Over the past weekend, I went on a trip with my best friend to retrieve her bag that she had accidentally left on a train the night before. Fortunately, the bag contained a tracking device, which led us to Viareggio, a small coastal town in Italy. While boarding the train from Florence, we were approached by an older woman dressed in blue. I was skeptical about her, believing she might be a pickpocket. She sat with us on the train and after a while she joined our conversation, which helped me to feel more comfortable.
She shared stories of her life, including her childhood in Canada, her relationships, and, most notably, her extensive travels around the world. As she recalled the events of her travels, each story had a central theme. She explained that with every journey, she left behind a part of herself and gained something new in return—what she referred to as her “souvenirs.” For her, these experiences were more valuable than any material possession, as they fostered openness, personal growth, and new perspectives.
She remarked that she could tell I had not traveled much, noting my initial guarded reaction. She then shared a quote that stayed with me: “A ship in the harbor is safe, but that’s not what ships are made for.” She credited travel with helping her develop a strong sense of identity and self-love. Interacting with different cultures taught her how people care for themselves in unique ways—whether through quiet reflection in Italy, structured self-care and boundaries in France, or joy and community in Brazil. Her perspective of her travels and of her life have left an indelible impact on me and now influence how I see the world and how I will remember my travels.
Before parting ways, she offered me her own “souvenir.” She wrote a letter emphasizing that self-love is not selfish, encouraging me to begin my own journey toward it. In that short period of time that I spent with this older woman has had a profound impact on me. It reminds me of something my grandfather once said “ When the student is ready the teacher will appear”. As I compose my thoughts I now realize she reshaped how I view travel and prompted me to reflect on what I hope to carry with me—and leave behind—through my own experiences.
Lilyana C is studying business administration with minors in healthcare administration and marketing. She is studying abroad at Università Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore
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