Name

Date

I have always dreamt of flying – to feel the wind touching my skin and see the world in a

new point of view. However, human nature does not allow such capabilities unless assisted by

technology. And, having or experiencing this kind of technology will cost a lot of money. From

skydiving to paragliding, only a few, lucky people have enjoyed these types of activities.

Therefore, one of my goals is to either skydive or paraglide within the next year.

Choosing between skydiving and paragliding would be an easy task. I just have to browse

the web for the cheaper and the closer one to my area. I’ve already done this task and I found out

that a skydiving center is only 40 minutes away from the university. Also, according to some

reviews, its price is relatively cheaper than others. As I am seeing it now, skydiving is becoming

closer and closer to reality. This is an experience that can be easily achieved by anyone in the

community today. Several years ago, the experience of skydiving and paragliding makes the two

hobbies exclusive for rich people. At this moment, more and more middle class citizens can avail

the service of literally flying in the air.

The cost of one jump ranges from $165.00 to $275.00. The first task I am setting for this

goal is to save up money to reach the minimum of $165. I may reach the $275 mark depending

on my spending needs for the next months, but I am first and foremost pegging my goal to $165.

To do that, I will save $20-$30 each month starting October. Thinking about it is actually an easy

task. I just have to have the will to set aside a few dollars and remove temptations to spend on

unnecessary things. My ambition to complete this task is so high that I am willing to sacrifice

some of my luxuries.
 The next thing would be to prepare myself for the jump, mentally and physically. To do

this, I will read up on skydiving. In so doing, I am not only preparing for the budget entailed by

the experience, I am also preparing my mind and emotional state to the act. The web, magazines,

and books are rich resources to gather information on this. I may also have to contact the center,

do interviews, or observe the trainings for the jump. I can also search for videos or facilities that

simulate skydiving. Today’s technology has made all of this possible. Thus, it will be very easy

for me to prepare for this experience.

Another goal of mine is to travel to another country of different culture and ways of

living and immerse myself to their community. I would love to know more people and look at

how they live their lives. Knowing that we are living in a world full of other people and other

cultures besides your own and not able to do anything about it is sad. I can’t begin to think that

we are still limited by geography. We are in a world where transportation and

telecommunications are used for advancing the economy, society, and each individual’s desires

and needs.

I am fixing this goal to be reached after I graduate from the university. Considering the

time and effort this goal would entail, I’ve decided to do this before or during my working years.

This is so I would not be bound by my family or academic life. I am also considering the cost for

this travel. Such limitations can be overcome with patience, discipline, and strategic planning.

The first task for this goal would be to find the most feasible and most interesting country to

travel to. For this to be feasible, I am going to look for regions which have the lowest cost of

living. For the interest aspect, I will consider countries that are quite distinct from the culture I

have grown up with. This includes religion, ethnicity, and social values. Gauging all these
indicators, I would have narrowed all the countries down to one to two regions. I could do this

during the last year of my stay in the university.

The next step would be to study intensively the chosen country. I will develop a portfolio

of dos and don’ts, the five w’s and one h (who, what, where, when, why, and how), and other

things that will be essential to survive the immersion. I would look for a point person who could

help me be oriented with the chosen country. Part of this goal is to understand and appreciate the

other culture so I would always keep an open mind in this activity.

Also, I would have to prepare myself to be more accepting towards the diversity of

people and their communities. During those trips, I might meet individuals who have different

views in life. As a guest and traveller, I should be more accepting about the cultural differences

of the people. I am at their homes and places not to judge them but to understand them better. In

order to prepare for this, I have to read books and researches about the practices of people that I

am visiting. In so doing, I am acquainting myself regarding what is normal and what is not in

their cultures. Culture shock is one thing that I must avoid at all cost. My failure to do so would

mean that might not be able to enjoy that trip that I will undergo.

The budget for the trip is the most difficult hurdle in achieving the goal. Saving up would

be helpful but would not entirely solve the problem. I may have to undertake extensive measures

such as conduct fund raising events or solicitations, apply for extracurricular jobs, or other

income-generating activities that would come to mind. I could join organizations that are

intended to help people achieve these things or ask friends with similar goals to do this together

so as to minimize the costs and effort. Preparation is the best way to handle the pressures and

necessities of travelling. Planning ahead of time and foreseeing possible challenges along the

road is a good way of ensuring a smooth travel.

My two top goals in life are to experience skydiving and to travel to other countries. I know that

to do them, I have many preparations to do. Nevertheless, I can achieve these goals through

planning and preparation. Here is the list of my goals alongside their deadlines:

Skydiving Experience

Research about cost of skydiving November 2018

Read up about skydiving November 2018

Saving up for the skydiving experience February 2019

Physically prepare for the skydiving February 2019

Medical examination to make sure that health allows skydiving March 2019

Actual skydiving March 2019

Travelling to Other Countries

Watch television shows to research about best countries to visit November 2019

Decide on which countries to visit December 2018

Apply for VISA to allow entry to other countries January 2019

Read blogs and travel journals on cheap ways to travel November 2018

Save up money for travel in two South American countries April 2019

Learn basic Spanish words to allow better communication with locals April 2019

Actual travel to other countries May 2019

Write articles and post photos about the trip June 2019