travel teaches us

• What Travel Teaches You: 23 Travelers Share Life Lessons From the Road
• June 28, 2023

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• Digital Nomad

One of the most important realizations I’ve had during my travels around the world: it’s not the place you’re in (or the work you’re doing, people you’re with, etc), it’s about the mindset. It’s always mindset. In this post, we hear from digital nomads who share life lessons from traveling the world.

Blake Miner

Travel  is the best teacher. It can open your eyes to new cultures, new landscapes and new ways of life. With every new place you visit, you gain a greater understanding of the world around you and what it means to be human. 

So pack your bags and get ready for an adventure, because travel is guaranteed to teach you something new. These digital nomads give insights into what travel teaches you as they share their most important life lessons learned.

Ready? Let’s go!

Life Lessons Learned From Traveling the World

We're more similar than we think.

Human nature at its core is good

Keep an attitude of gratitude

View the world through the lens of opportunity

Life is yours for the taking

Travel without set plans

Expect the unexpected

Get in touch with your core self

Experiences trump things

Develop a sense of wonder

Go with the flow

Appreciate the feeling of "home"

You can design your lifestyle

Appreciate humanity

People are inherently kind

You are a product of your environment

Mindset is everything

Learn to be an observer

The importance of sharing

Experiences trump possessions

People are inherently good

Carry minimal possessions and keep an open mind

A Final Word

I’ve been fortunate enough to meet some of the most inspiring, interesting and brilliant people on my travels and have learned a number of important life lessons .

I hope these insights have given you an idea of what travel teaches you and inspired you to go on an adventure of your own.

The best part is that these insights are all things you can do yourself by simply picking up your bags and heading out into the world—no passport required. They can be applied no matter where you are!

What have you learned from your own travels? We’d love to hear about it in the comments below!

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10 Lessons That Travel Has Taught Me

Written By: Renuka Walter

Inspiration

Updated On: November 16, 2022

I have always believed that travel teaches you without a scorecard. It enriches you gently. When you step out to see the world – meet people, get acquainted with different cultures, taste new cuisines or simply breathe in an unfamiliar city – you learn a lot!

Learning through travel happens naturally – you don’t have to try too hard. It’s all about losing yourself into the arms of a new environment.

You have to first shrug off the ‘safe’ and ‘tried and tested’ syndrome and delve into the unexplored with a free spirit.

Table of Contents

Lessons Travel Taught Me

Travel has taught me a lot.

It has taught me so much that I am even keener to learn more through it. Let me share 10 things that I have learned from my travels so far.

Value little things

Travel has opened my eyes to small, ordinary things of life- things that are undervalued, but have great significance.

Now I am more conscious towards waiters, chauffeurs, florists, vendors and any random person whom I come across on my vacations.

I have a deeper sense of respect for them, because they are the ones who make our travels smooth for us. 

I often make it a point to interact with people, and that makes my travel experience even more rewarding.

Travel Broadened my perspective

Now I have a much better perspective of life. I have come out of my shell where all I knew was my family, my relationships, my job, my struggles and my life.

Travel has opened new doors for me – I can see different aspects of life.

I can understand what is important and what can be sidelined. It has helped me think beyond the traditional mindset that there is more to life than the usual.

Travel helped me open up

I have learned to interact with people.

I am an introvert – I don’t speak much when I am around people I don’t know. But now because of travel I have started interacting with people on my travels.

I am not saying that I instantly become friends anybody and everybody, but I do initiate conversations with random fellow travelers.

I believe if you don’t interact with your fellow travelers and the locals of your destination, you barely experience a place.

Travel Boosted my confidence

I have always been as confident or as nervous as any other person, but travelling has instilled a new level of confidence in me.

I am certainly more confident of myself as a person today than I ever was.

When you travel, you have to manage so many things on your own – from booking accommodation to deciding where to eat and lots of other things that you do independently.

At the end of the day, there is a sense of achievement that you have explored a destination on your own and that’s a big deal!  

I know my priorities in life – I’m more confident of myself now.

Travel Gave Me Purpose

Ever since I have started travelling, I know my priorities very well. I

know that I want to travel as much as possible. I know what I have to save for, what makes me happy and what I have to seek in life.

When I was not travelling, life was a usual rat-race and my priorities were work and money.

I didn’t know where I was going. I was clueless about my own ambition in life.

Travel has given me a clear direction and purpose.

Travel Made Me Less-Selfish

It may sound funny, but travel has helped me shed my selfish side.

I have always considered myself a sel- centered person. But travel has nudged me to look around and see life.

Now I am able to view life in all its hues.

I am able to relate to all kinds of people. I can think beyond my own challenges and realize the adversities faced by others. I’m able to look at others with compassion – everybody has challenges to deal with.

Travel Has Given me variety

Travel has introduced me to try new things and to be open to new cultures, people, food, architecture, landscape and so much more.

I have learned to appreciate the variety that life offers.

We don’t understand it till the time we begin to travel.

Now I wonder how some people get bored in their lives, when life has such wonderful things to enjoy. We just need to step out of our homes and discover the immense beauty out there.

Travel Sparked my Creativity

Through travel I am a more creative as a person.

By creativity, I don’t mean that I have learned a new skill. I simply mean that I have become more creative in my day-to-day living.

Travel opens our minds so much that we begin to see something interesting in everything – it could be something as simple as preparing a meal or arranging books on the shelf.

Travel Made Me More Grateful

It’s human nature to grumble about things.

But when we travel, we are able to negate such things with ease. I have realized that I have developed an attitude of gratitude.

I am more excited and thankful about life than I ever was because of my travels.

Made me more knowledgeable

Ever since I have started travelling and mainly started writing about my experiences, I have also been able to improve my world-wide knowledge.

As they say, travel is the best education.

Now I read a lot about destinations, different cultures, traditions, cuisines and other things. I look forward to learning about new things.

Now I find myself more equipped with knowledge, which has eventually made me a wiser person.

So that was my ode to travel. But that’s not all – I am sure there is much more that I must have learnt! And I will continue to learn throughout my life.

How has travel changed you?

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About Renuka Walter

Renuka is a writer/photographer and a travel blogger from India. Through her blog, she aims to inspire and awaken people to travel. She has been a native in four different cities in India and would not mind more city-hopping in the future. When she is not travelling, she likes to be a tourist in her own city. Follow Renuka at VoyagerForLife / Facebook / Pinterest

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29 thoughts on “10 Lessons That Travel Has Taught Me”

Nice travel blog..

What a brilliant read. Thanks for sharing this. I loved when you said complain less and be thankful. A lot of people just forget to be thankful 🙂

I also wrote about what travel has taught me and how it is taking my life story ahead. Do read my article and let me know if you like it 🙂

Great post – travelling teach us so many things. Confidence, open-mindedness, knowledge and much much more. I think you nailed it 🙂

We also wrote about our experiences from 2016 on our blog – a kind of status on the year. http://freerangetravellers.com/the-9-most-important-realisation-from-my-travels-in-2016/

That’s very well put, Jaryd! Travel actually reveals the beauty of life, which we fail to discover in our safe and routine lives.

I find the greatest thing I have learnt from travelling is wisdom and comprehension of cultures around the globe . What I mean by this is that travel teaches you unique things you can’t learn unless you travel from everything you see, smell, feel and comprehend. You learn more than you honestly imagine and it definitely makes you a lot wiser than what you would be if you were to stay at home stuck in a 9-5 bubble that doesn’t allow you to explore and gallivant.

Great post. Travel has helped me with all of these lessons as well. The big one for me is overcoming my introversion – still working on learning how to talk to strangers. I sure have grown over the past year of traveling.

Good for your Laura, you are right, travel definitely pushes you to be an extrovert. It can be difficult to talk to people, especially when you are an introvert, but it you have a lot more fun and experience more when you are open to talking to people. Congratulations!

That’s wonderful to know, Laura! Travel really helps us to rediscover ourselves.

Glad travel has brought so much growth in your life, rock on!

Thanks Steven 🙂 The journey of growth has just begun… the learning is everlasting!

Love it! Rock on is such a positive saying. It put a smile on my face. Thanks!

Great post! For me, the most important thing I have learned from traveling was “coming out of my shell”, stop being shy and start getting “more social”.

That’s so true, Natalia! Travel helps you rediscover yourself – even I was shy and reserved, but travel has made me a lot friendlier.

Wonderful Natalia! It sounds like travel has done amazing things for you too!

I think they should do away with self help books and people should simply travel. It always seems like this is the best way to grow and mature as a person. I think staying in the same place allows people to get bogged down with unnecessary worries. Seeking some sort of drama and excitement where otherwise life would be too static or dull.

I’m starting my travels in September and they couldn’t come soon enough. I look forward to writing a post like this myself. You are an inspiration.

Thanks! That’s nice to know, Kate! Travel helps us find the true meaning of life. It makes our life more worthwhile! People who don’t travel keep themselves from experiencing, learning and growing.

We agree, travel certainly helps people learn and grow. It’s one of the best ways to educate yourself while having fun!

Well said. Before we travelled, we read a lot of self help books. It wasn’t until we purged our lives from all the unnecessary expenses like two cars, big house, lots of bills and finally pursuing our dreams that we felt fulfilled. I spent years reading about how to improve my life, but travel is what finally helped me live a happier more fulfilling life.

Totally agree, Dave and Deb! Travel is one thing that squeezes out all the pain out of your life – the unnecessary desires, greed, anxiety, competition – everything fades away when travel is your priority.

Travel has taught me I’m a much more flexible person than I thought I was. Also someone recently described me as “adventurous” and I’d never thought of myself that way at all. However, I guess to people who don’t travel I am adventurous.

That’s so nice, Lisa 🙂 True, travel helps you rediscover yourself. Now you know that you are adventurous – because you enjoy stepping out of your comfort zone.

You are so right. People who travel and try new things don’t necessarily feel adventurous, but to others we are. It takes a lot of courage to try something new and to travel on your own. We feel that travel makes everyone more adventurous. It’s wonderful

You said “I often make it a point to interact with such small people” , why they are small ? Because of the job they are doing for living ? Or they are not tall enough ? Maybe should be re-worded a bit, people can understood it differently (like I did)

I didn’t catch that word in my editing Anja. Thanks for pointing that out. I believe that it may be a language barrier on Renuka’s part. After re-reading it I don’t think that she meant to offend, but instead didn’t use the right wording. Hopefully Renuka will reply with what she meant. I took out the word ‘small’ as I would never describe an occupation that way. Dave and I are former waiters, and I chauffeured many a person around when I was a production assistant in the film industry. All people in life are important, never small. Thanks again for your comment.

Thanks Anja for your comment. 🙂 Yes, I totally agree that no occupation is small. However, things in India are a little different. Here people are considered small. My intention for writing ‘small’ was not small, but to highlight the importance of such people who help us during our travels – waiters, drivers and the like. I’m sorry if it didn’t sound good. I have deep respect for everybody.

Well said Renuka. We did notice quite a difference in culture while visiting India and it is wonderful that travel has helped you see the importance in everyone. We think travel breaks down boundaries in all aspects of life.

I agree with all of it! I certainly think that mingling is key to getting the most from travel – and that you should try harder to mingle with locals than with fellow travellers, although you will learn so much from both.

That’s true Arianwen. 🙂 Mingling with locals is certainly more rewarding. It gives you an interesting perspective about the place.

Well said Arianwen, mingling with everyone is a good thing. We’ve got some of our best tips and made some of our greatest friends from meeting fellow travelers as well as the locals.

22 Important Life Lessons We Can Only Learn If We Travel

It doesn’t matter where you go exactly. It just matters that we’re leaving hometowns and exploring completely new cultures, cuisines, and countries.

Read update

More things people learn from traveling.

Travelling is known to change you. Surrounding yourself with different cultures, different people and different outlooks on life are bound to change all of us a bit. That’s one of the greatest things about travelling as a whole – apart from tasting the different cuisines of course! You are on a constant learning curve as you venture from the US to Europe to Asia and so forth. It can be a scary thing at times, especially if you don’t understand the language. Ultimately, however, travelling will be the best thing you’ve ever done for yourself. That’s because travel broadens our minds and expands on our worldly wisdom.

Many people travel for the sole purpose of personal growth. But you should also know that travel isn’t all glory...there are ups and downs to it just like everything else in the world. You are going to deal with challenges along the way, but that’s part of the whole experience. Doesn’t all personal growth surface from personal challenge? After getting a taste for international travel, arguably it is best to solo traveler for the most immersive experience .

For the most part, traveling is the most fun and rewarding experience we’ll ever have. It doesn’t matter where you go exactly. It just matters that you’re leaving your hometown and exploring other countries and cultures.

Let’s take a look at some life lessons we can learn from traveling.

UPDATE: 2022/12/02 14:44 EST BY AARON SPRAY

Traveling can really change people's perspectives on the world. There are other parts of the world that are wildly different from wherever one's home is (often they are difficult to accept). This article was updated to include more things people would learn from traveling around the world.

22 Travel teaches us: To leave our comfort zone

If you always stay at home and simply flit between work and home, you’re not really leaving your comfort zone. You’ve found a comfortable routine in your life where your heart doesn’t need to skip a beat all that often. Travelling brings about the opposite effect. You are forced to leave your comfort zone whether you like it or not, because you are in a new country with a new culture and things are different. You are leaving behind friends, familiar foods, and often a familiar language. Entering a new territory, however, is exhilarating. There is no better feeling than expanding your horizons and coming home with endless stories.

21 Travel teaches us: To be more patient

When you travel overseas, not everything is going to flow like you want it to. In your home country and your hometown, you’ve probably grown familiar with how things roll. But when you travel to other parts of the world, obstacles are going to arise and you are going to have to find a way to deal with them.

Whether it’s struggling to get your point across in another language or losing your luggage along the way, you’ll definitely become more patient the more you travel. Learning how to deal with these little challenges is the best lesson in patience ever.

Related: What Cuisine You Should Try, Based On Your Vacation Preference

20 Travel teaches us: To appreciate cultures and their differences

Isn’t the best thing about travel experiencing new cultures? We all learned about cultures back at school, but it’s not the same. Actually experiencing a culture is totally different. From visiting museums, admiring landmarks to eating out in a local restaurant, you are exposing yourself to people and lifestyles that are usually totally different to what you find back home. You don’t have to stay in a country long before you start picking up local customs.

The vast difference between one country and another’s culture depends on the countries themselves. But generally, every new country you visit will teach you to appreciate new cultures.

19 Travel teaches us: To enjoy life over possessions

Many people believe a new car, a new house, or a new something will make them happy. Actually, humans need very little to find happiness in life. That’s a life lesson you’ll learn from travel. When you have to pack so lightly and bring only the essentials, you rely more on your experiences for pleasure. Sleeping in rundown guesthouses and hostels is something you learn to live with.

The joy of travel comes from the experiences you encounter, not the possessions you bring with you. This is when you start to realize that all the things you needed back home aren’t needed anymore.

18 Travel teaches us: Making friends with strangers is freeing

It’s easy to build a global network of friends as you travel. If you are travelling alone, you will especially find yourself in need of some human interaction. The good news is, finding traveler friends isn’t hard. When you meet travelers, they are usually happy to hear your story and share theirs too. You both have that mutual love for travel, which only strengthens the bond. If you are travelling solo, you will never be alone with all the travelers out there to befriend. You just have to stick your neck out a bit if they don’t speak to you first.

17 Travel teaches us: Being alone isn’t a bad thing

Traveling alone does get lonely, we’re not going to lie. When you are constantly saying goodbye to friends and entering a new territory, there will be those lonely moments. It can be especially lonely when you’ve spent the day sightseeing with nobody to talk to about it.

On the other hand, being alone also gives you time to reflect on your experiences. You won’t be distracted by outside opinions and you also won’t have to deal with conflict of interest and activities. This is your journey and you can do what you want. Going to bars, eating meals in restaurants, and walking around a city alone will soon feel familiar and not scary in the least.

16 Travel teaches us: To try new things

If you got offered a snail appetizer in your home country, you’d probably refuse right away. When you visit other countries around the world, you will get used to being offered or served unusual and maybe even unappetizing foods. Over time, it will become normality and trying new things will be part of your DNA.

Every culture has its own foods and customs. Although it might be hard at first, you’ll soon adapt to trying new things – even if you wouldn’t try them back home. Travel broadens your mind and pushes you to do the new and not hold back.

Related: Readers Say These Countries Have The Best Food In The World

15 Travel teaches us: Forget about the plan

As rigid as your travel plan may be, most of the time your travelling schedule does not go according to plan. That’s why you have to embrace spontaneity when you travel. You never know what’s going to crop up when you travel so it’s always good to just forget about the plan and go with the flow. Besides, you have enough rules in your home life. Now is your time to find your impulsive side and let your travelling journey guide you. Drifting is one of travel’s best pleasures. Instead of making a strict plan, just drift and see where it takes you.

14 Travel teaches us: To Discover new cuisines

One of the most enjoyable parts of travel is trying the different foods around the world. There’s no point in just sticking to the food you know when you travel abroad. Visiting new countries gives you the perfect opportunity to try new things. And that in itself broadens your mind and your taste buds. In fact, some people say you can learn a lot about a culture from its food.

If you’re the kind of person who sticks to their steak and fries, traveling will open your eyes to all the other wonderful dishes out there available for you to try.

13 Travel teaches us: To Find beauty in small things

We tend to take things for granted most of the time. We sometimes fail to see how special something is until we travel. With travel comes new perspective. It makes you appreciate things more – especially the small things. And normally you will find that it’s the free things that give us the most joy in life. When you travel, you will encounter at least a few curveballs along the way. It’s during and after these moments when you start to find beauty in small things like friendship, food, and even the rising sun. We stop taking things for granted and start opening our eyes.

12 Travel teaches us: To think outside the box

Once you leave your country, things aren’t going to be the same as what you’re accustomed to. Little obstacles will occur and you’ll have to find a way to deal with them. Maybe you have no wifi for directions, maybe the restroom is a hole in the ground…like it or not, you will learn to think outside the box.

Thinking creatively is a major life lesson you’ll gain from traveling the world. There are always going to be bumps in the road. If you can find a way to deal with them, it will be much easier and less stressful. Traveling allows you to adjust to new situations easier.

11 Travel teaches us: Lessons come in the most unlikely times

Especially if you’re traveling solo, you’ll find yourself making conversation with everyone around you: on buses, trains and planes throughout the world. Each new person you meet offers an intriguing story and maybe even a shred of wisdom.

When you surround yourself with a variety of different people during your travels, you will learn a lot. Forget what you read in the books. You learn a lot more when you’re out there in the world . Through your conversations, you will learn to respect how different your lives are. You will also learn that most of us, in spite of the cultural difference, want the same thing ultimately: happiness.

10 Travel teaches us: To Accept kindness and humility

Without even realizing it, most of us follow a cynicism attitude towards people. It’s a great shame because we sometimes overlook genuine kindness in the world. When you travel, expect to meet a whole variety. Not everybody is going to be kind, but accept that some people are. Meeting people through your travels will teach you to accept kindness – sometimes even from strangers. And it is your job to be open to invitations.

Accept the chai latte from the shop owner, accept the invitation to the local family wedding, and accept kindness whenever can - the rewards will be joyful.

Related: 12 Tips For Surviving Long-Haul Flights In Economy Seating

9 Travel teaches us: Amazing things lie on the other side of fear

Fear paralyzes us. A lot of us miss out on so much because of fear. Travelling alone, for instance, may be something you’ve always wanted to do. What stops you from doing it? Aside from money, it’s probably fear. You overlook all the excitement and focus on all the bad things that could possibly happen.

Sometimes, you need to do the things that scare you the most because on the other side of that fear, you’ll discover the most amazing things. Push yourself to do new things, try new things, and push through those feelings of fear. It’s the most liberating thing ever! If one is traveling to an unusual destination, then one should find sources that give reliable on-the-ground advice .

8 Travel teaches us: Smiling is a universal communicator - smile more

Although it’s always good to learn a few phrases in the local language, smiling is a universal communicator. Sometimes you won’t always be able to get your point across or make conversation with people as you travel around the globe. The good news is, you always have gestures you can use. One of them is smiling and it’s the best way to show people that you’re approachable. Frowning, on the other hand, does not.

Frankly, you can’t go far wrong in a foreign country if you smile. You can express many things with a smile: happiness, friendliness, gratitude. Traveling teaches you the importance of smiling.

7 Travel teaches us: We never stop learning

Wherever you go in the world, you will also learn, see and discover new things. Travelling is definitely a learning opportunity. That’s why it’s usually the most curious of personalities that long to travel. Every day you can learn something new.

This isn’t exclusive to traveling because you can still learn something new in your everyday life. But when you travel, the opportunities to learn come in abundance. You’ll be exploring and discovering new cultures, new people, new foods - everything is a learning curve and a chance to broaden your mind.

Every experience and every conversation you have teaches you something new.

6 Travel teaches us: Failure is a learning opportunity

Take it or leave it, not everything is going to go to plan when you travel. You are going to fail at some things and it’s going to be hard. Maybe it’s the language barriers or the inability to accomplish certain things during your travels. Either way, travel teaches you that failure is a learning opportunity.

So what if you messed up the local word and asked for rotten eggs instead of bread at the grocery store? Nobody apart from yourself cares anyway. All you can do is accept that you made a mistake and learn from it. That is all we can do: learn from our failures.

5 Travel teaches us: Health is the most important thing we have - take care of it

We all take our health for granted at times. When you travel, you need to take extra care of your health – particularly if you are alone. In a foreign country, it’s not always going to be easy to get understood or maybe they don’t have the right medication.

If you get sick during your travels and find yourself in a foreign hospital where nobody understands a word you’re saying, you will definitely learn to appreciate your health.

Outside of your home country, things work differently. It’s good to realize that your health is the most important thing you have. Take care of it, nourish it and do your best to stay healthy.

Related: Your Guide To The Most Peaceful Countries In The World

4 Travel teaches us: To adapt quickly

Some of the most unbelievable situations may crop up during your travels. Unless you want to go back home and give up your dream of seeing the world, you need to adapt – and fast! If not, you’ll never appreciate the greatness of travel. Anything can happen when you travel. Sometimes you find yourself in various situations and you need to find a way to solve problems quickly and without getting totally stressed out.

Once you’ve travelled to a few different countries, you’ll soon realize that the things that seemed like a big deal in your home country are now totally minor issues.

3 Travel teaches us: To discover our own powers

Being alone in a foreign country can teach you one or two things about yourself. For starters, it makes you realize just how much you can handle being alone without the help or support of friends and family. When you’re away from everything and have all that time to yourself, you’ll be surprised how zen you feel.

Even when you face difficult situations, you’ll find a way to overcome them. You are more receptive to new experiences when you are alone and it can be one of the most transformative experiences in your life.

Probably the most important lesson of all that comes from travelling is that you are more powerful than you thought.

13 invaluable life lessons you learn through travel

Recently updated on August 1st, 2023 at 02:07 pm

Travel is one of life’s greatest teachers. It pulls you out of your comfort zone and plunges you into the unknown. It reveals a world of cultures to explore and people to meet. And it helps you develop virtues like patience and humility. So whether you explore a new neighbourhood or a new country, here are 13 of the best life lessons you can learn through travel.

1. To enjoy experiences over things

One of the greatest lessons you’ll learn through travel is that we need very little to be happy. And it’s not cars, phones or clothes that make us happy – it’s our experiences. A study published in the Journal of Psychological Science revealed that experiences provide more lasting happiness than material possessions. A Trafalgar study showed that 74% of people would rather have experiences over things. When you travel, you’ll form strong bonds with people, learn new skills and create lasting memories.

2. To leave your comfort zone and try new things

If you want to flourish in life, you must get out of your comfort zone and embrace the unknown. If you always stay in a well-worn routine, you’ll never truly expand your horizons. When you travel, you leave behind the familiar and take on a world of new things. You’re constantly learning through travel, with new cultures, friends, foods and languages. You may feel excitement or even fear, but usually never boredom… and it will be one of the most rewarding things you ever do.

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3. To appreciate different cultures (and our similarities)

One of the best parts of travelling is experiencing different cultures. When you visit a new destination, you become immersed in a culture’s history, language, customs and cuisine. You’ll get to see famous landmarks like a historic temple or palace, take part in a traditional festival, eat at a local restaurant and even try speaking a few phrases. And as you explore the cultural differences, you may also come to find that we’re all not so different after all.

4. To be patient

Travelling teaches you not to sweat the small stuff. Whether you’re facing long lines at the airport or having trouble communicating in a foreign language, you’ll likely encounter many small frustrations on your journey. These little obstacles are a valuable lesson in patience, and at the end of your trip, you’ll be able to deal with almost anything.

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5. How to make friends with strangers

When you’re learning through travel, you open yourself up to a world of human interaction. Whether you’re meeting fellow travellers on the road or swapping stories over a glass of wine with a local, you’ll find plenty of people are open to chatting. Strike up a conversation, and you might just make a new friend. RELATED CONTENT: 5 benefits of solo travel (And how it will change your life for the better)

6. To never take nature for granted

One of the best things about travel is exploring the natural beauty of the world. On the flip side, you’ll also witness the fragility of our planet. You may visit destinations where clean drinking water is a luxury or where natural disasters have caused mass destruction. You may see forests disappearing, coral reefs dying, or glaciers melting before your eyes. When you travel, you learn to appreciate every natural wonder, every sip of clean water and every bite of healthy food.

GET INSPIRED BY: Best of Switzerland

7. To be spontaneous

You may be a rigid planner at home, but travel teaches you how to go with the flow. Your travel journey won’t always go to plan and when obstacles arise, you must embrace your impulsive side. Sometimes it’s better to let go of the schedule and take a spontaneous adventure. You never know what you may find, and that’s the beauty of it!

8. To appreciate the little things

We’re often so busy in our daily lives, we forget to appreciate the little things. When you travel, you take time to slow down and reflect on your experiences. You treasure the beauty of things we often take for granted, like watching the sunset, savouring a delicious meal, and cherishing your friendships. Travel teaches us it’s the little things that count.

RELATED BLOG: 3 ways Trafalgar’s Make Travel Matter experiences connect you to a destination 

9. To be humble

When you open yourself to learning through travel, you are often humbled. You’ll realise just how small your footprint is in our enormous world. You’ll understand how lucky you are and how much you may take for granted in your daily life. You may also often encounter acts of kindness and generosity from strangers who have far less than you. Travel quickly teaches the value of humility.

10. The importance of smiling

We always advise Trafalgar guests to learn a few phrases in the local language before travelling to a new destination. It allows you to communicate more easily with locals and can spark some wonderful interactions. But for the times when words fail, you can always count on a smile. A genuine smile is a universal communicator and expresses friendliness and gratitude. Travel teaches that you can never go wrong with a smile.

11. How to think outside the box

When you travel, there will always be bumps in the road. Anything can happen, from getting lost or getting sick, to dealing with lost luggage or flight delays. You’ll often need to deal with problems without getting completely stressed out. Travel teaches you how to think creatively and adapt to all sorts of situations.

RELATED BLOG: What to pack: Travel Directors share their top tips

12. You are capable

One of the most important lessons you learn through travel is that you are more capable than you thought. Travel teaches you confidence, independence and freedom. It boosts your self-awareness and your problem-solving skills. Travel shows you that you can navigate a foreign country, make new friends, and overcome difficult situations. When you realise how powerful you are, your travel journey becomes one of the most transformative experiences of your life.

GET INSPIRED BY: Italy Belissimo

13. You never stop learning

“When you stop learning, you start dying” Albert Einsten

Just because we’ve left school doesn’t mean our education stops. Learning keeps us young, and travel is one of the greatest teachers of all. Travel inspires a sense of wonder and discovery, and there’s an entire world of things to do and people to meet. You could explore a forest or walk down a new street. Try a different cuisine or learn about another culture. When you travel, you never stop learning.

What life lessons have you learned through travel? Let us know in the comments below. ..

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15 Life Lessons Learned From Traveling

Liz is a collector of grand adventures. She first discovered her passion for meaningful travel wh...

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They say that travel changes you. When you choose to indulge in your wanderlust and see the world, you will rarely ever return as the same person. More likely, you’ll come home as a more confident, independent, self-aware human. A better human. So what is it about travel that’s so life-changing?

After traveling meaningfully, you’ll never be the same.

There is something incredible about opening your eyes to how other parts of the world live, speak, eat, and work. It shifts your perspective in a whole new way when you visit new countries and learn about new cultures. And yet, some of the biggest life lessons learned from traveling are gained not only through the places you go, but how you handle your travel experiences—the travel mishaps and cultural blunders.

Every aspect of travel is a learning experience, and lessons learned from traveling can’t be learned anywhere else.

What does traveling teach you?

There is truly nothing more memorable in life than travel. It’s one of the few things we can do over and over in life while constantly discovering something new. Every travel experience is different—we’re exposed to different people, different ways of life, different food, languages, and cultural experiences.

Once we get a taste, we want more and more because there is nothing like the personal growth, expansion, and adventure that come with wandering through foreign lands.

Travel has the power to both delight us and challenge us. And it’s through both that we learn. What travel teaches you is that it doesn’t matter where you go—it only matters that you give yourself the opportunity to leave the places you know and let wanderlust take you by the hands and start to dance.

When you do, the life lessons learned from traveling can completely alter your path.

15 life lessons learned from traveling

Traveling is one of life’s greatest teachers.

So what does traveling teach you? These are some of the most important lessons learned from traveling the world.

1. Be humble.

No matter who you are, how many years you’ve been on this Earth, or what you’ve done with your life thus far, you will never know everything there is to know. There is always more to discover, more to learn.

What travel teaches you is that you’re not so big in the grand scheme of the world— you are no more important than any other person and there is always room for growth. Travel truly humbles you.

2. You are never alone.

You’ll be amazed how easy it is to bond with other travelers.

Loneliness is a universal feeling; all humans have a desire to fit in, to belong, to have a tribe. One of the most important life lessons learned from traveling is that you are never alone in your feelings of loneliness, and at the same time, you are never truly alone.

Travel brings people together. Even when you’re traveling solo , all you have to do is smile at a stranger and ask a question to spark conversation. Before you know it, you’ll have friends to join you for dinner or tag along with you to the next city.

3. The friends you make abroad are friends for life.

There’s no stronger connection made than between two people who are out of their comfort zones, having the experience of a lifetime, in the same moment in time. While it’s easy to make friends while traveling , the friendships made are also solid ones.

Travel allows you to get to know people in their most vulnerable states, creating bonds that are difficult to break. The friends you make while traveling are often friends you will keep for life and will open doors to further travel opportunities.

4. Do the things that scare you.

Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “Do one thing every day that scares you.” When we leap outside of our comfort zones, we have the ability to continuously learn, expand, and shift our perspectives.

Travel allows you the opportunity to constantly do things that scare you, whether that’s eating fried crickets or jumping out of a plane at 14,000 feet in the sky . Every one of these experiences teaches you something about yourself that you never knew before and allows you to push your boundaries.

5. Getting “lost” is relative.

Letting yourself wander can lead to some of the best moments.

One of the best parts of traveling is getting lost in a new place—wandering aimlessly down cobbled streets with no map, taking the train to the end of the line and exploring somewhere new, following your gut instead of your iPhone to show you hidden treasures.

What travel teaches you is that getting “lost” is relative. And in fact, when you find yourself somewhere unexpected, this is where the real adventure happens.

6. Go with the flow.

No matter how much you plan while traveling, it’s inevitable that at some point you’ll throw your plans out the window. Things won’t always go your way when traveling; sometimes that will look like a canceled flight, and other times it will look like falling in love with a new city and canceling that flight yourself.

To quote another great, John Lennon reflects that “life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” So forget the plans and let go of the schedule because travel teaches you to be impulsive and go with the flow.

7. Experiences far outweigh things.

When you’re living out of a backpack, sleeping under the stars, or spending hours on slow moving trains, you’ll find that you actually need very little to keep you happy. One of the most valuable life lessons learned from traveling is to place value on experiences over material things.

You don’t need fancy cars, a flashy wardrobe, or king-sized beds to bring you joy. In fact, the new experiences, exotic street foods, and late night conversations with new friends are what you’ll remember most while traveling.

8. Patience is the greatest virtue.

Be prepared to be unprepared.

Mishaps are inevitable while traveling. Whether that comes to you through a missed connecting flight, a train strike leaving you stranded in a foreign city, or a miscommunication while struggling with a new language, travel teaches you not to sweat the small stuff.

In the spirit of going with the flow, travel will teach you to deal with anything that’s thrown your way with patience.

9. There’s nothing more beautiful than Mama Earth.

Natural beauty around the world will take your breath away and leave you in awe, from snow-capped mountains to deep blue oceans to lush green rainforests and exotic wildlife, and everything in between.

You’ll also undoubtedly witness the heart break in earth’s ecosystem, the fragility of melting glaciers and dying coral reefs, the beaches and hiking trails covered in plastic waste . Both will give you a greater appreciation for the magic of Mama Earth and how precious her resources are.

10. Appreciate life’s simple pleasures.

Some of the best moments in travel could be sitting around a campfire telling stories with your travel mates, sharing a home cooked meal with locals, or having a hot shower after a day of wandering until your feet are caked in dirt.

These things don’t require elaborate plans or spending a lot of money. It’s one of the simplest life lessons learned from traveling—to be present with the people around you and indulge in your senses.

11. Just smile.

As a traveler, how could you ever run out of reasons to smile?

With over 7,000 languages spoken throughout the world, it’s incredible that there is one universal language: a smile. No matter who you are, where you’re from, or what language you speak, travel teaches you that smiling is the same everywhere.

It displays friendliness, gratitude, and helps you connect with those around you. When in doubt, offer a smile…and don’t be afraid to smile more often!

12. Think outside the box.

Travel opens your mind in more ways than one. When dealing with the inevitable mishaps that come with every travel experience (whether that is losing your luggage, getting sick with food poisoning, or struggling with the language), travel teaches you to deal with all kinds of situations by thinking outside the box.

You’ll become more innovative, adaptable, and gain problem-solving skills that will help you deal with anything life throws your way.

13. We are all the same.

Through travel, you have the ability to experience different cultures and see how other parts of the world live and operate. Yet what travel teaches you is that we’re not all that different. Humans all over the world appreciate connection and family above all else. And there is comfort knowing that no matter how or where we live our lives, we all have core values in common.

14. You can do ANYTHING.

Travel changes you. It makes you more confident and independent. It offers a freedom you can’t find anywhere else. It teaches you how to problem solve, make friends even in the loneliest times, navigate language barriers, and get through hard things. All in all, it teaches you that you are powerful and gives you the courage to do anything you set your mind to.

15. There’s no place like home.

The flight home is almost always a bittersweet moment.

Travel offers a completely new perspective on home. It may help you appreciate what you left behind and help you dig stronger roots to where you’re from. For others, it may reveal that you belong elsewhere and help you plant roots where you truly belong. No matter the outcome, travel teaches you there’s no place like home.

3 ways to start traveling

Are you ready to change your life? Here are some of the top programs to get you out of your comfort zone.

• Why it’s great: GVI is one of the top volunteer programs in the world, with opportunities to travel, learn, and volunteer with sustainable development projects across many countries. This program partners with international organizations all over the world, so you’ll have the ability to work alongside locals to make a difference, whether you want to volunteer at an elephant sanctuary in Thailand , in marine conservation in Seychelles , or conduct wildlife research in Costa Rica .
• Read GVI reviews

2. Intern Abroad HQ

• Why it’s great: If you’ve ever dreamed of gaining valuable work experience abroad, Intern Abroad HQ could be your answer. This program helps students, graduates, and young professionals jumpstart their dream careers through coordinating global custom internships. It’s one of the world’s largest international internship organizations and can open doors to work experience in every corner of the world and in every career path, from psychology to finance to advertising to teaching.
• Read Intern Abroad HQ reviews

3. International TEFL Academy

• Why it’s great: International TEFL Academy could be the first step in your career as a global citizen. This program offers TEFL certifications both online and in-country to help you gain the knowledge and experience to start teaching English abroad. Whether you want to make a little money to fund your travels or open the door to working across multiple continents, International TEFL Academy is committed to getting you abroad and immersed in local culture, all while funding your travel and making an impact.
• Read International TEFL Academy reviews

Get connected with 5 meaningful travel programs for FREE

Your life will feel full after traveling.

Traveling allows so much to gain and nothing to lose.

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or have yet to leave your hometown, there’s no doubt that traveling is the experience you need to make your life fuller. If you’re ready to learn, grow, and transform into a new and better version of yourself, let yourself catch the travel bug. It will teach you endless lessons about who you are as a person and what life is all about.

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What Travel Teaches You: 10 Skills You Can Learn During Travel

By: Nick Callos

Why is travel important for learning?

Well, adventures are the best way to broaden your perspective, challenge yourself to adapt, and grow from experience. Travel also expands your horizons. As Mark Twain once wrote:

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.”

As travel has begun to take off again, we thought it would be fun to write an article about what travel teaches you, specifically the hard and soft skills we pick up along the way. The chance to absorb these travel lessons should inspire you to book your next trip.

Without further ado, let’s go over what travel teaches you.

Photo by Ross van der Wal on Unsplash

Travel Lesson 1: Empathy

What travel teaches you about empathy is incredible. An article in AFAR explains that travel exposes us to different ways of living and inspires us to “find new ways to look at yourself and your place in the world.”

Travel Lesson 2: Language Skills

Most language experts agree: Immersing yourself in a language is the best way to learn it . While watching movies and reading newspapers can help with learning Spanish, French or another language, living the language is the best way to build fluency.

• Want to learn Spanish? Get a Digital Nomad Visa to Costa Rica , where you can speak the language every day. Learn more in this article .

Travel Lesson 3: Adaptability

Nothing ever goes 100% as planned when you travel. You have to be ready for travel delays, cultural differences, language barriers and more. It’s all part of the charm of travel. The experience alone, as long as you have the right attitude, will improve your adaptability skills. As an article in Career Gappers states, travel shows us that “adaptability is an attitude, an approach to putting one front in front of the other with positivity and ease.”

Travel Lesson 4: Time Management

Even if you’re a digital nomad , you still have to plan your trips and think about how to plan your hours. For example:

• How long should you spend at this historic site?
• How much time do I need to get to the train station?
• How many days should I stay in this town versus another town?

Ensuring a trip goes successfully requires solid management of one’s time. These time management skills you learn while traveling will undoubtedly benefit you professionally and personally throughout life.

Travel Lesson 5: Cross-Cultural Competence

Traveling abroad enables you to learn about others’ cultures, customs, identities, history, language and more. The key to building cross-cultural competence while traveling is taking time to research your destination, communicate with locals, and visit important sites. The benefits of having cross-cultural competence will be tremendous, especially in the modern workplace and global economy where such a skill is highly valued.

• Want to learn more about how to approach travel? Read about Anthony Bourdain’s best episodes of Parts Unknown to understand how the legendary traveler experienced places.

Travel Lesson 6: Patience

You’re not always in control when you travel. Sometimes you have to wait for a visa; other times obstacles arise. Whether it’s struggling to order the right dish or losing your luggage, you’re going to have to possess patience to get through the situation. You’ll have to learn how to take a breath and handle the situation calmly.

Travel Lesson 7: Creativity & Productivity

Studies have shown that vacations reduce stress and anxiety , and they improve overall life satisfaction. For creatives, entrepreneurs and others, travel also offers a mental reset and a way to eliminate burnout. Most people come back from travel more refreshed and productive. Even more important, what travel teaches you is new ways of thinking, which can help with creativity and innovation. Who knows? Maybe you’ll finally achieve a breakthrough while backpacking through another country.

Travel Lesson 8: Interpersonal Skills

What travel teaches you about interpersonal skills is invaluable. First, travel enables you to meet new people daily, which can help build confidence in your communication skills. Additionally, since language barriers may arise, you must lean on nonverbal communication skills a little more. You also must speak clearly and listen intently during all interactions. All this helps to boost your interpersonal skills.

Travel Lesson 9: Budgeting

Travel will certainly test your personal financial skills, and that challenge will benefit you throughout life. While traveling, you do have to pay attention to how you use your money, and this requires careful budgeting and planning. If you don’t spend your money wisely, you could wind up in a tight spot, or not have enough for an emergency. That’s why you should budget beforehand and make sure to stick to that budget each step of the way.

• At Frayed Passport, we have lots of resources on how to make travel affordable , even for long-term travelers. Read our digital nomad budgeting guide for tips.

Travel Lesson 10: Problem Solving

Going outside your comfort zone will lead you to obstacles, whether that’s an issue with lodging, your motorbike malfunctioning or missing a flight transfer. You must be able to think on your feet to navigate ever-changing situations. If you want things to go well, you’ll have to solve problems effectively.

So, why is travel important for learning?

Experience is the greatest teacher. We can’t learn if we are not challenged. Travel takes us outside normal everyday scenarios, forcing us to think effectively, communicate clearly, manage resources wisely, and relax and breathe. The skills travel teaches us are abundant, from empathy and adaptability to language skills and time management.

Now that you know what travel teaches you, go learn!

That concludes our article on what travel teaches you. We hope you keep these skills in mind the next time you travel. That way, you can absorb all of these travel lessons and come back as an even better version of yourself.

Have fun and learn all you can out there on the road!

About the Author

Nick Callos has always had a passion for reading, writing, and discovering the new and unknown. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Nick holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English from Boston College. He currently splits his time between his hometown, Chengdu, China, and the open road. A full-time travel writer, Nick hopes his work can inspire others to explore the world more deeply and enjoy the digital nomad lifestyle.

Featured image by Charlotte Noelle on Unsplash .

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I am a full-time traveling registered nurse, fitness enthusiast, and nutrition expert. Every morning I wake up intending to bring awareness of the importance of health and spiritual wellness, especially to the traveling community. At Messy Bun Traveler, we promote travel that allows the traveler to either kick-start, maintain, or enhance a healthy lifestyle. So whether you're someone who travels for business, travels for pleasure, or new to travel and looking for health advice while on the road, this blog is for you!

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What Does Traveling Teach You? 12 Lessons Travel Has Taught Me

December 20, 2018

As a college graduate, I spent most of my life studying from textbooks and case studies, newspaper articles, and online journals. I spent five years in a classroom listening to a professor lecture on various topics each day.

Although I loved college and learned so much, there are some life lessons no classroom, website, scholarly journal, or professor can teach you. These lessons come from traveling the world and experiencing the world around you.

What does traveling the world teach you?

In this post, i’m going to share with you the  12 lessons i’ve learned from traveling., travel teaches you to appreciate what you have.

My very first trip overseas was to Fiji for an international service-learning project through my college. We went off the beaten path to a remote village on the island, hours away from any major city, grocery store, or hospital. The village had no electricity, running water, working sewage system, or refrigeration.

I will be honest, at first, I felt out of place. I never had in my life lived without any of these things. It was hard. And was definitely an adjustment…It never crossed my mind that many people in the world live like this.

The biggest lesson I have learned from going to Fiji, as well as the many countries I have visited after; is that having a roof over my head, hot meals, clean water, transportation and the mere ability to travel is a luxury that most individuals in the world do not have. For that, I am so incredibly lucky.

It’s so easy to get wrapped up in the hype of celebrity gossip, dropping a pretty penny over the latest Michael Kors purse, or drooling over your friend’s new set of wheels. Today’s society continuously convinces us we’re never good enough; therefore leaving us always wanting more.

Traveling has given me a whole new perspective on life. It’s not about money, fame, or fortune. It’s less about what you have, and more about what you have to offer to others. Whether it’s a helping hand, kindness, or even a simple smile- these small things go so much farther.

Travel teaches you to learn to live without

I had realized that the more I travel- especially when I started travel nursing and living life on the road, the more I de-complicated my life by getting rid of or donating my possessions. I’ve come to find that the less I have, the easier it is to enjoy every moment.

I still like clothing, shoes, jewelry, and purses, and occasionally, I want to browse online stores. But then I ask myself, “ do I really NEED this? ” and 99% of the time, my answer is no. Less really can be more.

• How Does Travel Nursing Work? 10 Common Questions Answered by a Travel Nurse

Travel teaches you to budget

Traveling is very doable if you know how to budget your money well. Whether you’re on a minimum wage or a six-figure salary, traveling is very feasible as long as money is being put away for it.

I have to say I started managing my money a lot better when I gained the motivation to travel.

You learn it’s actually not that hard to travel

MANY people are doing it, so it can’t be that hard, right? I’ve learned traveling isn’t rocket science- the traveling industry has made it very doable.

All you need to do is get on a plane, train, car, or bus. The rest will just fall into play. There are also many books, journals, and blogs out there to help you along with your journey.

You inevitably learn that you are more capable than you thought. Travel teaches you confidence, independence, and freedom .

Travel teaches you a lot of useful skills

By traveling around the world, I’ve learned how to adapt and be more flexible. I’ve learned how to be more social and also better understand nonverbal communication (especially when traveling overseas).

Overall, I’ve become a more independent, more open, and better person from roaming the globe and interacting with other people.

You learn you’ll meet some of your closest friends while traveling

I have always been more of an introvert; I’ve had and still sometimes have social anxiety and find it scary to just throw myself out there amongst a group of strangers. It took me a while to learn how to say “hello” to random people, but traveling has made me much more comfortable doing so.

In the end, everyone is amicable, and it’s easy to strike up a conversation with someone who shares the same passion for traveling as you do.

If I had never gotten out of my comfort zone and socialized more, I would have never connected with some of the best friends that I have now.

And believe it or not, I met my boyfriend and travel companion on an overseas trip !

Distance and time cannot break the bond you form with people while traveling.

Travel teaches you to step out of your comfort zone

With that being said, traveling has helped me expand my view on life. I’m not afraid to try new food, jump out of an airplane , take a cooking class, pick up on dialect from a foreign language, jump off the top deck of a boat, and the list can go on.

I’ve eaten tarantulas in Cambodia, ridden in a tuk-tuk through Thailand, and walked across the Nicaragua-Costa Rican border when my international flight was canceled.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned through all this- is that it’s essential to challenge yourself to seek adventure. Life is too short not too.

• The Truth About Solo Travel

You’ll learn there’s no such thing as a mistake

Plans will fall through, flights will be delayed, and people with try and scam you. But no matter what happens on the road, it’s never a mistake.

I’ve learned that the journey is an adventure- and no matter how hard or rigorous you plan, some things are bound to fall through. That’s life. It’s best to go with the flow and let the road just pave itself out in front of you.

I’m starting to realize it’s imperative to live life with no regrets, and the misfortunes that sometimes happen are not a  mistake , but more of a lesson learned.

• The BIGGEST Mistake I Made While Traveling: And How You Can Avoid Doing the Same

Travel teaches you how to go with the flow

I’ve always been a master planner- planning every moment of every day by writing to-do lists and trip itineraries and goals. And although all those are important, sometimes it’s just as important not to have a plan at all.

I’ve learned that traveling is about finding ways to change yourself for the better- and just letting life take you where you never knew it could go.

• Travel Quotes & Photos: The Ultimate List to Inspire Your Next Vacation

Travel teaches you how to relax

Life is full of natural wonder and beauty; there’s no reason to be stressed or worried all the time. The universe will play out as it may. Relax, and go with the flow.

The biggest thing I’ve learned while planning trip itineraries is that it’s vital to make time just to relax. Spend the day lounging on the beach, lounging by the pool with a good book, or take a stroll along the mountainside with the sound of nature. Don’t get caught up in all the “must-sees.”

Part of traveling isn’t about finding the latest and greatest travel destination- it’s more about finding  yourself .

• Wellness Tourism: How Wellness is Changing the Way We Travel

You’ll learn that people are generally good

Everywhere I have been, I’ve met the most amazing, like-minded people. People, even without having spoken the same language- have gone out of their way to help me.

For example, when my boyfriend and I were crossing the border between Nicaragua and Costa Rica, a gentleman went out of his way to help us find the bus that would take us to our destination, Liberia. He knew we didn’t have any cash on us, but he helped us anyway.

It was then I realized that it’s important not to be guarded against unfamiliar faces- most people are genuinely kind and will help you in your time of need.

The American culture has taught us to fear strangers- stories of murderers, rapists, terrorists, and thieves flood the news making it impossible to believe that most people are good and just trying to be friendly.

If I were continually guarding myself for fear of being taken advantage of, I would have never met some of the most amazing people that have ultimately changed my life.

Travel teaches you to put down the technology

Ever since I bought myself a smartphone- although useful, it has turned me away from many social interactions. We see it everywhere we go- on a bus, or train; at work…people are so constantly consumed by what’s on their screen that we forget about interacting with the people around us.

Traveling has forced me to put the phone down and experience life. It has forced me to say hello to that stranger next to me, explore areas with no cell service, and not panic when my battery dies.

Sometimes it’s best to live life unplugged for a while.

Traveling is a great way to learn about yourself and the world around you. These 12 lessons are just a taste of what traveling can teach you. I encourage you to get out there and explore as much of the world as possible.

Who knows, maybe you’ll learn something new that will forever change your life. Did any of these lessons resonate with you? What other life lessons have you learned from traveling? 

If you liked this post, please share it!

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7 Life-Changing Lessons Travel Teaches

Home » Blog » Personal Stuff » 7 Life-Changing Lessons Travel Teaches

Travel is often thought of as a frivolous, self-indulgent activity. And sometimes it is. But what we often overlook are the life-changing lessons that travel teaches us.

Traveling, in my experience, has been more educational than my 4 years at university, and my time in the working world… COMBINED. Yes, I’ve learned about food, culture and history while traveling, but it’s more than that.

I’ve learned some very valuable and undeniable truths that I’ll carry with me when my hair is gray and I’ve forgotten all the facts I learned in school.

1. The world isn’t as scary as people tell you

If I’ve only learned one lesson from travel, it is this: The world is not a big, scary place.

There are not strangers lurking in every dark alleyway of foreign countries waiting to kidnap you and steal your ATM pin.

Bad things happen, yes. But there is so, SO much more good. When we fixate on the scary things out there, it takes the spotlight off the people bettering the world. It makes us fearful, and hole up inside our homes, watching the headlines scroll across the screen on CNN. It makes us look at people who are different from ourselves with distrust. That anxiety is tangible and fuels a hatred that goes both ways. And in a sense, we create our own evil.

When we spread this fear of traveling far from home, we imply that our country is safe and the rest are “unsafe”.   Do I need to bring up the number of shootings there have been in America just the past year? I rest my case.

True, travel has also shown me the value of being street smart and aware of my surroundings. But I am constantly reminded that crime happens everywhere in the world. Not just in foreign countries far from home. (Do you know that the only place I’ve ever been robbed is in Ames, Iowa? That’s right. Not South or Central America. Not Europe or Asia. At home. )

Friends and family gave me nervous looks and warned me (with nothing but good intentions) to “be safe,” in Colombia . But it was in that country I met some of the most kind-hearted people I’ve ever encountered. I read endless blog posts about “watching your belongings” in a particular border town of Laos, and in that same town witnessed a young local man hold the hand of a fallen tourist and help her up an entire flight of stairs. In the Philippines , we were treated like family on more than one occasion. And the sketchiest neighborhoods of Buenos Aires proved to be no more dodgy than those of Minneapolis.

It may seem that the opposite of love is hate, but I disagree. I think the opposite of love is fear, and hatred is a symptom. When we are scared of a certain group of people, we separate ourselves from them and create a barrier. We cease to learn about them and we create our own prejudices. In the end, hate creeps in like a stubborn virus and it spreads to even the best of people. The only way to stop this cycle of fear and hatred is to let the barriers crumble. To venture out of our comfort zone, and learn about others by interacting with them. 

Travel has taught me that the world is full of beautiful, generous people who are worthy of my trust. I have chosen to pursue love instead of fear, and to ignore the (bullshit) warnings that propagate the idea that the world is a big scary place. 

2. Trust others most of the time, and ALWAYS trust yourself

While traveling, you have to put your life into the hands of strangers each day. Without trust, you’ll have a hell of a time getting around – trust me . (No pun intended.)

Traveling has taught me all kinds of trust.

I’ve placed my faith in countless taxi drivers, and reminded myself that although they’re taking turns at race car speeds they know what they’re doing and will get me to my destination.

I’ve always made it.

I’ve trusted those friendly travelers I just met, and believe that they truly do care about the last 3 months of my trip and aren’t just looking for a way to steal my “sweet camera” they just commented on.

More often than not, I’ve made a great friend.

And I trust that the chicken kebab I just inhaled from a street vendor won’t turn me a shade of green and have me racing to the bathroom.

Nine times out of ten, a visit to the bathroom is unnecessary. We won’t talk about the other 10 percent…

Sometimes travel teaches you that trust can be broken. But the majority of the time, travel has taught me that people are decent and worthy of the confidence I place in them. I am constantly in awe of how many good people there are in this world, and am ashamed at any hesitation I have to trust.

Through it all, there has been one type of trust that has never let me down.

Trusting myself. I may get lost. I may lose things (a lot). I may get in bad moods or wonder what the hell I’m doing. But when I truly have faith in myself, amazing things happen. I remind myself that it was I who figured out how to get off an island with no money in my wallet . It was I who was dropped off on the side of the road 2 hours from any town, and hiked into the Andes to find my mysterious destination .

I remind myself that I can get through tricky situations because I’ve done it before. And that confidence in myself – my confidence in myself – is what drives me and enables me to keep exploring.

3. Mishaps often turn into the greatest adventures

There is a quote I heard once, and it has kind of become my mantra while traveling:

“Attitude is the difference between mishap and adventure.”

Let it sink in for a second.

So often when traveling, things go wrong. In fact, I can’t really think of any travels where everything went exactly, spot-on, as planned.

A misplaced bag at the airport may be the opportunity to visit a local market. And with a bottle of rum and a swimsuit, a rainy day can turn into a memory I will choose not to eternalize on the Internet.

This mantra is not always easy to remember in the heat of the moment when I get lost, or weather cancels my plans. When my throat tightens and tears sting the back of my eyelids, I remind myself that some situations can’t be controlled. I have two choices: I can let it ruin my day, or I can take those lemons and make lemon drop shots.

Bottoms up, y’all!

4. Traveling will Un-Spoil you, and Spoil you at the same time

Yeah, I’m aware that “unspoil” isn’t exactly a word (my computer is underlining it with an annoying red squiggle)… but stick with me here.

After sleeping in one too many rooms without air-conditioning, and traveling on buses so crowded that you’re forced to stand for hours at a time, you will start to understand the meaning of the word “unspoiled”.

There’s no way to explain the feeling of a real hot shower after a week of rinsing with a bucket on a remote Thai farm . And a flush toilet is damn near luxurious after spending months on end throwing tissues in a bin.

Ben and I joke that our standards have been lowered so much that we wouldn’t know what to do with ourselves in a nice hotel because even mediocre places seem lavish.

Sure, you could pay top dollar and have all the comforts you do at home, but where’s the adventure in that? Why travel in another country and live in a way that the locals never experience? There’s nothing authentic about that.

The beautiful thing about “roughing it” is that it will push you out of your comfort zone and teach you more about yourself than you could ever learn at a 5-star resort at which your every need is catered.

And the other, more humbling truth is that traveling the world will bring you through neighborhoods where children walk barefoot, not by choice. You will inevitably talk with people who’ve never left their hometown, not because they aren’t curious. And slowly, but surely, you will begin to understand that things you thought necessity are, in fact, luxuries for most people in this world.

For as much as we have been humbled by travel, we have also found ourselves spoiled beyond measure. We have seen landscapes that to us had previously only existed in screen savers and calendars. We have tasted food that makes the “authentic” versions at home seem like sleazy imposters, and we’ve had the privilege of spending time with some of the most interesting and kind people in the world.

Yeah, I’d say travel has most definitely spoiled us too.

5. Living simply is simply the best

There is nothing quite like the feeling of carrying all you need on your back.

Travel has taught me that material possessions weigh me down, and throughout my journey, I have slowly shed the items that I deem unnecessary bulk. And you know what? I have never felt so free in my life.

Before setting off on this life of indefinite travel, Ben and I sold many of our big possessions, and boxed up the rest. While we don’t own much, I can feel the weight of each of those boxes of clothing and kitchen utensils tying me down, like anchors to shore. I know that I am privileged to have those anchors and a place I so happily call “home” , but I feel the weight nonetheless.

Travel has taught me to put value and worth in experiences, because they are everlasting. That $500 stand-up kitchen mixer in a perfect shade of cobalt will rust and eventually be replaced, but the feeling of reaching Machu Picchu after 4 days of hiking through the Andes will stay etched in my mind forever.

I have learned throughout this journey that I really don’t need much. I look at clothes differently. That $78 dress is cute, but that amount of money could buy me 4 days of accommodation and meals in Southeast Asia. How many memories could I make in 4 days?

Now, I always choose experiences. Well, most of the time. Sometimes, the dress really is that cute.

6. Everyone has their own path

Some friends and family back home think we’re crazy. And we just might be. But travel has surrounded me with others who have quit their jobs, sold their possessions, and risked it all in order to see the world. They have reminded me that my dream is valid and achievable.

There are thousands – no hundreds of thousands – of people doing the very same thing I am right now. The guesthouses I stay at are packed, often to capacity, with others on round-the-world trips with no end date in sight. Here, I am not the only one.

I’ve met people who have lived in more countries than they have fingers. I’ve met those who have been traveling non-stop for half a decade. I’ve met people who have turned down the idea of a steady career, and worked instead at a myriad of jobs to keep their dreams afloat.

Travel has taught me that there isn’t one correct path, like we’re so often told. I have learned that the American Dream is not one size fits all, and that yes, it can mean different things to different people. For some, it is the traditional big house, and life-long career; and that’s perfectly fine.

For me, there’s no big house. At least not now.  And I’ve learned that it’s okay that my dreams are constantly changing.  Here’s a secret: Sometimes I lust for a permanent home the way my friends who are settled down wish to   wander far away . 

I’m not really sure how my dreams will look in the next 5 years. Maybe then it will include a house in the suburbs and conventional job. Maybe it won’t. But what I’ve learned is that neither dream is more valid or worthwhile.

7. People are the same everywhere in the world

We all want to believe that we are special, unique, one of a kind. And in a way we are. There’s no one who has the exact same constellation of freckles across their nose, and very few with as deep an aversion to ketchup. Sure, I’m special.

But when it comes to the stuff that really matters, we are all so much alike .

We want to succeed. Yes, it may look different to a guesthouse owner in rural Bolivia  than it looks to the three-piece suit-wearing, Yale graduate on Wallstreet. But we all want success.

Everybody wants a community that they belong to. People who understand them. We all want to feel loved.

These desires can live in skyscrapers and on dirt roads. They don’t discriminate based on nationality, skin color, religion, orientation, or language.

Kids roll down hills in Laos the same way they do in Minnesota . And teenagers in South Korea giggle and joke just like they do in Miami. Circumstances are different. But basic wants and desires are the same.

When you accept that people are more similar than they are different, you see the world in a new way. When they celebrate, you celebrate, and when they hurt, you hurt. And you finally realize that while we are unique in our own freckles-and-ketchup ways, we are all more alike than we’d all like to think. 

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We want to hear from you!

What lessons has travel taught YOU? How has traveling changed your life? We’d love to see you in the comments below!

Comments (22) on “ 7 Life-Changing Lessons Travel Teaches ”

What a well written article Kate ! We set off this morning at 7:30 for a trip t CA from Florida and your email arrived to my inbox at 9:32 what Perfect Timing 👍 Thanks So much

This is a great article. Travel does broaden your horizon and appreciation of who all of us are. Underneath it all, we want housing, food, love and be part of a family/community. People throughout the world have similar requirements and desires. In the end, when I am lying on my deathbed I will think of wonderful adventures I had in my life rather than I have millions of dollars to my name.

Wow what a beautiful article!! Such true statements… Travelling has made me feel so grateful for everything that I have and for being able to live so many different experiences.

You have just put exactly what I feel into such beautiful words. I have traveled quite a bit, and everything you said is true. At nearly 70, I have sold my home and am purchasing a cargo van, and plan to see as much of the U.S. as I can. Finances permitting I also hope to travel more abroad. Lots of people think I’m crazy, so this article was so affirming. Thank you for sharing!

Greatest freaking article! Made me tear up… well written

Today I read your article with a longing to move on and travel. Ive done travel at home (US) but only to Scotland outside the US. I took the adventure because it was a dream my husband and I had…I did it aline 8 months after he passed away. On that trip I learned I could see and do things I never thought possible aline AND everyone I met was helpful, encouraging and some wanted me to stay (lol). It’s been 3 years and my urge to get back to traveling is unsettling. Your article just tells me that I am not wrong about people in this world…so my biggest problem is now where to go next. Thank you fir reminding me life is really simple and wonderful at the same time .

Wonderful article, and so well-written to remind us not to ‘fear’ the unknowns of life. I agree, most of it is simply because you haven’t experienced something or a particular culture different than your own yet.

Great article. I have limited travel under my belt but always with my daughter who convinced me backpacking was the way to get around Vietnam and Cambodia. How right she was, and what a time we had making memories. I never once felt unsafe, in fact I was quite happy to walk around at night sight-seeing, when at home I only go out in a car after sunset in my home town. I have given my suitcase away and bought myself my own backpack and can’t wait to cash in my travel vouchers once the world gets back on track.

Thank you so much! I am sitting home watching the rain hit my window and was starting to feel a little sad. My trips to Costa Rica, China, and Italy are all canceled. I am no longer as young as the two of you. I am that white haired lady who sometimes needs help getting my little suitcase up three flights of stairs in a train station oh, but that doesn’t keep me home. I have been traveling most of my life and have visited 27 different countries, not however in the way that you travel. I plan to sit at my computer today and start planning my next adventure so as soon as this pandemic goes away I will be at the airport and I won’t be smiling Janet H

Thanks so much for taking the time to write such a sweet message, Janet. We love connecting with likeminded people, and from your words, it sounds like you lead a pretty adventure-filled life!

It is such a strange time right now, isn’t it? Our hearts hurt for your canceled trips – we know how disappointing that can be. The only solace is in knowing that you’re doing the right thing by staying put. And that this won’t last forever.

We’re with ya, planning our next adventures (to keep ourselves motivated and sane!). Pro Tip: We love watching Anthony Bourdain’s shows of places we’re thinking of visiting with a bottle of wine. It’s a fun way to dream and get excited about a destination, and it’s even more fun when you finally get to that place and can visit some of the amazing local restaurants he highlights!

Sending you a virtual hug! Hopefully that next trip isn’t too far away!

This is one of the very BEST articles you guys have written. It is a spot on reflection of how I live my life and how important it is to step out of your comfort zone to experience what the world really has to offer outside those neat, safe little travel packages. I started traveling when I was a young lad in the Coast Guard back in 1991 (yikes) and I was a wide eyed, fascinated kid who learned at that early age that what you hear in the news can be a lot of just fearful bullshit. Our ship was assigned the task of opening the U.S. Consulate in post Cold War Russia in September of 1992. It was Vladivostok which a huge Russian naval base similar to our Norfolk or San Diego. We had no idea what to expect and all week leading up to our arrival they warned us to ‘watch our backs’ and ‘don’t travel alone’, etc. So naturally we were a little apprehensive. When we got there our experience was one that has set the tone how I view people and destinations from around the world-don’t be so quick to judge and don’t be afraid. The locals there LOVED us and treated us like royalty. You know, those scary Russians who hate us so much. There was a genuine curiosity to learn about each other and share stories about life, love, dreams, etc. So to piggyback off your point Kate, people really are the same everywhere you go and it is up to the traveler to open up his or her heart and mind and make a connection. Do your homework on a place you are interested in. Respect and appreciate the people, customs, and culture you are visiting. And damn it, have fun out there! Thanks for this article, I couldn’t have said it better here myself. Chuck

Well said, well written Katie! I couldn’t agree more. Before we had kids my wife and I quit our corporate jobs and traveled the world (76 cities 22 countries) for 6 months. This seemed like forever to us and our corporate friends but other long time travelers, mostly from Europe, took pity on us for how short it was. :). We are now planning RTW trip #2 with our 3 little kids. It’s so easy to stay put, much harder to actually pack up and leave, but your article has reminded us of why we travel and how valuable it would be for our kids. You’ve I spired us so thank you!

Here is our RTW blog if you are interested. http://www.eatplaylove.wordpress.com

Beautiful article. I left all in Europe and traveling through Mexico for months and want to go further. I share the same feelings and experiences as you guys. Thanx for posting, keep travelling!

Greetings! Your article and travel reflections made me cry and laugh at the same time. I can relate to your experiences and views and reading this article really sparked so much joy in my heart. I agree with all of your 7 lessons and you express them with such honesty and humbleness. Thank you for being you!

Wow! So true, so forgotten! We are all one family under the shining sun and calm moon. You have found the key to love, real love. No judgement, no predujice, only the savoring of the human histories that make us look different. We are bound and yet sadly seperated. I only hope my grandchildren and their grandchildren will know this kind of world. To see all with eyes that filter the difference and focus sharply on the vital sameness. To appreciate the sameness of the mom in etopia and the mom in new york. Thank you for such a " call to be better humans" I was rocked and touched. Keep writing as you are one of the game changers, the leaders in this movement. I send you prayers for health and success. And your def of success rings true! Thank you!! Lisa

I have been traveling since I was 17 and now have reached 60 . Ten years ago I suffered a stroke which put me in hospital for 5 months was unable to walk and had to teach myself , after three months I was able to walk although slowly but hey I survived which a lot of people don’t. I was gutted as thought my travels would be limited, but in the last ten years I have been to Portugal in my wheelchair and the Algrave still nothing stopped me had wheelchair assistance at airport found places to stay easy and everybody was so helpful. Now I am able to walk with a stick and have since been to Poland,Sri Lanka,Japan,Cuba and many more all staying in home stays or Guest houses. I feel I have been so lucky and will travel as long as I can , the people and culture is so rewarding ,I always teach myself a few words in the places I visit to get me by and people love it if you try and speak the language. Franki

Oh! I forgot to add, i have felt the same way during my limited travels.. my travels have mostly been limited to India barring your home country, that people are the same – joy, sorrow, pain, feelings. We divide ourselves by country, race, religion ( which is perhaps the worst divider these days) but ultimately we are all the same.

So beautifully written, i fell in love with your writing and your thinking. Great blog, keep writing and i am looking forward to reading all your blogs. You speak from the heart and it reflects in the post. I so desperately want to do what you are doing, leave all behind and travel, will take inspiration from this blog and try.

You just made me cried! Soo heart felt!

Les, this comment just made our day! Thank you!

Katie, I am loving these posts. You write like you’re talking and I can hear the heart in your text! I can relate on so many topics. People at home thinking I’m crazy…people abroad traveling like me…how success looks different everywhere…people everywhere being more alike than different… You’ve put a lot of thought into your blog topics and I really appreciate that. Keep up the great work. XoxO!

Wow, thank you Katie for such a thoughtful comment! This seriously just make my day!

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What Makes Travel Such A Remarkable Teacher?

If I were asked a decade ago why I travel, my answer would’ve been something along the lines of

“I need a break!” “I’m bored, I need change.” “I just want to have some fun!”

None of these reasons is to be frowned upon; they are legitimate, and because we’re all unique, our reasons to travel naturally aren’t akin to notes hastily photocopied a day before the finals. Sure, the thrill of hopping onto a train and journeying to a new destination to escape the mundane is gratifying. But looking back, I wish these reasons had a bit more depth to them. Alas.

That said, I have come to terms with the fact that as the years roll by, my reasons for travelling change – much like diet fads and fast-fashion collections – simply because what I seek from life changes.

I’ve always had an insatiable appetite to learn first-hand about different cultures, people, and their roots, and travel gave me an avenue to do just that. Soon, I discovered my fondness for introspection, and travel was right by my side, a much-needed facilitator. As new challenges came rushing up the road, so did travel lessons – wherein I realized that nearly every journey taught me something important.

I can guarantee that it’s done the same for you (granted, you’ve to let it).

Travel is one of the most remarkable teachers we can have, and investing in these experiences is a small fee we pay a great instructor who educates us more about life, people, and the real world than most brick-and-mortar institutions could (I’m not shading my education, I promise.).

Across all the experiences I’ve had, here are six key travel lessons, and I can only hope that these resonate with you.

Travel changes our perspective

Most of us begin with a limited amount of insight into other people, especially those who do not share the same culture, background, and language as we do. And don’t we know that little knowledge is quite dangerous! It isn’t a surprise to us when we hear of savagery between people of different religions and places of origin, especially within our own country – something that should actually shock us to our core is dismissed as a normal occurrence.

Travel forces open our eyes to different possibilities, to variations in people’s ways of living and thinking, and to the simple truth that coexistence is the only way to a peaceful survival. It shows us that it is our differences that make the world the intriguing place it is. In this age of increasing violence that stems from the sad reality that several cannot fathom that people can and will have differing opinions, desires, dreams, and defining values, travel (undertaken with an open mind) is the much-needed remedy.

It teaches us discipline…

Have you ever wanted something so fervently, that it made you question your way of doing things, and how a small consistent change could be the way to achieving that something ? To me, that something is travel, as I’m sure it is for many others. Our desires to explore new places, map the uncharted, amass experiences as valuable keepsakes drive us to lead a more disciplined life, so that we may achieve our wanderlust driven-goals.

Travel teaches us the value of saving from our paycheck and eliminating unnecessary expenses. It challenges us to put in that extra effort into researching and planning, even though we may usually like to go-with-the-flow. It edifies the importance of prioritizing, and it indoctrinates that we have a choice between what we really want to do and what others say we must do.

…And that losing control isn’t always bad.

During my trip to Greece , I found out that our booking was cancelled four hours before we were to arrive at the hotel. We were left without a place for the night, and we desperately needed a comfortable stay since we had an early morning ferry the next day. Add to this, I’m someone who hates relinquishing control.

What do we do when this happens? What does one do when a train is missed, a flight is cancelled, or things do not go according to plan, especially when we are in unfamiliar lands?

We let go, and then we act. We compose ourselves because once the initial panic passes, we realize that we are faced with an opportunity to challenge our fears in unfamiliar territory. We learn to navigate our way towards a solution, all the while realizing that not everything in life goes according to our plan. We come to terms with the reality that life will constantly surprise us – for better or for worse. It’s how we deal with these uncontrollable moments that define and shape us.

P.S. – We ended up booking a seedy hotel in a notorious part of Athens, and barely slept the whole night, but that’s a story for another time . 🙂

Suggested Read – TRAVEL ANECDOTES SERIES – THE MAINLAND GREECE MISADVENTURES

Travel shows us how to step out of our comfort zones…

Do you enjoy solo travel?

I used to detest it!

To me, it meant going out of my safe space, having only myself to bank on. My first solo travel experience was a semi-disaster, which only solidified my disdain.

The fear of discomfort and of the unknown anchors us to the familiar, and leaves us stuck; where there is no movement, there is no progress, and we lose out on opportunities that would have otherwise transformed our lives. Through travel, we learn to throw away the bows and sail away from the harbour. The more we travel, the more comfortable we get in the unfamiliar. It’s a peculiarly sweet emotion to feel at home when we know nothing around us, yet we are unperturbed

Today, I cannot wait to explore the world by myself. That singular experience of being in an unfamiliar city taught me more about my ability to adapt and be resilient in the face of adversity than anything else, and I am eager to find out what my next solo adventure brings!

…And to enjoy one’s own company.

It’s perfectly fine to travel with a group – be it with families, friends, or even unfamiliar people who are part of a hike. It is equally beautiful to be able to travel with no one but yourself. Introspection and self-learning often take place when there are no external factors to distract the envelope of peace you’re trying to create for yourself.

Imagine feeling the waves gently touch your feet and return back to the ocean, or watching the morning sunrise from behind a majestic mountain, rendering an ochre tint to the sky. Imagine sharing these awe-inspiring moments in the quiet company of your best friend, your trusted advisor, your biggest critic, your unfailing companion through life – you.

Most importantly, travel shows us our place in the grand scheme of things.

Often, we are wont to believe that we are superior to our fellow beings – human or otherwise – for various reasons. It is somehow ingrained in us to demand tangibles and intangibles that we are in no way owed, or are deserving of; that our place in the universe is one of spectacular power; that when things don’t go our way or we meet people who we do not see eye-to-eye with, we have all the right to wreak havoc because hey, we are entitled, aren’t we!

Travel helps peel away that layer of entitlement and shows us that we are but a microscopic speck in the master plan. While our existence does set into motion some events, we aren’t the only ones worthy of a second thought – the person seated next to us on the boat, or the one walking in front of us is just as deserving of happiness, love, and respect as we are.

Travel unites us. When we see the world through the eyes of others, we experience a connecting moment. Despite all our differences, we are one. Travel, through its lessons, enriches us because sharing our stories in exchange for others’ is probably the best currency for the soul there is.

If there’s one thing you won’t waste your money on, it’s traveling. Travel the world. See another place. Discover a different point of view. Traveling is the antidote to ignorance, that’s so true. It changes your mind, your perspective, how you believe, what you believe. And one of the greatest things you can do when you travel is to travel to a country where they don’t speak your language…. just to make you realize how insignificant you really are. You are not the center of the universe. Trevor Noah

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What Does Travel Teach Us

Show Details

In this episode we talk about why, as humans, we all crave to travel and explore new places and experiences. We also hear from other travelers on what life lessons travel teaches us in the grand scheme of things.

Karthika explores the concept of travel and why as humans, we all crave to explore new adventures, places and experiences. She also shares some life lessons as told by other travelers on what travel teaches us.

The Transcript

Raise your hand, if like me, you too are itching to get away from life for a bit – especially this time of the year. Traditionally the holidays for me and my family are a time to go back home to India to spend time with friends, cousins and just be around family. Some years we have even just loaded the car and hit the road to explore mountains, ski slopes and outdoor adventures.  Going somewhere where things are new and fresh and exciting, where getting up in the morning for a day of adventuring is something to look forward to.

As we near almost half of this current season of CulturallyOurs where we explore the world with the eyes of a local, that feeling of wanderlust seems even more intense. As I chat with folks around the world, I realize that like me, so many people out there are looking for an escape. Now as my guests have shared, while Travel might not be a thing that we can all enjoy in the near future, that doesn’t mean we cannot dream and hope for that extraordinary trip or adventure that will get is feeling great and feeling alive, right?

Even the most travel averse of us has to be feeling like a little escape is absolutely needed to get through all the stuff we have had to deal with these past few months with the pandemic – am I right? Have you ever wondered what is it about travel that offers that sense of escapism from our reality, our mundane. Why is it that so many of us are quick to hop on a plane or drive hours on end to put ourselves out there experiencing something we have no clue about. Almost taking a big risk to see what sort of adventure we will find ourselves in.

In line with our Season 05’s theme of exploring the world with a local where we get a glimpse of life, lifestyle and culture of places around the world from a local’s point of view, today on the CulturallyOurs podcast, I want to talk about travel in a broader context – why do we as humans crave to travel and explore and more importantly, what does travel teach us?

So come join me on this episode of CulturallyOurs.

Sometimes there are things in life that are absolute chance like scoring that parking spot closest to the office when you are running late for a meeting or making the express train just before the doors close. And then there are other things you have to work for like the type of person you become. We often get inundated with stories about the paths we should take, the things we should do, and the ways in which we should measure our successes based on views and attitudes of what society perceives as success, desires, needs and wants. And no matter how true our compasses may want to point north, we sometimes falter. We sometimes lose sight of the authentic lives we long to live filled with happiness, love, a good attitude, and a little more time.

So is this perhaps why so many of us are yearning for a life unlike our own?

A lot can be said for the fact that many of us wear far more hats than one, even if we only have one job. Many of us find ourselves burning the candle at both ends day in and day out. Too often we tap out our creative resources without taking the time to pause, refill the tank, and be a little selfish before we can actually be selfless stewards of the primary thing that matters in life – our experiences. Often too late we realize that we ran out of time to do those things that really matter and exprience the things that really gave us joy.

One of the easiest ways to avoid this feeling of remose is to travel. And travel can mean so many things to so many people. Travel doesn’t always mean exotic far away locations. Sometimes even that weekend getaway close to home is exactly what the doctor ordered as a way to reset, relax and renew ourselves. In fact I was just speaking with a friend the other day, a past podcast guest actually, and I was sharing an idea of how she can take a break by booking an overnight stay in a hotel in downtown Chicago, just to get a sense of being away from the same day to day routine. Sounds like a great idea doesn’t it? Even I am tempted to treat myself to a night away before the year ends.

The more we travel, the more we become observers of humanity. We turn to travel because it reminds us humans are human. We’re going to be out of our comfort zone a lot — like riding a night bus for the first time and taking a leap of faith to trust people we don’t necessarily know. But that sense of trust somehow, oddly, gives us hope. The hats that we wear are replaced by those that we eagerly become in order to understand that what we see around us. We become amateur sociologists, anthropologists, overnight linguists, wildlife lovers, photographers and even chefs. Nearly anyone who’s ever had the chance to see foreign and not so foreign lands will tell you – at the end of the day – we are all looking for similar things. Traveling takes us out of our every day, changes our routine, and gives us the chance to see even the most mundane with the greatest wonder. How many times have you sat down to have a cup of coffee and ‘people watch’ in a foreign place but don’t seem to have the time during your regular Starbcuks coffee run?

Travel forces us to deal with the uncomfortable, the unplanned and the awkward. Lost luggage, missed flight, stolen phones are all part of the process of traveling. They happen despite our controlling mindset. Such experiences teaches us patience, understanding and empathy. It requires us to surrender to the fact that it doesn’t matter who you are and what you do, it’s more about finding the time to be present. The world really is a small place, culturally diverse and infinitely connected.

I asked a few of my friends, fellow travel writers and travel photographers on why they travel and what does travel teach them. We travel because deep down we know the following things are true, no matter how much we might want to deny them.

• Life is too short to do all the things that we might want to do
• What you own shouldnt own you
• People everywhere are kind
• We are more alike than we are different
• Listen more than you speak
• Seek to understand and not to judge
• Slow down – one step at a time is a great pace
• Collect experiences and memories not things
• You are stronger than you ever think possible
• Everything beautiful does not need to be bought
• Change is always a good thing in the long run

What have you learnt from traveling? Why do you do it? We would love to know what life lessons traveling has taught you.

Posted on 12.22.20

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How travel teaches us tolerance and understanding

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• about 4 min

I have a tattoo of the world on my feet. I got it tattooed in Barcelona inspired by these lyrics from the song Below My Feet by Mumford & Sons , “ Keep the earth below my feet. Let me learn from where I have been, keep my eyes to serve and my hands to learn. ”

To love and learn with abandon..

I’d just finished several Workaway experiences in France and was on my way to Morocco before doing another Workaway in Ghana . At that point in time, I had been traveling solo for six consecutive months, with another six months or more ahead of me. I was on a journey of discovery with few plans but one purpose: to love and learn with abandon . I honestly had no idea what that might look or feel like, but I knew travel was an important catalyst for understanding myself and the world in a new way.

As I traveled, volunteering through Workaway became a fool-proof method for opening my eyes, changing my perspective, and teaching me tolerance. More than any of my other travel experiences, it was the best tool for me to cultivate relationships. These connections are all rooted in flexibility, teaching me to appreciate and value unique cultures, traditions, and appearances. Through listening, sharing, and working together I became part of mini communities that thrived not just in spite of, but because of their diversity.

“Us” vs. “Them”?

This week, my heart is heavy with longing for this kind of community to become something we can all experience on a daily basis.

Here in the United States, the largest mass shooting in our country’s history has us reeling, questioning our beliefs, values, and the differences that categorize “us” vs “them” . Unfortunately, it’s only the latest headline reminding us of how these differences can be used to take away what we love most. Yet, we’re not alone. The news feeds simply can’t keep up with all of the latest details updating us on the ongoing crises, violence, and tragedies happening in Paris, Beirut, Bolivia, Syria, and every corner of the world imaginable.

I think the question on many of our hearts is, “What can we do?” . How do we respond to the events and circumstances that so often seem out of our control, yet affect us so deeply? How can we transform our helplessness and grief into active compassion?

I think we begin by connecting…

We reach out to one another. We ask questions without thinking we already know the answers. We put ourselves in situations out of our comfort zone and open our hearts to the unknown.

Whether we visit a country and culture completely different than our own, or choose to explore an area of town we usually avoid, we expose our preconceived ideas to the truth and develop a curiosity to know more. We allow statistics and casualties to become names and faces. We build relationships with our neighbors and break down the walls we’ve created separating us from each other. We feel our fear and choose tolerance anyway.

Hiking to the beautiful Boti Falls in Ghana

While I was in Ghana, I went hiking up a mountainside overlooking the small village where I volunteered for a small non-profit through Workaway. I was with two other volunteers and a friend that we’d made from the local school who was our guide. As we skipped down the overgrown trail laughing and smiling in the hot African sun, I thought of how beautiful and special it was that we were all there together… We were all singing and playing and sharing that spectacular moment. I thought of how just a few decades ago, Americans and Germans were fighting each other in a great world war. I thought of how a few centuries ago, Ghana was one of the largest slave traders to the Americas. I thought of how history doesn’t have to be repeated because now we know better.

What if we were all the same…?

We know how to celebrate our differences instead of destroying them and each other. We know that the more we know, the more we don’t know and that’s okay. We know that we are part of a global community, part of a human family. And there’s nowhere else for us to go. So we might as well get along and enjoy all of the variety. Can you imagine if we were all the same? How boring and monotonous life would become!

So we travel. We travel because it teaches us tolerance. And I promise, we don’t have to go very far to learn its important lesson. All we need are “eyes to serve and and hands to learn” with a willingness to open our hearts. <3

About Mariah

Mariah Friend is a former Workawayer who quit her job to travel the world for fourteen months, embarking on the adventure of a lifetime. Mariah stayed with hosts in France and Ghana, gaining valuable ... show more... experience in the non-profit world and helping her make a career change when coming home. She’s now on a different journey- embracing the joys and challenges of motherhood while living with her husband and toddler in Chattanooga, TN. She credits her experiences with Workaway with helping her build community, change her career, and see the world with an open heart. Mariah is a novelist, poet, and author of Heartbeats, a community for artists, caregivers, and messy humans weaving tapestries of connection rooted in generosity and the power of generative storytelling.

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15 Life Lessons That Only Travel Can Teach Us

As stress, cares, and worries melted away during my time in Portugal this summer, I noticed how much joy and happiness travel brings. I learned valuable life lessons. I believe a lot of it is because most people live – and experience living – vastly different while they travel.   But what if we applied these same simple life lessons to our everyday life? Perhaps it would make the everyday more like a vacation. In my mind, it’s similar to applying a meditation or yoga practice to your life. Let’s apply a “travel practice” to our lives, shall we?   Looking to travel on the cheap? Read this.  

Here are 15 life lessons that travel teaches us:

1. balance: find time for activities, but make time to relax..

Sure, there’s always plenty to see and do. Whether you’re on vacation or in your hometown, you can find much enjoyment in the “doing.” Just be sure you balance the “doing” with an equal amount of relaxing. Taking time to simply “be” gives you the energy you’ll need for the activities. Find your balance.  

2. Allow yourself to get lost.

Don’t follow the crowd! You never know what opportunities or adventures are waiting for you around the corner. Like the old adage: those who wander are not necessarily lost.  

3. Take risks.

Risk and you shall receive. Facing adversity willingly is one of the greatest virtues, and will yield the biggest rewards.  

4. Talk to people.

Listen to their story . . . tell them yours! People are amazing, inspiring, and unique. And guess what? They feel the same about you! Being open to meeting new people is a great way to learn about the world. And who knows – you might make a friend or two along the way!  

5. Only acquire possessions that are truly meaningful and unique.

The baggage will weigh you down. And ain’t nobody got extra money for overweight baggage fees! And if you feel the need to show your loved ones that you were thinking about them while you were away…send a postcard. Don’t bog yourself down with unnecessary clutter. The less you have to worry about, the more spontaneous you can be! Material possessions only mean so much compared to the wealth that lies within.  

6. Put your phone away.

If you’re traveling internationally it’s probably not gonna work anyway, which makes it even easier to stash it. When you travel, it becomes so apparent how much you actually don’t need to be connected ALL THE TIME. Even when you’re not traveling, challenge yourself to some phone-free time every day.  

7. Treat yourself to cheese, carbs, and wine.

8. stressing out about work is a waste of time and energy..

It’s funny how much life and work can survive without you, and without all the stress you put into it. When you’re away from the hustle and bustle just living your life and giving zero f*cks, life just seems sweeter.  

9. Document, document, document.

Keep a journal , take pictures, draw a picture, or write a poem. Every moment is beautiful but also fleeting, and your brain can only capture so much.  

10. Pack your lunch and have a picnic.

Put value in the time you spend eating. Savor each bite against a beautiful backdrop: a local park, your own backyard, whatever your heart desires!  

11. Pay attention to the details.

Architecture, smells, what the sidewalk is made of, signs in the metro, the sound an ambulance makes in another country, slight shifts in temperature…the list goes on. Whether you’re in a foreign land or driving down your own street, take time to notice, appreciate, and savor the little things!  

12. Take your coffee . . . to stay.

You know how they say, “Stop to smell the roses?” Well, when was the last time you stopped to sip the coffee (or tea or whatever the heck you drink)? It’s easy to let your daily routines turn into just that: routine. So switch it up! Bonus points for being ‘green’ and saving a to-go cup.  

13. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Being lost in a foreign place is not only scary, but frustrating. It’s. Ok. To. Ask. For. Directions… or how to use the ticket machine… or what the best dish is on the menu. Same in non-vacation life. When you’re a little lost, ask. Someone is bound to have some great advice.  

14. Accept change, embrace differences.

What’s normal to you isn’t normal to everyone else. Step into their ‘normal’ and see how it feels. It might feel weird, but weird in a new and cool way. Change is good!  

15. Take some deep breaths and take it all in.

NOW doesn’t have a ‘next time.’  

Embrace These Life Lessons and Get Out There!

Here’s to feeling liberated and stress-free whether you’re traveling abroad or reading this from your living room. Those are the life lessons traveling really teaches us.  

wonderful comments!

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Andrea Palesh is a freelance dancer and writer living in New York City. She turned to yoga as a means to become a stronger dancer, not knowing the profound effects her yoga practice would have on her entire life. A mover by nature, she embraces change, challenges routine, and rarely turns down an opportunity to bust a move on the dance floor. If she’s not dancing, you can probably find her doing one of the following things: crafting, traveling, or eating popcorn.

andreapalesh.com

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10 reasons to love travel

What does travel mean to you here are just 10 of the many reasons i love to travel….

• Travel Specialist

In today’s tech-obsessed world, social media may well be the perfect platform to showcase the world’s beauty to armchair travellers across the globe, but travel is so much more than just getting that perfect Instagram shot. Travel should be meaningful. It should excite and inspire you, rejuvenate and ground you, educate and challenge you, and most of all, it should humble you.

Travel gives us our greatest stories, our most cherished memories and countless irreplaceable learnings that we can choose to pay forward to others. It teaches us about ourselves and each other, it broadens our horizons and, just like a reset button, it forces us to refocus on what really matters.

Here’s what travel means to me…

For me personally, travel is a way of life. I was born into a travel-obsessed family and had already lived on three different continents by the time I started school, so wanderlust (and an often ridiculed hybrid accent) was inevitable for me. My sister and I are incredibly fortunate to have parents that insisted that travel was the best classroom and, thankfully, our school holidays were spent exploring fascinating places, both near and far.

Upon graduating university (and turning 21), I was given the greatest gift: the gift of travel. Armed with a round-the-world plane ticket and a sense of adventure, I took off on a six-month solo backpacking trip through Europe, Southern Africa and Australia and, without a doubt, it changed the way I saw the world. So, as a self-confessed travel addict, here are the 10 reasons why I love to travel.

1. Travel to leave our world a better place

I have been fortunate to work and travel with &Beyond for more than 13 years now and what inspires me most is our company ethos and unwavering commitment to care for the land, wildlife and people. Travelling with &Beyond has given me the rare privilege to actively take part in so many unforgettable and truly meaningful experiences, such as: witnessing endangered rhino being safely translocated; observing an elephant cow being collared for research and monitoring purposes; helping to relocate a vulnerable nest laid by an enormous and highly endangered sea turtle; spending a night in a traditional Maasai manyatta (homestead); and so much more. &Beyond ’s authentic, experiential travel not only enables travellers to participate, engage and learn, but it also allows them to travel with purpose and to help leave our world a better place.

2. Travel to meet different cultures

Travel exposes us to different cultures and ancient traditions and through these authentic encounters, we learn to embrace and celebrate both our similarities and our differences. Travel teaches us about humanity and gives us an appreciation, understanding and respect for different points of view and ways of life.

3. Travel to learn

Not all classrooms have four walls and travel is the best way to immerse yourself in geography, history, culture, gastronomy, languages, biology … you name it. Travel enriches the mind and educates us far beyond any textbook or travel guide. Not only do curious travellers learn about different landscapes, languages and lifestyles; glean fascinating facts while observing wild animals in their natural habitat; delve into a region’s history and taste the local flavours; but they also learn about themselves (and each other) along the way.

4. Travel to escape reality

We all need to fall off the radar and escape reality every once in a while. Travel allows us to enjoy complete anonymity in new and unexplored territories. It gives us absolute freedom to live in the moment and it allows us to be anyone, to go anywhere and to do anything. The best part of my six-month trip around the world, way back when, was the freedom of being able to just wake up and pick a spot anywhere on the map and find a way to get there. Travel enables us to be spontaneous and seek new experiences.

5. Travel to relax

Our lives are time-starved and technology-driven and, let’s be honest, it’s not often that we actually take the necessary time to de-stress and truly switch off. Travel allows us to escape life’s daily demands, dramas and deadlines and enables us to clear our minds. It encourages us to recharge our batteries and to truly disconnect (from our phones, Wi-Fi, emails, laptops, social media, etc.) in order to reconnect (with ourselves, each other and the natural environment).

6. Travel to explore

Travel takes us out of our comfort zones and inspires us to see, taste and try new things. It constantly challenges us, not only to adapt to and explore new surroundings, but also to engage with different people, to embrace adventures as they come and to share new and meaningful experiences with friends and loved ones. Whether you seek adrenaline and non-stop activity, or unapologetic siestas and ultimate relaxation, travel gives us the opportunity to explore with an open heart and an open mind.

7. Travel for humility

Without a doubt, travel is a crash course in humility. As we cross borders, and oceans, we gain true perspective. We learn to recognise and be grateful for all of the things we take for granted in our own lives, and we also gain an appreciation and respect for how others live. Travel teaches us to be tolerant, flexible and open-minded, and most of all it makes us humble.

8. Travel to eat

One thing you’ll never find on a suggested packing list is a diet. Leave it at home! Just make sure you bring a healthy appetite and a willingness to taste new flavours and sample all of the local delicacies. Remember, mimosas are totally acceptable at breakfast and dessert is always a good idea. Indulge, go back for seconds and exercise when you get home.

9. Travel to be transformed

Don’t just travel for travel’s sake. Travel to seek adventure and feel alive. Take part in authentic experiences that will not only change the way you see the world, but that will also encourage self-reflection, environmental awareness and global action to help protect and conserve our planet.

10. Travel to live out your bucket list dreams

Every traveller’s bucket list is different. Whether you long to watch the sun set over the Taj Majal, snowshoe on the side of an active volcano, witness Africa’s Big Five and the Great Migration, or find your Zen on a yoga retreat in the Himalayas, if you can dream it, you can do it. Travel is the best medicine and long may it continue to take our breath away and turn us all into storytellers (and committed custodians of our precious planet).

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12 Essential Life Skills Kids Can Learn from Travel

Travel builds confidence, teaches us to be better environmental stewards, and shows us how to deal with things that don’t go exactly as planned

There is something about getting out of your familiar home environment that teaches all sorts of lessons, especially for kids. Road trips can show us the importance of planning ahead, while trips to foreign countries can help us tap into skills like negotiation and problem-solving. Traveling with kids at any age is super important as it lets them see the differences in the world outside of their home as well as how people are similar, even a continent away.

1. Patience  There’s so much about travel that requires patience, from both adults and kids alike. The whole airport experience involves so much waiting in line that you are often drained before you even take off. Learning that often things are out of our control and we need to be patient is a skill we could all use a little more practice with.

2. Navigation Even from a young age, kids can have fun helping you navigate. You can draw up a rudimentary map that has major landmarks on it for little ones, or give older kids an actual map with the destination marked to see if they can follow along. For tweens and teens, learning to navigate a subway system without an app is a skill that will serve them well.

3. How to make friends Little kids have the amazing ability to make friends at the playground in two seconds and that can be true even when you are in another country. Seeking out playgrounds when you travel is a great way for kids to gain confidence in themselves when meeting kids they don’t know. You can search on your map app for playgrounds nearby or use an app like Playground Buddy that maps them all out for you.

Related: Life Skills! Here’s How to Teach Kids to Read a Map

4. Trying new foods If you have kids who are die-hard members of the chicken nuggets club, you might think that a trip to somewhere that (gasp!) might not offer chicken nuggets is a pretty terrifying thought. It’s often when we are faced with no other choice than to try something new that we find a new favorite. (But we support you if you need to keep those favorite snacks in the backpack, in case of emergency!)

5. Problem-solving From packing your suitcase to determining what train you need to get on, there are so many opportunities to develop your problem-solving skills while traveling. You can even take it a step further by asking kids, “what would you do in this situation?” when you are faced with a tough question so that they can really think it through themselves before you take over. It’s also good to rehash a stressful situation after it is over and everyone has calmed down: “Well, that didn’t go as planned! What could we have done differently?” You are out of the stress of the moment but everyone learns from it.

6. There’s a world beyond our neighborhood There’s so much learning that can be done when we leave the confines of our familiar neighborhood and visit somewhere else. Kids can be astounded by things as simple as how to people deal with snow on a daily basis (when coming from a warm climate) or why some countries don’t refrigerate their eggs in the grocery store.

7. Communication skills It’s important when you visit another country to learn how to say simple phrases like, “please,” “thank you,” “how much does this cost,” “excuse me,” and “hello.” It demonstrates that you value the other culture and aren’t just “lazy Americans.” We can use apps like Google Translate as a crutch but often the gist of what you need to communicate can be provided even when you don’t share a common language.

8. Physical skills A family vacation may push you to try activities beyond your comfort zones like ziplining, hiking, snorkeling, and mountain biking. These might not be activities you pursue in your everyday life, but just the experience of trying new things makes you more willing to try more new things in the future.

9. Memories above things Suitcases have a limited size and you can’t bring home every trinket or stuffie you come across on your family vacation. But you know what can definitely be taken home with you? Memories of your time together. Memories of the night you stayed up late playing in a city fountain. Memories of when mom almost got left behind on the subway. These are what will last long after the stuffie has been donated.

10. How to protect our planet Something like seeing the impact of sunscreen on our delicate coral reefs or learning about how species have become endangered due to the carelessness of humans can create a passion in kids to become better environmental stewards. Ultimately, travel can turn us away from the “me-me-me” attitude to a more external view.

Related: 50 Ways Families Can Help Save the Planet

11. Responsibility Taking care of their luggage, managing spending money, and not leaving possessions behind in hotel rooms are just a few of the ways that kids can practice responsibility while traveling.

12. Self-confidence Probably our favorite skill that kids learn while traveling is gaining confidence in themselves. Travel teaches you whether you like quiet, small towns or large, bustling cities. Are you more of a relaxing beach person, or an on-the-go history buff? The opportunities for self-discovery while traveling are endless!

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