We all long for summer vacation or vacation time off of work, but are we really using that time to our advantage? A lot of times people are not traveling as much as they'd like to or should. Traveling is not only something fun to do with time off, but it is also a very educational and healthy experience everyone should get to do at some point in their lives and here's why.

Going away to another country is not only an amazing experience but also, a very educational one. I can tell you first hand that by traveling to several different countries last summer, I learned more about their cultures by being there than I ever did in school. Being in different places for a decent amount of time you get to observe some things that may not happen in your own country. The people's mannerisms are different, the language is different, and (my favorite part), the food is also very different than our own. After a bit, you start picking up on these things, and they just stick with you. Everything you see and learn while traveling, you will keep close to you the rest of your life.

Other than educational experiences, traveling just really opens up your eyes to all the truly breathtaking sites in this world. By going to different countries or states, you see things you never dreamed you would. Almost any time you see something new, you feel your mouth drop open, your eyes widen, the pure feeling of amazement and awe rushing through your body. Just imagine eating an actual Belgian waffle, seeing the Eiffel Tower light up at night right before your eyes, or walking the streets of Florence at night thinking, "Wow I am actually here!" These are things you can't feel while sitting in front of your television or staring at a computer, because in person, in that moment, you feel so successful. Successful because you made it to the places you never thought you would actually get to see in your life, the places you always saw in pictures or in movies, places that didn't seem real until you were actually there.

So travel as much as you can and as far as you can. Go to the places you have always dreamed of, whether that be across the world or in the next state over. Get out and make the most of the experiences you are yet to have. Try new things, meet new people, and definitely try new food. Yes, some vacations can be a little expensive but they are completely worth it, so start saving as soon as possible because every penny counts! Take advantage of the time you have off, because once you start traveling, you will never want to stop.