“A fine moment in a man’s life, I believe, is when he leaves his prison of routine and departs into unknown lands.”
Everyone has a desire to explore. As humans, we naturally seek adventure, it is curiosity that powers us to leave our familiar environments and travel into unknown territories. As an international college student,, I have learned to dislike staying in one place and being stuck in the same routine, day after day. It can feel incarcerating to some extent, not being able to find time or money to afford a plane, bus, or train ride to a new state or country. Whatever the motive, business, pleasure, or emergency, I believe one can learn a lot about culture, society, and oneself from being surrounded by a completely different environment. Studying to specialize in International Business has turned me into an advocate for traveling to different countries. I always like to say, “If traveling were free, you would never see me again.” There are so many benefits to traveling, these are three reasons why you should consider traveling more often.
1. Because it will give you a broader perspective.
No matter how far away one is from home, traveling makes you realize that everyone is very much the same. I am currently studying in the U.S., I was born in Europe, and raised in South America, and these experiences have been more than enough to open my eyes to the fact that, in spite of the difference in language, skin color, appearance, food, culture, etc., deep down to the core, everyone just wants to find fulfillment, love, and purpose. Whether it is struggling financially or trying to make their families happy, everyone shares the same kinds of struggles. Therefore, going to such places to meet such people will give you such a new perspective on life. You could possibly think you have an understanding of a culture based on what the mass media paints for you, but once you step into that new world, you may find a completely different reality. Experiencing different customs and lifestyles will bring a new and refreshing perspective on things that can turn out to have the strongest impact on your life.
2. “A journey is best measured in friends, rather than miles.” – Tim Cahill
Developing lasting relationships is, for me, one of the biggest reasons why I love to travel. I’m a firm believer that when one embarks on a journey, one is creating the best opportunity to create lasting, valuable, and meaningful relationships. Some of the most impactful friendships can simply become those that you make on the road, and that is a beautiful thing. While I was in the Netherlands, I thought not being able to speak Dutch was going to be a major barrier to making friends and getting places. However, I quickly realized I didn’t need to be able to speak the local language to make a new buddy. Whether it's through food, dance, or hand motions, there are a variety of ways to connect with people abroad. This leads me to the third reason.
3. You learn about yourself.
Truth be told, being in Bermuda for one summer made me feel like I learned more about myself than the whole year I spent in college. Traveling to a new environment, especially by yourself, will help you develop skills you didn’t know you had. You can’t imagine how independent you can become until you move away from everyone you know and love and take on the challenge to journey into the unknown. Traveling to Bermuda on my own, and without knowing anyone, may have been a little too spontaneous for me, but it did end up to be one of the best decisions of my life, in addition to the good stories the trip made. Adventures like these will make you want to do big, daring things by yourself, as becoming more independent and confident will make your experiences that much more meaningful.
My encouragement to anyone, whether caught in a routine or not, is to plan to travel soon. Find a place that is unfamiliar to you. Traveling doesn’t have to be about going overseas. It can be as simple as crossing the street. Wherever it may be, learn new things, eat different things, and do things that you never imagined doing. If you are a college student like me, I challenge you to work hard and save money to go on that adventure you always wanted to go on, but never did. You will reap the benefits in the workforce or when applying for a job. Go travel, make wise decisions, meet new faces, make lasting memories, and come back with great stories. Bon Voyage!
Works Cited
Connelly, Michael Alan. "10 Reasons to Travel Alone." 10 Reasons to Travel Alone. Fodor's Travel, 8 July 2015. Web. 04 Mar. 2016.
