Traveling is one of the most important factors to understanding other cultural traditions, which is how countries are able to communicate. People not only learn about other cultures when they travel, but they seem to find themselves because they are experience such new places and are able to realize what they want to accomplish in life.
Now you might be thinking about the costs of being able to travel around the world, but it is not only about traveling around the world, but traveling state-to-state also. I have never had the experience of traveling out of the country, besides to Canada, but I feel that I have learned a lot from just traveling around America. There are many different types of people, who live different lifestyles, that are just a state or coast over. I have had the opportunity to travel to the west coast at least six times within the last three years and being out there is awesome because the people are very outgoing and fun and share similar beliefs with myself. They want you to come participate in the activities they enjoy as well, as such skiing, mountain biking, and hiking. Although not everyone can afford a flight, these activities are also done in many states around New England.
Not only do people travel to participate in activities they enjoy, but also to give back to other communities they may or may not have ever been too. Mission trips are a huge part of traveling from both state-to-state and country-to-country. I live in New Jersey and after Hurricane Sandy I went on a mission trip, to help rebuild houses, only a few hours down state. So although I was not traveling far, I was giving back to a community I had never been too. I also know that at the University of New Hampshire, they do mission trips to the south to help build schools and work with children, as well as travel abroad for certain nursing majors.
Traveling seems to create independence within someone, even when you are traveling with other people. There are certain responsibilities you have to uphold and there is something about meeting new people and seeing new places that create a bigger picture of your life. Many people have trouble understanding other cultures or how others live because they have never taken the time to experience it first hand. When they do experience it, sometimes it is good and sometimes not so much, but there is still a learning curve that is created and helps people to create their morals.
College is such a great time to be able to travel. Although many college students are broke, you have the time to see new places and experience new things. Once you graduate it is much harder to travel because you have to get a job and start the real world life. Many people take a year off to travel either before or after college, which I think is a great idea or even taking a trip the summer after one graduates because it really helps to focus and set you mind to the right direction of where you want to go in life.
