Everyone should travel to a different country at least once in their lives. Ideally, you’ll travel to many different countries over the course of your life. But why is international travel so widely recognized as an opportunity for personal growth?
It’s Easier to Travel Than You Think
Many people are reluctant to travel internationally because they believe it to be impossibly challenging, or unrealistic. But it’s actually easier to travel to other countries than most people think – especially in today’s technologically advanced era.
International travel avoidance usually boils down to one of two big concerns: logistics and planning or money.
When it comes to logistics and planning, you should know that coordinating an international trip is easier than ever. With the UK ETA program, and similar electronic travel authorization programs throughout the developed countries of the world, you may be able to bypass the process of applying for a visa and get a digital travel authorization within minutes of applying. This is still a new program, and it hasn’t been fully rolled out, but it’s an example of how traveling is getting easier.
When it comes to money, you should know that there are many strategic ways to cut costs without compromising the value of your international trip. Looking for flight discounts, booking during the offseason, staying at youth hostels, couch surfing, and avoiding costly restaurants and tourist traps can all dramatically reduce the cost of your international trip.
The Benefits of International Travel
What are the benefits of traveling to a different country? Why should you consider international travel at all?
- Getting exposed to new cultures. One of the most common motivations for visiting a new country is getting exposed to a new culture. For some people, this is the pinnacle of the traveling experience; you’ll get a chance to see people interact in new ways, you’ll be able to wear new clothes and try new foods, and you’ll be able to participate in events and community gatherings you could previously only imagine. As a result, you could develop more refined taste, better cultural sensitivity, and a broader creative palette.
- Learning new languages. Learning a new language is stimulating and rewarding in a variety of different ways. People who know multiple languages tend to think more creatively and abstractly, and they have more tools and tricks they can use to communicate effectively. If you become proficient in another language, you could also open a career path as a translator – or set yourself up for an eventual move.
- Meeting new people. For some travelers, international travel is all about making new connections. From making small talk with local shop owners to meeting new lifelong friends, this is a chance to connect with people who live in a totally different place and probably have totally different values. Even if you don’t make any “permanent” friends from the experience, you’ll never forget the interesting people you meet along the way.
- Breaking out of your comfort zone. We all have the tendency to get trapped in our personal “comfort zone” without deliberate effort to avoid this outcome. You follow the same routine, go to the same places, watch the same TV shows and movies, and fall prey to repetitive patterns. One of the easiest ways to break out of your comfort zone is to do something new and different, and visiting a new country is one of the newest, most different things you can do. If you break out of your comfort zone in this way, and have a genuinely positive experience, you’ll be more likely to break out of your comfort zone in other ways throughout your life.
- Developing confidence. Some people like to visit other countries because it gives them a chance to develop confidence. Dealing with a language barrier, navigating new terrain, and taking risks with new activities can be scary. But being on the other side can give you a sense of accomplishment and pride.
- Reflecting on your own life. This is an opportunity to reflect on your own life, as well. When you’re in a new environment, engaging in new activities with new people, you’ll begin to see your life through a new lens. It could be exactly what you need to brainstorm a much-needed change to your life – or feel more gratitude for what you already have.
International travel isn’t just for people who have an innate wanderlust, nor is it just for people looking to move to another country. Almost everyone has the potential to benefit from an international trip, assuming they treat it as a learning and enrichment opportunity. If you’ve never been outside your home country, now could be the perfect time to plan your life-changing trip.