If you are looking for an opportunity to meet new people, discover new ways of life and visit picturesque landscapes in beautiful countries, then traveling abroad is something you have most likely considered before. If you have any friends or relatives who are well traveled, then it’s likely you already know how life-changing an experience it can be to experience new cultures. Of course, while you may have considered following in their footsteps to leave your mark on the world, sometimes it can be daunting to take that final step and push yourself.
People spend hundreds of dollars every year going to exotic new places on vacation, but what do they really get out of it in the end? A few weeks in the sun with no purpose and nothing productive to take away from spending their valuable time and money. However, there are some traveling experiences which will assist you in getting out of comfort zone and will leave a lasting impression on you, mind body and soul. The key to traveling is to find opportunities and activities which will stay with you for a lifetime, and leave you with a feeling of achievement which you can carry into your own life back home. Here are a few ways that traveling could change your life for the better.
Meeting new people
By traveling abroad, you will have the unique opportunity to discover new ways of living which are specific to the different regions that you will visit. Whereas if you visit a holiday resort, you often will only interact with other tourists, by visiting rural areas frequented by locals, you will get the chance to actually get to know the real lifestyles of local communities. Often the media only portrays certain aspects of other countries, and these are normally biased portrayals made to see you view foreign lands in a certain light. It is important to make new friends who can provide you with varied and unique outlooks on life. Traveling is also a fantastic method of networking with people from around the world, and will enable you to forge new contacts which could be of benefit to you in both a personal and professional capacity.
You will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in not only the current cultures and traditions of each country that you visit, but also their rich history and origins. Travel to countries such as Egypt, Italy, and Greece to learn about polytheistic religions which worship multiple gods. You could uncover the history of the Roman empire, or discover the different Chinese dynasty’s. Becoming more cultured with broaden your horizons and enable you to be more aware of the world and people around you.
Be a part of something bigger
If you volunteer overseas, you will get the opportunity to discover the world, and experience sights and cultures that you have only ever heard about from other people. Daily life can become tedious, and often people find themselves wanting more opportunity for diversity and discovery. When you stay stagnant in one place, everyday life becomes very predictable: the scenery doesn’t change, you interact with the same people on an almost daily basis, and you become stuck in repetitive routines.
Volunteering helps you to put your own life in perspective. Sometimes people become blinkered to wider society, as they are so focused on what is happening in their own world. It is important to take a step back sometimes and immerse yourself in the bigger picture. You may well find that by volunteering abroad, you can discover more purpose in life, and figure out what changes you need to make back home in order to be a happier and healthier person. It is easy to take life for granted, which is why it is so important to take yourself out of your comfort zone and try something new.
There are a whole host of varied roles available to volunteers nowadays, so it is easy to find the right project for you as. Consider where your skills lie, and the sorts of roles you feel you might be more suited towards. For example, if you want a new challenge, then you could consider becoming an assistant in a health care center, doing basic tasks to support the doctors and nurses in each establishment you visit. If you have some healthcare experience, then there are even more roles which you can get involved in, all while doing something which you enjoy.
Experiences like these are what would make your travels rewarding and allow you to feel as though you have truly made a difference in the world. The best thing about a lot of volunteering roles is that experience often isn’t compulsory, and you will receive a lot of basic on the job training throughout your time abroad.
Develop new skills
Traveling will allow you to develop new skills for yourself, which may well be transferable to your working life back home. Take on new challenges and visit different terrains yourself with as diverse a skill set as you can. Go on hiking trips, and life skills excursions, such as learning to sail, which can teach you the importance of teamwork and help you to develop your communication skills so that you are able to effectively connect with a range of different people of all ages and backgrounds.
Conquer extraordinary feats such as walking the Great Wall of China or climbing Kilimanjaro to boost your self-confidence and prove to yourself and others that nothing in life is impossible. Activities like this will also teach you the importance of being organized and following instructions well, as otherwise your health and safety would be at risk. You may also be able to develop more life skills, such as learning to cook and cater for other people, and even basic skills such as problem-solving.
Traveling abroad provides a once in a lifetime opportunity to create memories which you will never forget. So if you really want to get the most out of your experiences, dare to be bold and try something new.
