I was very lucky to be able to visit several destinations around the world when I was young. Travel is an exciting experience that gives us the opportunity to experience new cultures, learn about centuries of history, and broaden our view of the human experience.
Thinking back, I am reminded of the wonderful lessons I have learned while traveling abroad.
This is a lesson that has opened my mind, opened my heart, and changed me for the better.
This is a lesson I know I will never learn at home.
Traveling is an educational experience.
There are some things that you can’t understand through your books or electronic devices. As much as I love history, I can never appreciate the architectural splendor and sights I see in pictures. The enormity of some of history’s greatest triumphs and tragedies is also beyond me.
The best educational experiences I’ve had while traveling can’t be pinned to one event or place. It’s been a journey of discovery and exploration. Visiting the Colosseum in Rome, walking through the halls of the Louvre in Paris, seeing a stunning waterfall on Jeju Island in South Korea, being part of a Mass led by the Pope in St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, visiting the Dachau concentration camp in Germany, and touring the the great halls of Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria have all but given me a new appreciation for history.
Travel makes all the pictures and stories you see and hear into real memories that you will remember longer than anything you could retain in history class. Often, these personal experiences can heighten our interest in a particular part of history and make us want to learn more.
Travel teaches you to step outside your comfort zone.
For some people, the act of traveling may be enough to make them feel adventurous. For others, it may be base jumping in Swallow’s Cave in Mexico (something I would never have dared to do myself). It can also visit locations that challenge me emotionally. In 2014, I visited the Dachau concentration camp in Germany, a profound experience that reminded me that through a time of unimaginable suffering and hatred, there is also strength, courage and hope.
For some people, being able to try new and exotic dishes. My most exotic, and perhaps traumatic, experience with food was trying san nak ji, a Korean specialty in which live raw octopus is cut into small pieces and served live. While you will never be able to convince me to try again, you will also never hear me say I regret trying it. Even something small, like deciding to step out of the hotel and shop in Seoul with just your wallet and an “English to Korean Translation” book, can become a comfort zone.
Travel teaches you to slow down and see the beauty around you.
We live in a very beautiful world, but often we miss it because we are too caught up in the hustle and bustle of life. My favorite view during my trip was the view over the mountain town of San Marino, Italy. After my friend and I made a steep hike up a narrow rocky road, we got there just in time to see the most beautiful sunset. We sat on an empty bench in complete silence for over an hour.
My second favorite view is the view from Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany. The castle is located in a remote area (the structure itself was built for a king who wanted complete solitude), and the views are absolutely stunning. This experience, among many others, has taught me to slow down and appreciate the beauty around me. Especially when you travel abroad, you learn to focus on architecture. It’s amazing to think of buildings that have been around for hundreds – some for thousands – of years. It’s an experience you just can’t get in the United States.
Travel gives you perspective.
When you visit another country, you have the opportunity to learn from other cultures and traditions. It teaches you to be empathetic towards others and their beliefs, even if they are different from your own. In France, I learned that eating should not be a tiring experience, but rather a time to enjoy food and enjoy the company of other people. In Italy, I learned that an after-dinner stroll (passeggiata) can be the end of the fun and the best way to stay active.
In Nicaragua, I was reminded that many people live in unimaginable poverty. It’s a culture shock that can only affect you in a positive way, forcing you to give back to the world and help in any way you can. It also teaches you to respect the most basic needs. In Normandy, I learned to respect the people who risk their lives every day to protect the freedom of our country and its people. I also learned that life is a precious gift that should not be taken for granted. There is so much to learn from other cultures, and while many of us disagree with everything we see or experience, there is much we can choose to apply to our lives if we are open to new experiences.
Travel has fostered a sense of curiosity in me, and it is humbled to be reminded that you are never too old to learn and experience something new and exciting. Ultimately, I’ve learned to never take life for granted, that the situations that challenge us change us for the better, and that living in the moment and not being afraid to take risks can lead to the most memorable experiences of your life.
Brian Levesque, is a seasoned world traveler who has visited every corner of the world. She recommends, when traveling, stashing your essentials safely in a bag as provided in adventurelion.com. You can learn more about Brian at Google+.
