Did you know that as few as 11.6 million Americans, approximately 3.5% of the population, travel abroad each year? Even when we do travel abroad, most of the trips that we take only last an average of one week (Chalmers). So many of us barely get outside the little bubble that is the world we have known most of our lives. At least most of us can say we have lived for an extended period in more than one state, because there are some people who have not even accomplished that. There is literally a whole world out there beyond our nation though. A world waiting to be seen, explored and marvel at. America is a wonderful place, but if you only experience America you are likely to only ever understand the world from America's perspective. To be a truly informed, educated, and intelligent individual, it is important to gather a global perspective. There is no better way to do that than to travel abroad and see other nations and other cultures.
If you have managed to get out of the States and spend time in another country at all then you have done quite well. However, a week or two or even a month will hardly give you a complete and proper perspective of another people. It is my belief that people should invest in actually living out of the country for an extended time rather than visiting a short time. The sooner the better too. You are never guaranteed this later in life, especially if you begin a promising career and start a family. It isn't as expensive as you might think either. So let's talk about why it is worth it.
Getting out of the country to see the world is a once in a lifetime opportunity for most people, and you should try your best to do it now while you're young. If you want to get married now, then get married and go on a world tour together. Living in another country will change the way you live, as well as the way you think, both of the people here in the states and people in other countries. You will even look at yourself differently. Another advantage of living abroad is you get to make memories and experiences you will always look back on with fondness. You will have done something so few people ever do and it will make you more interesting to people you meet. It can even improve your career chances.
It's true that many big businesses value employees who have travel experience, and that is double if you know the language or languages of any of the places you visited. If you have spent an extended amount of time in another country, living there for months, then you probably have learned the language pretty well. That is assuming you interacted with the locals, which you absolutely have to do. There is no better place to learn another language than a place where it is the native tongue. When you live abroad you gain really valuable skills and/or experiences that will take the rest of your life to the next level.
Don't quit with just traveling and living abroad though. You have to get a little crazy in while you're young and don't have anyone relying on you. Go hiking in remote and beautiful places in nature on the other side of the world. See some of the world's most famous sites but also go after it's most unique experiences. Go to the swing at the end of the world in Banos de Agua Santa in Ecuador (YouTube). Ride in a glider plane, which has no engine or propulsion of any kind and flies by riding rising air currents. Live like a local on the floating islands at lake Titicaca in Peru. Go scuba diving at the Great Barrier Reef.
Want more? Then climb Table Mountain in Cape Town, South Africa. If you have the means, stay in an underwater hotel, or better yet, an ice hotel on top of the globe (don't worry it's warm enough) and watch the Northern lights dance above you as you look on in awe (ICEHOTEL). If you're really feeling crazy, do something like motorbiking or biking in Vietnam or Volcano trekking in Mount Etna. The options are really endless and you should check out these websites here and here, to get you started on your adventures.
Seize the day my friends. Carpe Diem. Go out and be inspired. When you return hopefully you will be much wiser and full of maturity ready to contribute something great to humanity with your life. Everything is a story, so make yours a good one!
Chalmers, Williams. The Great American Passport Myth. Huffington Post. November 29, 2012.
Taber Holidays. Tree Hotel and Ice Hotel.
