While waiting for a train to arrive in Agra, India, I was approached by barefooted child beggars cloaked in filth. Their hair was disheveled, their clothes tattered, and some staggered about the platform with their naked baby brothers and sisters perched on their hips. The children dejectedly held their hands up to passengers attempting to avert their gaunt, murky faces. A sister and brother stood before me.

 I gave the remainder of my bottled water to the young girl, which she quickly grasped and gulped. Behind me, a British couple took two apples from their backpacks to hand to the siblings; the children’s faces lit up. Their eyes, which were initially downcast, grew bright. Their stooped bodies became erect; wide grins stretched across their faces. After taking a few bites, the elated children began shaking passengers’ hands. I initiated hand games. They then began playing catch with their apples, letting them plunge into the dirt yet continuing to eat them. Eventually, the young girl threw the apple so hard at her brother that it zipped past him and struck a bearded beggar lying on the ground. He threatened to strike the boy with his cane, so the two scurried off without their barely eaten apples. In just minutes, the situation went from dismal to hopeful and back to dire. Though I thought we were helping immensely, our efforts were wasted.

This represents just one of the life-altering moments I experienced while circumnavigating the globe on Semester at Sea. My travels throughout Europe, Africa, Asia, and Central America enabled me to acquire a global perspective that I feel is imperative to a news organization. My time abroad fostered a fascination with the cultures that comprise our world and has helped me to better comprehend and articulate the issues of today.