The closer you get to finishing college, the more often you get questions about what you plan to do with the rest of your life. Most of the questions are centered around a career and what job you want to do, but an equally important question is "where?" Throughout many conversations with people facing the same decisions, it occurred to me that many of them were just planning on going back to their hometown to pursue whatever career path they have chosen.
By no means is there anything wrong with that plan. That being said, it is so important to be open-minded and remember that there is life outside that town. After all, how can you decide that is where you want to spend the rest of your life if you have never been anywhere else?
Going to college in a town that isn’t the one you grew up in is a good start, sure, and it is an even better start if it is in a different state. No matter where you end up going to college, make it a point to visit as many new places as you can. Traveling can be expensive, but there are plenty of ways to help lower the costs (without making your trip sketchy). The life experience you will gain will far surpass any financial burden that traveling may pose.
Even if you don’t get a chance to leave the country, America has 50 states that each have something unique to offer! Even city to city in the same state will help broaden your horizons a little bit more, every city is different. The more places you are able to visit, the easier it will be to have a wider selection to choose from when you start thinking about where you want to end up. It is also easier to make a decision to move somewhere if you have already been there, so applying to jobs outside of your hometown won’t be as overwhelming.
Aside from the benefits of finding more places to potentially move to and settle down, traveling teaches you a lot about yourself and others. Traveling takes you out of your element, forcing you to step outside of your comfort zone and try new things. It also helps you learn to be independent because you can’t rely on the comfort and predictability of home.
If you travel with friends (highly recommended), choose carefully. While traveling has the potential to strengthen friendships, you have to make sure you will be able to overcome the challenges of traveling without wrecking the friendship. Plus, even the most amazing travel destinations can be ruined by a crappy travel companion.
At the end of the day, whether you travel with a big group of friends or take on the world alone, travel often and see as many new places as you can. Don’t limit yourself to the place you were raised, you won’t truly know if you love it if you don’t have anything to compare it to.
