Home is Not Just Where the Stuff Is

For the longest time, traveling has been trendy, even prior to the invention and development of airplanes. Although, it used to be a luxury reserved only for the wealthy. Now, that is not the case. Between airplanes, ships, trains, buses, or even on foot, just about all terrains are yours to explore.

While many consider traveling to be something that one does for a week or two as a vacation, others are quickly turning the trend into a lifestyle, traveling for months, to even years at a time. As I am sure you have read numerous articles and blog posts about people splitting off from the daily path, packing their bags, and completely uprooting themselves to experience a life in a place that can seem like an entirely different world. If you are anything like me, this has probably struck up a great deal of wanderlust and quite possibly very intense Google searches for how to make this sort of trip happen. This is ultimately followed by looking at your bank statements and wishing that you did not spend so much money on coffee and late-night dim sum (but maybe that’s just me). There are plenty of articles that will explain to you [in depth] about how to save your money, plan and spend wisely, and all the things necessary to execute such a trip properly.

However, this is not what this post is about. This is about why you should look past the digits and travel for a while anyway.

For starters…

You know that quote that goes something like, “Instead of wondering when your next vacation is, maybe you should set up a life you don’t need to escape from?” Well, if you were looking for a sign to leave your day-to-day routine for one that is not so predictable…

You cannot travel to Tanzania or to Nepal for a week.

I’m sorry, but it is not possible. If you believe that you can have a complete experience of a culture in a week’s time, you are wrong. The only instance where spending a minute period of time in a city is a real possibility is if you take a whirlwind trip through Europe, and that still takes time. That dream travel location of yours can only offer so much in such a short period of time. If you truly want to experience a culture, you have to get to know the land you’re walking. In order to feel like a local, you have to dive in and not just stick your toes in the water. It could take anywhere from a month to a year, or longer if you can. Take out your passport and apply for the visa. You are going to need it.

Just like green vegetables, travel is good for your health 

Back in September 2013, there was an article in the  Journal of Personality and Social Psychology that explained, in detail, a study which examined how extended travel influenced personality development in a large sample of German college students. Some of the students in their sample studied in another country for an extended period of time (one or two semesters), while the control group was in college, but did not study abroad. The researchers were interested in how this period of extended travel influenced personality. What they found upon the collection of data via surveys and other testing was interesting. Typically, it was students who were more extroverted who chose to study abroad. Students who embarked on a single-semester program tended to rate higher in levels of conscientiousness (which reflects a need to follow rules and to complete tasks) than those who did not travel. Those who went on a full-year trip were generally higher in Openness to Experience than those who did not travel. Post-study abroad, those who traveled displayed an increase in Openness to Experience, Agreeableness, and Emotional Stability (relative to those who did not travel).

Travel takes people out their comfort zone. It allows for people to adjust to different situations in ways they may have never experienced otherwise. Not to mention, there is plenty to learn from other cities, other cultures, other people! Travel is essentially food for your brain and unlike sitting through another lecture, you will actually enjoy this type of learning.

Speaking of food…well, the food 

Okay, this one is easy. Who doesn’t like eating? Check out the foods to try when traveling abroad. That should be reason enough.

Because it is possible 

Real people do these things. One of our United Planet volunteers left for Kenya last August…and has yet to return. Her time there ends this coming August, and from the looks of her blog, it does not look like she wants to return home anytime soon. You can search back through the archive to look at her first day and to her most recent posts to see how she has grown and all she has seen and learned during her time in Kenya.

Traveling the world is possible. With the aid of the internet and libraries, along with the ease of travel, the world is yours to see. Each person’s situation is different, but we are so lucky to live in such a beautiful world, with so many sites worthy of exploration. There is so much to learn from walking new streets, listening to new sounds, and trying new things. A ship may be safest in the harbor, but that is not what ships are for; and you, my friend, you are a ship.

Lastly, you read all of this for a reason. You want it.

Trust me, I promise you that it is worth it. Travel is worth every dollar, every blister (sneakers and band-aids, baby), every flight delay-induced migraine (Advil is your friend), every rainy day (more time for museums), and every plan gone awry (because all of the best ones do). So flesh out your escape plan, unpack your bags, and stay for a while.

Need further convincing? Check out my two favorite nomads: Legal Nomads and Nomadic Matt!