Ever since I can remember, I dreamed of seeing the world. Even as a young child, I would spend time looking at pictures and reading about other states and countries in the encyclopedias at the library. When internet access became a daily part of my teenage life, I spent time on Google looking into study abroad and volunteer programs that would allow me to travel. I had a serious thirst to see other places, experience other cultures, and to see how this diverse world looked outside of the midwest.
Now, on my final year of my undergraduate degree, I can proudly say I’ve gone to work on my dreams. I’ve seen seven new states and five new countries in my college career alone, not to mention the traveling I was able to do in high school or the numerous new cities I’ve been able to visit. However, by no means does that imply that I’m done, in fact I feel as if I have just gotten started. Many people will say things like, it’s time to find a job, a town, a house, it’s time to settle. But for me, to settle has never been my plan, and I doubt it ever will be. For me, change is what makes life worth living, I crave adventure, I crave newness, I love to be constantly evolving as an individual and I honestly think that requires being exposed to things I haven’t been before.
So, as I prepare for graduation, while some may be excited to reach “the end” I am planning my next adventure. Researching for my next trip consumes my free time, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Because I am a working student in my early twenties, it may seem financially impossible to travel as much as I do/plan to. However, for me, this is actually the best time to travel, and here’s why.
It’s time to explore and narrow my options.
As someone in her early twenties, the world is still incredibly open to me. Traveling and using the knowledge and skills I have gained in my undergrad career in different atmospheres will help narrow my passions, and help me form a path to whom and what I want to be as a young professional. It’s amazing what you can learn about yourself when you learn about the world around you.
I have more time now than I will likely ever have again.
At this point in my life, I do not own a home, have a career, have children, etc. I am as free as I will ever be, in many contexts. I do not have anyone to answer to and what I do with my time is what I want to do with my time. So why would I not use this time to travel?
The future is not guaranteed.
Although it is likely that I will be blessed with around 60 more years on this planet, the universe makes no promises. So, in thinking about what’s most important for me to achieve in my life, traveling comes before owning a house, getting a job, or getting “settled.” We all like to pretend that we have time, but we don’t. Time is an abstraction, but your dreams don’t have to be.
It is not financially impossible, or even irresponsible.
Many people like to respond with a phrase, which in full disclosure I have grown to hate more than most phrases when I tell them about my travels/travel plans: “must be nice.” And sure, maybe that phrase would be appropriate to say to someone who has parents who pay their tuition, rent, and even travel expenses. However, I am not one of those people. Shifting finances around and saving money is in fact often not so nice, but it’s not impossible. Things like eating out, going for drinks, expensive clothes, subscriptions, are not necessities and can be cut out of expenses in order to save for travel. And yes, sometimes it is hard to stay in while all your friends go out, or to not buy clothes from anywhere but thrift stores for nearly a year, but accomplishing your goals is so worth it, and even makes you realize that you don’t need a lot of the things society has taught you to believe you need.
I want to be a well-rounded, well-educated adult.
Regardless of which field of study you are interested in, travel can and will enhance your knowledge and understanding of what you are doing with your life. Getting to see how people in your field operate in other regions of the world can improve your own problem-solving skills. Further, learning to appreciate other cultures and ways of being in the world helps shape you into a more open-minded and understanding person, which the world quite clearly needs.
Lastly, and perhaps more personally, I want to experience the world with the one I love.
Finding a partner in your early twenties is perhaps a rare thing, and although I am no die-hard romantic, I do want to experience as much of the world with the person I love before we start our careers. After graduate school comes our first job, then first promotion, first house, etc., seemingly life will start rolling and won’t take a break. So instead of waiting for a future holiday, honeymoon, etc., why not go now? We are young and able and have the time and the desire to see and experience new things, so why not grow as individuals and as partners?
