Exploration
Exploration (explore) definition, to traverse or range over (a region, area, etc.) for the purpose of discovery. For me, I've exercised/experienced this through travel.
Travel Is...
Travel is Freedom Leaving home for the first time is absolute freedom. The ability to touch down in different cities around the globe and go anywhere on the next train feels incredible. My first backpacking trip around Japan gave me the confidence I was lacking in life and I returned home with a better attitude and new outlook on my direction in life.
Travel is Empowering Travel is all about making decisions. From planning your trip to making a last-second change in a foreign city you are in complete control of your journey. When I first arrived in Thailand I was clueless but by the end of the trip I was in control and ready to plan my next trip. I became the leader by planning trips and eventually taking solo journeys to truly make every decision for myself.
Travel Is About Change...
Travel Brings New Connections Meeting someone from another country changes you. You gain entirely new perspectives on the world from the conversations you have and the meals you share. You realize what you see in the news is not reality and friendships can be formed in all corners of the globe. I’ve made friendships all over the world and they are people I would welcome into my home if they landed in Los Angeles County tonight. Travel friendships are some of the strongest and most unique relationships I have today.
Travel Changes Your Perspective It doesn’t matter where you grow up in the U.S. because you are going to have a unique perspective on the world. The people who surrounded me on a daily basis went from the reddest state to the one of the bluest states overnight. When you travel overseas you realize none of this matters and your views on everything take on a new perspective. You learn how people view your country as a whole and it challenges you to take a harder look at your personal stances. The world would be a better place if we all left our comfort zones and experienced another culture.
Travel Is About Enlightenment...
You Realize We Are All the Same When I sat down with a family for a meal in their home in Thailand I realized we aren’t so different. We have a family we love, jobs to go to during the day, and people are generally good to each other no matter their backgrounds. If I only relied on the American media I would probably never have enjoyed an experience like this. Negative stereotypes disappear when people are exposed to new cultures and places.
Travel is Life-Changing Most people don’t have the opportunity to travel and this is especially true for young students. Think about how much of an impact traveling the world has had on you. The relationships you’ve formed, how your perspective on the world has changed, or the positive changes travel has led to back home. Travel has made me a better person and I am sure you can say the same. It helps young people find purpose in life, introduces them to new cultures and broadens their horizons. Unfortunately, not everyone can grow up traveling the world with their parents or study abroad in college. When kids are exposed to new ideas and cultures at at a young age it has a larger impact on them than for adults. Young adults are at a crucial stage in development and travel can only strengthen them.