Spring break is right around the corner, so hopefully most of you all are packing your bags and heading somewhere for the week. I am your stereotypical twenty-year-old when it comes to travelling. I want to pack my bags and see the world, because I think that if there is any time to see the world, it’s now. It also does not help that my impulsive decisions take over, and I agree to go wherever. I don’t mind spending a lot of money on travelling because I love the experiences that come with it. Is that cheesy? Maybe so, but I truly think that traveling is good for the soul. So why is travel so great?
1. You get to see new places.
If you are a college student and you left your hometown to come to college, then one of your reasons for leaving home was probably because you wanted to see a new place. Travelling presents that opportunity to see new places and things, and it is so cool to be able to see pictures of places and say, “Hey, I’ve been there.”
2. You get to meet new people.
For the extroverted of extroverted, traveling is great way to meet new people. Heck, even if you’re introverted, Whether you’re in line for food, waiting in an airport or walking around the town, there are people everywhere to meet. It’s such a cool thing to see different people or to say you have a friend in another country. Plus, knowing people in another country makes traveling cheaper for future trips.
3. You're exposed to new cultures.
There is something humbling about learning another person’s culture that really opens your eyes to this world. I love America with all my heart, but after hosting foreign exchange students and visiting different cities and countries, I can say that I love other cultures too. Learning about another person’s culture gives you some insight as to the way they live. You begin comparing your culture to theirs. On some topics, you’ll think, “Wow, that is so cool!” and on others, you’ll think, “I am so blessed.” Either way, it’s a learning experience. You don’t lose.
4. You can learn about a different country's history.
What better way to learn about history than visiting the places where it took place? There are museums, architecture, paintings and so much more to see, and within them lies an abundance of information that no textbook could teach.
5. You build character.
I have always believed that leaving a place you’re familiar with makes you a stronger, better person. Experiencing different cultures, people and lifestyles changes your perspective on the world. It makes you more open to trying new things, and it helps you realize how both different and similar other people are to you. Even if it’s just leaving small town Kentucky and traveling to a large city like Chicago or New York, you learn a lot. It’s wonderful. It’s addicting. It’s exhilarating, and everyone should go for it while they can.
