spent on shopping trips.”

Fitzpatrick says the range of people you will meet on your trips is so rewarding by itself.

“I’ve met people from all over the place, and they’re so taken in by the fact we’re from Canada.”

Although Fitzpatrick’s mother is less than optimistic about her meeting too, too many new people.

“She rented Taken and made me watch it before I left.”

The movie looks at a young girl travelling Europe when she is kidnapped and sold into the sex trade.

Travelling in too big of a group can be intimidating to some people, challenging whether or not you’ll meet too many locals, said O’Shea.

“When you’re with one or two it’s pretty perfect, beyond that you’re kind of intimidating I find.”

Fitzpatrick and Dunsford are staying in dorms in England, so the move has been a smoother transition they find.

O’Shea, on the other hand, lived in an apartment and really got a feel for what it’s like to be out on your own.

“You’re dealing with landlords and bills and there’s really no one there to help you out if you mess up, but that’s all just a part of it!”

All three agree everyone should experience the trip, no matter which way they decide to travel.
Dunsford says she had never left home before the trip.

“It’s absolutely weird when you first get there, I’ve been having my share of homesick moments, but it’s worth it.”

Fitzpatrick’s mom went to England to visit her. She says it’s nice to feel at home.

“She may be checking in to make sure I didn’t get kidnapped, but it’s nice to see her again.”

O’Shea is already has a plan in the works to get back to England to do it all over again.

But this time he’ll be taking a different route, he says.

“I might try travelling with the university this time, so I can do my travelling but complete my education at the same time.”

Either way, he’d do it again in a split second.

“It’s an amazing way to step out of your comfort zone and really experience everything you’d ever want to.”