The world is a large place. To some people, it's a bit daunting to think about going abroad, while, to others, it just doesn't seem worth the money or the time when they could be building their careers. But if you stop and think about it, you might want to reconsider what you are planning on doing next summer.
1. Family time is precious time
Whether you are a high school kid "stuck" with you parents, a college kid in his/her last years with the family, newlyweds, parents, or grandparents, you only have a dwindling amount of time with these people. Even if you don't have a family of your own, you probably have a few friends you wouldn't want to go anywhere without, and this applies to them too! The time you have left with your family or friends who have become a family is only getting shorter, so go out and make some memories.
2. "It's too expensive" is a myth
Yes, there are things in life that are stupid expensive, but there are plenty of things to do and places to go that aren't. You might just have to get over the fact that you don't need to fly first class, stay in a five-star hotel, or rent seven jet skis because you think that will make a great picture. How about try a road trip, stay in a cheaper hotel, and do the cheaper things. Just because it's cheaper doesn't mean it is less fun. There's also this thing called saving money that is pretty effective. I have traveled to three countries out of the USA, and almost 30 states before I turned 20, and it's not because I'm living the high life. I have two educators for parents, and I worked a minimum wage job. Nothing's impossible.
3. To become more open-minded
Today's world is going crazy thinking people are always judging without understanding- and some people are! Go somewhere you've never been to see things you've never seen so you can understand things you don't know! Be a foreign exchange student, go on a mission trip, travel to a different part of your country to understand why people believe certain things. In the USA, if someone offers something, turning it down politely typically comes off as being humble, but if you did that in Cusco, Peru it would be offensive. People are brought up with different beliefs and customs. Don't just learn about them- go experience them!
4. To experience things, you wouldn't at home
This is pretty self-explanatory, but if I hadn't gone to Peru I wouldn't have gotten to try cow heart unless I had ordered it on Amazon- and let's be real, I don't trust that. If I hadn't gone to Nicaragua, I never would have zip-lined through the jungle. If I hadn't gone to live in England for a month, I wouldn't understand what it's like to live in a house built in the 1500s. If you don't go, you won't know, so go and get out of your comfort zone!
