The Power of Connection: How Travel Shapes Who We Become

By Ava Deitrich, Student Services Coordinator at OIE

Connections with others and the stories we share are the foundation upon which relationships, meaningful understanding, and lasting community are built. Stories remind us of a simple but powerful truth: while every one of us is unique, we are all deeply connected. They allow us to see ourselves reflected in people whose lives may look entirely different from our own, creating empathy where there was once distance.

When I was younger, I dreamed of traveling to the places that lived between the pages of my favorite books—the cities, landscapes, and cultures that existed in the spaces between each word. Those places felt almost mythical, existing only in stories I could imagine but not yet experience. Today, slowly but surely, that dream is becoming my reality.

Travel has always been a passion of mine—not simply because of the destinations, but because of the people I meet along the way. Every journey offers an opportunity to connect with new cultures, hear different perspectives, and discover the common threads that unite us despite our differences. Those experiences have transformed travel from a personal passion into a lifelong pursuit of learning and understanding.

The Transformative Power of Cross‑Cultural Connection

Working in international education has given that passion a deeper purpose. Every day, I have the privilege of building relationships with students, colleagues, and communities from around the world. Whether I'm welcoming new international students during orientation, coordinating cultural programming, or simply sharing conversations over coffee, I am reminded that education extends far beyond the classroom. It lives in our conversations, our friendships, and our willingness to learn from one another.

This work has allowed me to grow not only as a professional, but as a person. Supporting students through their transition to a new country has strengthened my empathy, broadened my perspective, and reinforced the importance of creating spaces where everyone feels they belong. In return, these students have taught me just as much as I could ever hope to teach them. Their stories, resilience, and traditions continually inspire me to become a more thoughtful educator and a more compassionate global citizen.

A Friendship That Redefined My Understanding of Culture

Perhaps the greatest example of this came in 2022 when I met someone who would become one of the most important people in my life. She had just arrived at the University of Northern Iowa as an international student from Kerala, India. From the moment we met, our friendship came naturally. What began as a campus connection quickly became something much deeper… a friendship built on trust, laughter, curiosity, and countless shared experiences.

When it came time for her to return home, saying goodbye didn't feel like enough. Instead, I packed my bags and traveled halfway across the world to see the place that had shaped the person I had come to love like family.

Traveling to Kerala was far more than an international trip; it was an invitation into another way of life. I had the incredible privilege of meeting her family, experiencing daily life in her community, sharing meals, celebrating traditions, and seeing the world through her eyes. Those experiences gave me a profound appreciation not only for Indian culture, but also for the incredible generosity that exists when people open their homes and hearts to someone from another country.

What began as a chance encounter in the heart of Iowa became a friendship that crossed oceans and borders. It reminded me that some of life's most meaningful relationships are formed when we are willing to embrace the unfamiliar. A forever friend. A once-in-a-lifetime experience. A connection that continues to shape who I am.

Japan: The Joy of Shared Discovery and the Reflections That Shape Connection

More recently, I had the opportunity to travel to Japan with a coworker who has since become a close friend. What began as a professional relationship evolved into another reminder that some of life's greatest adventures are shared. Together, we explored vibrant cities, peaceful temples, historic streets, and landscapes that had long existed only in my imagination. Along the way, we discovered that travel has an incredible ability to strengthen friendships. Conversations during long train rides, moments of quiet reflection in beautiful places, and the excitement of experiencing a new culture side by side became just as meaningful as the destinations themselves.

Japan offered more than breathtaking scenery and remarkable history; it reinforced the value of curiosity, adaptability, and cultural appreciation. Every interaction, whether navigating daily life or learning local customs, reminded me that meaningful connection transcends language and geography. International education has introduced me to extraordinary people, and those relationships continue to shape both my professional journey and my personal life in ways I never expected.

Experiences like these have reinforced my belief that travel is not about collecting passport stamps or checking destinations off a list. It is about cultivating relationships, exchanging stories, and allowing ourselves to be transformed by the people we meet. Every place I visit offers a new lens through which to understand the world, while every conversation challenges me to grow in empathy, humility, and curiosity.

Continuing the Journey of Global Connection

As I continue my career in international education, I hope to keep building bridges across cultures; both on campus and around the world. This profession gives me the extraordinary opportunity to combine my greatest passions: education, travel, and human connection. It allows me to support students from every corner of the globe while continually expanding my own worldview.

There are still countless places I hope to visit; not simply to see them, but to understand them. I want to sit around dinner tables with local families, learn new traditions, hear stories that challenge my assumptions, and build friendships that transcend geography. Whether it's reconnecting with friends in India, exploring somewhere new with colleagues who become lifelong companions, or meeting people whose stories I have yet to hear, every journey reminds me that the most meaningful souvenirs we bring home are the relationships we build along the way.

The world becomes smaller with every genuine connection we make. Every friendship, every conversation, and every shared experience has the power to change us. Looking back, I realize that my childhood dream was never simply about visiting new places; it was about discovering the people who would forever become part of my story. Thanks to my work in international education, that dream continues to unfold with every student I meet, every friendship I form, and every journey that reminds me just how beautifully connected our world truly is.