5 Reasons You Should Travel While You’re Young

I have been very fortunate to travel extensively to different parts of the world while I’m still young. I have travelled abroad to the United States, Nigeria, Dubai, the Netherlands, Great Britain, Portugal, Germany, France and the list goes on. I lived on my own in Boston for a few months and I’ve recently moved to Dublin city to work in the IT world after completing my master’s degree. I wouldn’t trade my experiences for the world and I still have so many countries yet to visit. Based on my experience, I recommend every young person get out of their comfort zone and see what’s out there. Here are 5 ways traveling has changed me over the years.

Traveling humbles you enough to realise it’s not all about you

If I hadn’t had the opportunity to travel when I was younger, I would have a difficult time envisioning much else outside my comfort zone. Traveling helps you see that the world is much bigger than your perspective on it. You soon realise that the world does not revolve around you. Although this doesn’t mean you’re not important, it does change your perspective to be more open to learning about other people and situations.

You become more self-reliant

Just as traveling is humbling, it is also empowering. From paying your own bills to dealing with complicated visa arrangements, you become more self-reliant because you have yourself to trust to get things done right and on time.  The benefit of being self-reliant is that you are in control of the situation, learn from your mistakes, and hopefully use these lessons to improve on other aspects of your life.

Traveling changes how you relate to others

When I travel, I learn a lot about other cultures. This helps me realise that my life could be more enriched through friendships with people that do not act or look like me. I am grateful for the friendships I have developed with people who are nothing like me but exactly what I need. This has taught me to embrace and not fear relationships and experiences that were outside my comfort zone.

Traveling gives you sympathy for global suffering

When you travel, you truly appreciate what you have that you take for granted. I have seen many people living in poverty that is unfathomable to those who have neither walked their streets nor heard their stories. Watching the evening news on the television or listening to the radio takes on a whole new meaning when you have a personal connection with the people there. You lose the egoistic attitude that can sometimes develop when you can’t relate to “that part” of the world.

Traveling pushes your educational horizon

Sadly, history was not my favorite subject in school. However, when I visited the palaces in Sintra, saw the remnants of the Kalakuta Republic on Agege Motor Road, listened to Fado music at the Fado Museum in Alfama, visited the Berlin Wall in Germany, and walked the freedom trail in Boston, I couldn’t help but get a new appreciation for history. Traveling truly makes history come alive. The stories were no longer pictures in frail history books but tangible memories you remember much longer than anything you studied in school.

Getting out of your comfort zone can help you immerse yourself into cultures which are different from your own . The world is a stunning place and I am very grateful for the lessons, experiences and the many years I have left with this version of myself to continue the adventure.

What have you learned from traveling?