There is something addictive about traveling. Nothing compares to that exhilarating moment when you step out of your comfort zone and immerse yourself in a new culture. Nothing excites your soul more than waking up in a new city, ready for a busy day of exploration. It has been said that travel is one of the few things you can buy that makes you richer. Whoever said this, was right. Travel truly enriches your life. It is one of the world's greatest teachers, offering its students many valuable lessons about life. Here are 15 lessons that you can learn from traveling:

1. That experiences > material.

Someday you will find yourself lying awake in a nursing home reminiscing about your life. When this moment comes, what do you think you'll be thinking about? Chances are, you won't be thinking about any of your "stuff." You will think about the people you've loved in your life and the memories you've made along the way. You will remember the time you built up enough courage to bungee jump, or the time you backpacked Europe or the time your family got lost on a road trip. And all your stuff? It's probably sitting in your garage, acquiring dust. Travel teaches you the importance of collecting moments instead of material; for is the moments that have the most worth.

2. To be grateful and complain less.

The more you travel, the more you see how fortunate you really are. Many people don't have access to the luxuries you have. Availability of fresh water, a roof over your head and a comfortable bed are just a few of the many things you often take for granted. Traveling really puts things into perspective and teaches you to be grateful for what you have.

3. That patience is truly a virtue.

There is no doubt that your patience will be tested one time or another during your travels. Regardless of your destination, you will inevitably have to do quite a bit of waiting. Flights last hours on end, lines are almost always long and layovers can be a pain. Through these experiences you learn that there's a big difference between waiting and being patient. The difference is this: Patience requires having a good attitude while waiting does not. Having patience can turn a nightmare of a wait into a fun time. It's all about perspective.

4. That you are capable of more than you think.

Traveling is no easy task. You must decipher railway schedules, race through busy airports to find connecting flights and somehow find your way in new cities. You will inevitably make mistakes, but you will also make some victories. These accomplishments will give you a newfound sense of confidence in yourself that you will take with you in life. It's a pretty good feeling to know that you are capable of almost anything you put your mind to.

5. To be yourself.

There is no doubt that you will run into some interesting "characters" during your travels. Whether it be the "Naked Cowboy" of New York City or simply a quirky stranger at a bus stop, you learn to admire these unconventional people. While others view their antics as strange, you recognize the courage behind them. In a world full of social standards and judgmental people, it takes guts to be yourself. Through this you learn to celebrate your quirks and imperfections instead of hiding them. You learn to confidently embrace your weird and wonderful self. Life is too short to try to be someone you're not.

6. To roll with the punches.

Nothing ever goes as planned when traveling. Luggage gets lost, busses are late and hotel rooms are different than they appeared in the brochure. Instead of letting these misfortunes ruin your trip, you learn to make the best out of the situation. On a broader spectrum, that's how life is too. Life loves to mess up those plans that you try so carefully to make happen. Instead of getting down about it, you learn to adapt. You do this because you know that it is the people that make the best of every situation that are the happiest in life.

7. To slow down.

It is easy to grow accustomed to the fast-paced way of life in America. There is nothing wrong with this lifestyle, but sometimes it is nice to slow down. Traveling to countries with a less-rushed way of living teaches you that it is OK to take it easy. Enjoy the quiet times. Savor each and every moment. You can miss out on life if you are always in such a hurry. What is the rush anyway?

8. That everyone has their own definition of success...and that's OK.

The more you travel, the more you will discover this. Success means different things to different people. People tend to define it in a way that is entirely unique to them. Some people hope to cure cancer while other aspire to advance space exploration. Some people yearn for an exciting life of fame and fortune while others simply desire a quiet, peaceful life. Some people want to settle down and start a family while others seek to travel the world. All these aspirations can be considered success; There is no right or wrong way to define it. What you must discover for yourself is this: What's your definition of success?

9. That an act of kindness goes a long way.

There are many languages in this world, but the language of kindness is universal. A kind act, whether it be an act of service or simply a smile, truly goes a long way. When someone treats you with kindness you are inspired to treat others in the same way.

10. To never stop seeking knowledge.

What a shame it would be to never attempt to learn about the world around you. Be curious. Ask questions. Stay open-minded. You can broaden your horizon significantly by making it a habit to continuously seek knowledge everywhere you go. You will be surprised how much you can learn if you just attempt to listen.

12. That we are not so different.

We may have different cultures, religions and lifestyles, but we are all human. We all experience joy, fear, pain and anger. Travel opens our eyes to this and teaches us to be more tolerant of others. We are all kindred spirits.

13. To make new friends.

Traveling is a great way to make friends. It teaches you how to interact with a wide variety of people and find something in common with them. The friendships you form while traveling are very special and are ones to hold on to.

14. To put the phone down.

Traveling teaches you how to create a fulfilling life -- not the appearance of one on a screen. Why spend hours creating a travel board on Pinterest when you could actually go to those places? Through traveling you learn to appreciate the people around you instead of seeking empty validation from those on social media. You learn that the key to technology, like many things in life, is moderation.

15. That there is no place like home.

As you can see, traveling is an incredible experience that can teach you many valuable lessons. One of the most important lesson it teaches, however, is the importance of your home. This doesn't necessarily mean your literal house, but more your "day-to-day" life. While traveling can be very rewarding, you must create a home life that is equally rewarding. You must create a life that you do not need a vacation from. That is truly one of the greatest lessons you can learn from traveling.