Traveling the world allows you to see just how big and diverse the Earth really is. Some people may prefer heading to sunny, sandy beaches. Others prefer hiking up to the top of snow-covered mountain peaks.
The best part about traveling is there’s always something for everyone. With all the new experiences and challenges, you’ll inevitably learn about yourself and others along the way.
Keep reading to find out the 5 best educational benefits of traveling so you have more excuses to book that next trip!
- Learning About Other Cultures
Once you set foot into a foreign country, the differences in the culture immediately bombard you. Social etiquette and lifestyle vary greatly depending on what part of the world you’re in.
Traveling, especially slow traveling, allows you to integrate into a culture and learn the ins and outs. You’ll identify ways they differ from your own culture and realize how many similarities you share.
You do not need to travel far to get exposed to another culture. Even traveling to different regions within your own country will introduce you to new ways of living.
- Learning a New Language
Part of immersing yourself in a new culture is learning the language. You do not need to become fluent to communicate. In fact, many countries in the world used English along with their mother tongue.
Learning a few common phrases will help you get around easier. It also develops your listening and speaking skills.
If you want to learn a new language, getting real-world experience by visiting a place with native speakers greatly helps.
- Learning About History
If you do any tours or explore monuments while traveling, you end up learning about the city’s culture and history as well. Historical landmarks give you a first-hand look into the past. Most even come with free information for you to self-educate.
History learned through textbooks alone is often dry and unmoving. When you’re standing in front of the Parthenon or walking through the halls of Auschwitz, it’s much easier to understand historical events and their impact.
- Learning Social Skills
Traveling to a new place helps you overcome social anxiety and shyness while developing your social skills. It’s impossible to get from point A to point B in a new place without interacting with anyone at all. You need to buy tickets and ask for directions or advice from locals.
Traveling forces you to learn how to communicate with strangers, even ones who don’t speak your language, and recognize the world is not as scary as it seems.
- Learning to Trust Yourself and Be Independent
The biggest thing that travel teaches you is how to be independent and trust yourself. Traveling encourages you to be proactive and plan things to do. It also helps you learn how to react to and overcome things not going as planned more positively.
You can always find things to do online too by researching before you travel. This way you know you have something to look forward too. It also helps you avoid getting ripped off by people taking advantage of inexperienced travelers.
Travel Advice and Recommendations for New Adventurers
These 5 educational benefits of traveling are just the tip of the iceberg. Travel opens your eyes and your mind like nothing else.
You’ll learn compassion for others and more about yourself than you ever could just sitting at home.
Are you ready to start an adventure?
Check out the Odd Culture blog for some great tips and tricks for first-time travelers.