Intentional Travel (a hapless student’s experience getting into the study abroad program of her dreams)

This story is a true story from my college years about the power of intention. When you set your mind to something with perfect certainty and take decisive action, mountains will move (if necessary) to make that intention happen.

“Until one is committed there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness... the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too.

All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favour all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way. I have learned a deep respect for one of Goethe’s couplets:

Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it.

Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.”

— Scottish Mountaineer William Hutchison Murray

Can true love happen in a college classroom?

Can true love happen in a college classroom? I thought so. My junior year at BYU in my American Humanities class I sat next to a boy that I was certain would be “the one.” Rather than paying 100% attention to my brilliant professor Dr. Arthur Bassett, I would pay attention to Joe*. I sat in awe has he tantalized the class with his insight and understanding. Joe taught me how to study and transformed me from a B- student to an A student in just one semester of dating. He was both a humanities major and pre-dental. He sang and played sports. How could anyone NOT love Joe?

As the semester was coming to a close Dr. Bassett announced that he would be leading a study abroad group to London specifically for humanities majors that summer. I knew that I had to be on that trip. I planned on studying abroad for as long as I knew study abroad existed and I was a humanities major. It was perfect!

I had planned on studying abroad for as long as I knew study abroad existed and I was a humanities major.

I also knew I wanted to marry Joe. I wasn’t sure how the two would mix, but I would find a way.

When I turned in my final paper to Dr. Bassett’s office just before heading home for Christmas, he said to me, “You need to break up with that boy.” What?! Why would he say such a thing?

Stunned, I stammered an incoherent response and headed back to my apartment to pack for the break.

All Christmas break, I swooned over Joe and plotted ways for us both to go on this study abroad as a married couple. However, as soon as we returned back to school, Joe promptly broke up with me.

Devastated, I attempted to put my broken heart back together. I met with the bishop (pastor) of my ward (church congregation) regularly. He saw the best in me and encouraged me. As I replayed our relationship out in agonizing detail, my bishop was able to see warning signs that I had missed and began to help me understand that Joe was NOT my person at all. He helped me focus on something to be excited for. For me, this was my lifelong dream of studying abroad. Yes, I was going to study abroad in London!

What I didn’t realize was that my flirting, giggling and general lack of paying any attention in the class of the study abroad director had pretty much annihilated my chances of being accepted into the program.

What I didn’t realize was that my flirting, giggling and general lack of paying any attention in the class of the study abroad director had pretty much annihilated my chances of being accepted into the program. Oblivious to the unlikelihood of me being accepted into the program, I applied. I asked my bishop for a letter of recommendation and prepared for the interview.

At the interview, Dr. Bassett looked stern and unwelcoming. He was intense and serious in a way that I wasn’t used to seeing him. As he asked questions, for the first time I began to wonder if I wasn’t going to be accepted into the program. At the end of the interview, he softened and explained to me his concerns. He didn’t think I was ready for a study abroad program because of my behavior in class the semester before. However, my bishop was an acclaimed former study abroad director and if he could recommend me, then he was willing to take a chance on me. I was accepted into the program!

I was accepted into the program!

Oh! How happy I am that he did. I’m sure there were moments in London when Dr. Bassett wondered why he let me in. I was obsessed with skinny dipping and boys, I was twenty going on sixteen and not nearly as mature as I ought to have been. But I was also highly engaged in the learning process, in love with the study of humanities and enraptured with every moment of the program. That program opened my heart to living abroad and intensified my desire to see the world. It changed me.

I had no idea the uphill mountain I was climbing when I decided to study abroad. I had no idea the damage I had done in the first semester of my American Humanities class. I had no idea that the break up lead to a strong relationship with a faculty member who would be the only reason I would be accepted into the program. I had no idea about any of it. I was a clueless college student who was determined to study abroad.

What are some of your dreams?

What are some of your dreams? What if you were a little more certain about one of them? What if you took bold action regardless of the circumstances and situations surrounding you?

What could you do? Where would life take you?

Big or small. Your dreams and goals matter. Whether it’s getting to Hawaii, going back to school, starting a business or driving a new car follow this formula to get started:

Set an intention (decide).
Brainstorm a list of potential actions step.
Take a step.
Take another step.

Then repeat as often as needed.

I have used this formula throughout my life. It works. I promise.

Now it’s your turn! Let me know in the comments below what your intention is.

*name has been changed