Travel when you are young & able folks!
I have been very fortunate to travel extensively throughout the world while still young. I have visited most of the continental United States, plus many cities in Hawaii. I also have traveled abroad to many countries in six out of seven continents. I have also lived as an expat in Cost Rica for a little over a year and close to 2 years now in South Africa. I wouldn’t trade my experiences for the world, and I still have so many countries yet to visit on my “Travel to do list”. Based on my personal experiences, I recommend every young person get out of their hometown or comfort zone and see what’s out there.
Unfortunately, the area I grew up in didn’t have much diversity for the most part. Everyone looked and acted basically the same. When I traveled, I learned about other cultures. I realized that my life could be enriched by developing friendships with people who didn’t look or act like me. Far from my hometown, I developed friendships with people who were nothing like me, but were exactly what I needed. This taught me to embrace, not fear, experiences and relationships that were outside my comfort zone. It also taught me the importance of communication skills.
When you travel, you learn how much you truly have that you take for granted. Many people live in poverty that is unfathomable to those who have never walked their streets and heard their stories. Watching the wars and famines on the news takes on a whole new meaning when you have a personal connection with the people there. You lose the callousness and egotistic attitude that can sometimes develop when you can’t relate to that region of the world. And, it compels you to help others and give back.
Traveling pushes your educational horizons. I think it’s the best for of education for anyone these days. Traveling makes history come alive. The stories are no longer pictures in a book, but tangible memories you remember much longer than anything you could study in school or any history books.
I think a lot of young people put off traveling because they want to be responsible, work hard, get married, have kids, and build up a life. However, I think it’s a mistake to put off traveling in exchange for the belief that you can do it when you retire and have more time. While I certainly plan to continue to travel after I retire, I also realize I am not guaranteed old age. If something happens and I don’t live to see my forties, fifties, or sixties, I will have no regrets. I have experienced the world to the best of my ability by taking every opportunity presented to me to see all of this gorgeous planet that I can. Traveling has made me the person that I am, and I’m so grateful that I have plenty of years left with this version of me to continue the adventure.
