I recently watched a video on Facebook of a room full of people that got their DNA tested to see exactly from where each of their ancestors was from (The link for this video is at the bottom of the page.)

Before they were asked if they wanted to get their DNA tested, they were asked a few questions like, “Where do you think your ancestors are from?” and “Are there any countries that you think about that you just do not like?”

Some answered that they didn’t like the French, German, or Turkish people.

Each person, however, talked about the amount of love they have for their country and where they are from.

However, once these people were shown their results, they saw that their heritage comes from all over the world and places they didn’t expect. For the woman that said she didn’t like Turkish people, she, in fact, has Turkish in her.

People that thought they were 100 percent a certain nationality, were actually tons of nationalities put together to make one unique person.

At the end of the video, one woman said, “There would be no such thing as extremism in the world if people knew their heritage." and "Who would be stupid enough to think there is such thing as a pure race?”

I have actually been thinking a lot about this idea but in terms of travel. If people took the time to understand other cultures in the world, then I can’t imagine there would be as much hated as there is.

I believe that hatred is the product of misunderstanding.

If we all realize that there is not one person who has more value than another—no matter race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, occupation or socioeconomic status, then the world would become a better place.

I am a strong believer that traveling makes people grow and have an open mind. Even if it just travels within your country—going to another place and having to adapt to different ways of living, food, language, music, and the people is what makes individuals more understanding towards one another and therefore less hateful.

I truly believe that when a person understands a culture other than their own, they start to see that there are people in other places that are just like them. In the end, every human being needs the same things, food, water, shelter, and love—they just have different ways of achieving these needs.

And every human in the world has people that they love and things they love to do.

A country is more than its oil exports and government—it is its people. Maybe if we remembered this there would be fewer wars and more peace.

Take the time to travel. It helps you realize that there are places out there that are just as nice as the place you grew up, with people who share similarities with you, no matter which language they speak or religion they practice.

Traveling truly opens minds and hearts. Understanding other cultures and people is key to peace in the world.