We all know that traveling the world is an eye-opening experience. You never return quite the same person as when you left. Travel can change who you are as a person and have a positive impact on your life.
Here are four ways that travel changes you for the better.
Getting out of Your Comfort Zone
There’s something about stepping into an airport and jetting off to a new destination that makes you feel more….free. I don’t really know how to describe the feeling, but it makes you feel less stressed about what you’re taking a break from. You tend to want to try new things and experiences that you may not have thought about in your home country.
Ever wanted to eat a scorpion in Thailand? Well, it’s now or never!
I personally have never really been a nightlife person but being abroad there’s something about going out at night and exploring a city.
Exposed to New Cultures and Language
Exploring new countries also comes with a little bit of a learning curve. The longer you stay in a country, the easier the learning curve becomes. Learning about local cultures and the way of life opens your mind to new ideas.
If you have a short amount of time in a particular country, participating in local events is a great way to meet the locals. Personally, I like using the app MeetUp to find things to do in the area. Most of the events are hosted by locals. They can range from outdoor activities to pub crawls and walking tours. It’s a great way to meet other traveler, expats, and locals in a fun environment.
Many of my local trips around Thailand where in a weekend MeetUp group. I learned about farming, local delicacies, different Thai provinces, and explored islands that I’ve never heard of.
Learn How to Adapt to Your Surroundings
If you’re in a place where you don’t understand the language or can’t read street signs, it’s time to adapt to your new surroundings. Learning to go with the flow and understanding that not everything is going to be perfect is a skill that is learned on the road.
There have been times where I’ve been frustrated because I wasn’t able to get my point across. What I wanted to say was lost in translation or interpreted the wrong way. In my experience, the language barrier is the hardest part of adapting to your surroundings.
After being in a country for a few days, you’ll start to hear the same phrases and pick up some words. It’s always good to at least learn how to say ‘hello’ and ‘thank you’ in the local language.
Even after living in Thailand for 3 years, I still can’t speak Thai, but I’ve learned a few helpful words and phrases from my students and other teachers at the school.
Another thing to keep in mind is that sometimes when you’re abroad, things don’t always work out in your favor. Getting angry isn’t going to help the situation either. Handling things in a calm manner and realizing that you are a guest in another country will make all the difference.
Generally, most people are willing to help you if you need it.
Newfound Appreciation for the Simple Things
Little comforts of home soon become items that you intentionally seek out when you’ve lived abroad for long enough. I know that I get a little excited when I can actually read the label or ingredients of things at a supermarket. Things that you typically take for granted are little wins abroad.
When I’m able to navigate a city or area without using a map, I become more comfortable because I’m not checking my phone to see if I’m going in the right direction. It also makes me look more local. After a while in the same area, the shop owners will start to recognize you and stop trying to sell you something as you walk by.
One thing that I always appreciate is when the locals can speak English. Learning a second language and speaking with a native speaker can be intimating. I always appreciate the effort that they are trying to make my life easier by speaking my language. Being able to talk to someone in the same language is something that you definitely take for granted. The moment you realize that it’s not there as easily as it was, it makes you appreciate it more.
