If you want one of the best ways to spice up the journey we call life, then you should definitely consider traveling. Several renowned writers and philosophers have argued that it’s an absolutely important component in our voyage through life. People often share the numerous ways that travel experiences have influenced their lives and outlook. Those same people often recommend others to have similar experiences by doing their own traveling. Yes, there are other ways to truly experience life and enrich our quality of life. But arguably travel is one of the best ways to achieve those goals. Here are some of the key benefits:
1. You’ll encounter a new culture
You can experience this even if you travel in your home country. You’ll have to experience tons of different things that you wouldn’t be able to do by staying home. You’ll learn various aspects of a particular culture. That includes its language, food, customs, etc. Not only that, but you’ll learn their beliefs about more abstract characteristics, such as courage, wisdom, and respect. Yes, it’s possible to learn these things by meeting people of different ethnicities in our home countries. But it’s quite another experience when we live in another country. We become immersed in the cultures.
2. You’ll be more open-minded about the world
This sentiment was shared with Mark Twain, arguing that travel can allow us to have a new outlook on life. Travel allows us to interact with cultures that are different than ours. When we first encounter these cultures, we experience culture shock. It’s at first very difficult to adjust to it. But when we return to our home country we experience something called reverse culture shock. In fact, travelers often share that they’re more affected by the different cultures they encounter, than the buildings they see. Yes, it affects them that much!
3. You’ll comprehend yourself better
How can you know yourself? Travel is undoubtedly one of the best ways to achieve that goal. Travel often puts us in challenging and unusual situations. That’s OK! Some of these situations include losing luggage, not speaking the local language, and being in an unfamiliar environment. But remember that it’s been said that what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger. When we’re in these situations, we not only learn about the area we’re traveling in, but also about ourselves. This is based on our ability to persevere, adapt to our new environment, and solve any problems that we encounter. We’ll know who we really are.
When we travel, we experience more than just seeing old buildings or natural wonders. We learn different aspects about ourselves, due to the different challenges and experiences we have. That’s not all. We’re also able to experience the cultures of different countries and ethnicities. This helps to open our minds, allowing us to see the world in a new light. All of these experiences and memories can last our entire lives. Unlike material things that rust and break down, these experiences can become some of the longest-lasting ones in our lives. We can always relive our travels when we remember them later.