As cheesy as it sounds, Judy Garland’s line “there’s no place like home,” from The Wizard of Oz holds to be true. At least to me it does.

I love my small hometown, with all its little quirks and backroads. The type of place where everybody knows everybody, and word travels faster than you can get it out of your mouth. I have lived there all of my life, and look forward to going back when I can. A town with so many childhood memories and stories, that I know no matter where life takes me I will always be able to look back on them.

However, while I think remembering and loving where you came from is important, I think it is just as crucial to leave.

Whether you grew up in a big city or a small town like mine, traveling out of your comfort zone is something everyone should experience just once. The world has too many beautiful things and opportunities to offer for one to sit back and let it pass by.

While this sort of adventure isn’t for everyone, I encourage anyone to give it a shot.

To just drive, an hour, five hours, however many and just soak it all in. One of my favorite times I ever traveled outside of my hometown was on a road trip out west in the US. I was a sophomore in high school. One of our very first stops was at the Badlands National Park in South Dakota. I remember just sitting on one of the rocks, soaking it all in. Looking out upon miles and miles of God’s beautiful creations, and taking a moment to appreciate something bigger than myself.

Getting out of your home or town allows self-awareness to occur.

The first time I ever traveled to a major city was Washington D.C and it was like a culture shock at first. With so many tall buildings and people running everywhere, it was crazy. As the times change, and the world changes it is important to see our others change too. Now I love going to big cities and seeing all the different sights and people. (pro tip: people watching literally anywhere you go is the best thing ever)

I think experiencing life outside our own little bubble provides so many teachable moments.

It allows you to appreciate what the Earth has to offer.It shows you how others live, and for me served as a reminder as to how blessed I actually was. It puts you in check. For me it also showed job potential in bigger cities, letting me know that I could explore careers that my hometown can’t offer.

So while it is always good to love and appreciate everything your hometown has to offer, don’t forget to take a step outside of it sometimes. Even if that means just going off to college. Athens itself has taught me so much about me and others. Go climb out of your comfort zone, and see things you’ve never seen before in the world.

Trust me the view will be worth it.