Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, North America, South America and Antarctica are the seven continents that make up this vast world and some areas have been explored, but many have not. There is so much we can learn about this world if we just take a look and travel. I have been fortunate enough in my life that I have traveled around North America and Europe, but there is still so much more to see.

One day, I will travel the world. I grew up in a small town with very little diversity and I have a thirst for new adventure. I want to see and experience new cultures and ways of life; make friends around the world and experience each of the Wonders of the World, ancient and new. From The Great Wall of China to The Roman Colosseum to Machu Picchu, I yearn to see it all. Why? Because it’s something new, exciting and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity (generally).

People have asked me, “If money were no object, what would you do?” and for me that answer is simple: travel the world. These landmarks and cultures teach us so much more than reading about it in a textbook or novel. I can get lost in a world of books, imagining I’m with the characters, but nothing beats the real thing. My favorite series as a child was “The Magic Tree House,” where Annie and Jack explored the world in their treehouse--bending time and space and facing challenges to get home, only to find more adventure. This series showed me through literature I could learn more about the world and imagine I am there, but as I grew older, I wanted the real thing.

I have driven across the United States with my family, hitting the major landmarks of Yellowstone National Park, The Grand Canyon, Gettysburg and so many more, and we have spent two weeks in Europe, but it leaves me wanting more. I want to visit every state in America, spend time backpacking all of Europe, explore ancient ruins and learn new languages. Everyone says that when you are young it is the best time to travel, which may or may not be true, but I do not care at what age I travel. I don’t think it matters. I believe that you can continue to learn throughout your life and that the best way to learn is to experience. Experience opens your eyes to new ideas and ways of life through so many different forms of travel.

Whether you travel through volunteer experiences with groups or with your own map and agenda, get out there and go. Traveling will allow you to see more than you ever thought you could and it will help you to create relationships around the world, learning not only about different cultures, but also about yourself. I often find that the more time you take to learn about and help other people, the more you tend to learn about yourself and what better way to learn than to travel?

I plan to travel the world one day. Do you?