I entered my junior year of college with two things in mind…1) hit the bars and clubs once I turned 21 and 2) pump out as many courses as possible to lighten the load on my senior year. This quickly changed when I met the crazy man from Aussie who opened my world to the possibilities. The rest is history.
A major reason why I am saying you need to start traveling now is because until I started traveling I didn’t know what I was missing out on. My world and life view turned a complete 180 when I started seeing the world. I wish I would have gone internationally in high school because I would have learned how insignificant many of the things I was doing from 15-21 were. Even after reading these reasons I will present, you could say that it won’t be the same for you. The thing is, it will. Almost everyone I have known prior to going internationally and then talked to afterward feels the same way. It is just one of those things you have to do to understand. Hopefully, here I will be able to push you to my side of the fence.
Excluding the last 6 months of being grounded, I have taken a flight almost monthly over the last 4 years. I love flying and I love exploring new destinations. I will be taking a trip soon to Colorado to enjoy the wonderful winter for a few days, but besides that I will be looking to focus on business development while my girlfriend attends school. In other words, I won’t be able to travel much over the next year. With that said, I want to make sure all of you are making up for my lack of exploration during this time.
The following are 20 of the Reasons Why You Need to Travel Starting Now….Enjoy!!!
- See the world before it’s gone. – Places like The Great Barrier Reef and Machu Picchu may not be the glorious places they are today in 20 years. Whether it be due to climate change or tourist pollution, there are hundreds of places in the world that you may not be able to see tomorrow so see them today.
- You meet great people. – People like Adam Baker, Karol Gajda, Cody McKibben, Mark Wiens, Dwight Turner, Colin Wright, Sean Ogle, and many many more people are experiencing life by seeing it and you may just run into them while traveling. These are the people you are going to need and want to know in the future and by hitting the tarmac. Experiencing life with these people around the world may lead to you finding the right Life Excursion for yourself.
- You will have cool stories to tell. – I amaze people I meet stateside with some of the stories I tell about my journey’s around the world (like this, this and this) and I suck at storytelling. From working in a grocery to a major financial firm, I have told stories to many a wide-eyed people that they thought were only fairy tales or fictional books. Be that person that people enjoy having at a party because you tell the most random cool stories. To be able to do that you need to see the world.
- It’s cheaper than you think. – If you are looking to be a “baller” in London, then yes, it will cost you big time bucks. But, if you want to see beautiful places and get out of your comfort zone, you can find great deals on flights, hostels, experiences, and so on by taking some time and searching the net. I use Kayak to book my flights, but I know there are many other sites to find cheap airfares. For hostels I go to HostelWorld. Many companies are practically giving away trips because so many people are pinching pennies. I could go on, but I don’t claim to be an expert and this isn’t the post to try to be. What I do think is that anyone can see the world on a few dollars if you are willing to sacrifice.
- You want to have kids. – My parents plopped me into this world when their were in their early 20′s. They never got the chance to see the world and I feel bad for them that they didn’t despite my appreciation for entering the world because of that. Go see the world before you start to have kids so you understand that spreading their knowledge of the world is important. Be able to tell your kid(s) you did this and that. They will look up to you more and more for it as they get older.
- You want to settle down. – I think getting a few excursions under your belt before getting married, starting your career, buying a home will help you appreciate the truly important things sooner rather than later.
- There are millions of hot chicks and attractive guys waiting for YOU. – I know that guy/girl at your workplace or your class or across the bar seems to be the “finest” person you have ever laid eyes on, but trust me, there are millions of others that are just as good looking and that may actually have something in common with you. Go out and meet your international lover that all your friends and family will be jealous of. Just because you carry a single countries passport doesn’t mean you just get it stamped there. (I have to say, I think that is the GREATEST LINE EVER USED here at LifeExcursion)
- Don’t play favorites until you have seen them all. – I am a little guilty of this too. I went to Aussie and fell in love with the place. To this day anything that is Australian, I root for. But, I suggest you go around the world seeing many places before you settle on picking a favorite. It’s kind of like teaching your kids to try it before you judge it.
- Overpopulation. – Overpopulation is already an issue and many places that were once beautiful for their solitary are now the most crowded tourist attractions. Before we get to the point of unsustainability (if we aren’t already there), go and be alone in the glorious worldwide destinations.
- You may find a career/hobby you never knew you liked. – I fell in love with rugby while Down Under. I don’t follow it as much as I would like, but I am happy I found a new sport to appreciate. You may find out your life calling is teaching scuba classes in Jamaica. You will never find out if you don’t go try it first.
- A place to fly your own flag. – I know I am unpopular for this one, but I strive to fly my own flag and not that of any nation. After reading Emergency, I fell in love with this theory. Maybe you will feel the same after exploring the world while reading Emergency.
- You find out where or who you DON’T want to be. – There are people I have met while traveling that I know I don’t want to follow. But, if I had never met them I may have never known this.
- You can learn to write a semi-decent blog. – Example: LifeExcursion
- New Investments. – Traveling the world opens your eyes to the business and investment opportunities you hadn’t seen sitting on your couch watching Lost. You don’t really know what is good to put your money in until you have hand to hand contact with the product or service used or needed. The same rule applies internationally.
This list could be longer (please comment with further ideas/reasons), but I will stop here as I think I have gotten my point across. You need to see the world in all it’s glory. I would hate for anyone to regret not seeing it 20 years from now when the possibility is such a reality. Enjoy your excursions!!!
David Damron
LifeExcursion.
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Great post man! I’m currently working with the intention to travel more in the next months.
All good reasons.
Except #7
There are no Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, German, Ozzie or Kiwi girls travelling around the world.
In fact my advice to the guys is to not bother… just stay at home.
I think Nomadic Neil is right. The only women I’ve met from those countries traveling are in their 50′s or older. Lol!
HAHAHAHA…..Good one NomadicNeil…I completely agree
David Damron
LifeExcursion
Hi Dave,
Great post and an entertaining list on the benefits of traveling! I remember when I was in undergrad one of the professors I looked up to blatantly told the class that if they really wanted to get an education, and to really learn about life, leave school and travel the world for a year. Let me say, that shocked just about everyone. Leave school? Coming from a professor? Here we all were thinking we were doing the right thing, the only thing, the very paramount thing that was going to educate us and change our lives forever (and we were paying dearly for it). And here is this tenured professor telling us that we were doing it wrong, that if what were seeking was to learn about the world and life, the best way to do that was to get out of the classroom and into the world… for far cheaper than the price of a college education!
Cheers,
Miche
My greatest professor and Top 5 intellectuals of all time knew 7 languages, been around the world multiple times, and was free from the constraints of societal stigmas. I think a college education is great (I got one and it changed my life for the better), but I also think EVERYONE should go abroad for some extended time.
Thanks for commenting Miche
David Damron
LifeExcursion
Definitely don’t disagree with that list
I just want to say that #5 and #6 do not need to stop you from travelling – and #6 sucks and is something we all get in and are now trying to get out of (well, not the married part, I guess)…
Excellent post. You touched on this, but one of my favorite aspects about traveling internationally is that is gives you perspective on your day to day life. When I’m abroad, I realize how silly some of the things I worry about at home are. For me, there is absolutely no other way to achieve this unique perspective.
Cheers.
I agree Hugh. You truly realize what is important in life when you are placed in a society that has completely different ideas.
Thanks for commenting Hugh…
Hit me up @DavidDamron sometime
David Damron
LifeExcursion
@NomadicNeil I beg to differ I ran into a fair number of Norwegian and Germans in Australia and New Zealand and Ozzie’s in Canada. If you can’t find any go to that country to find them!
I don’t think you understand….NomadicNeil was trying to “sway” people NOT to visit there for your exact reason without being so direct….HAHAHAHA
Great list! I actually laughed loud enough at “There are millions of hot chicks and attractive guys waiting for YOU” that people turned their heads and gave me a strange look.
Traveling has opened a few new doors for me as well as introducing me to some new hobbies that I rather enjoy now!
hey Adam—-
Those literal LOL moments in coffee shops are great. I love it when something makes me laugh that hard. Glad it did the same for you.
David Damron
LifeExcursion
Ok you’ve convinced me! (Actually, you’ve just reassured me.)
Can’t wait to get out there and make my own stories. And that Emergency book sounds interesting.
Adam…you must pick up that book Emergency. Great read
David Damron
LifeExcursion
Great reasons Dave! I had the privilege of exploring all over China back in 1997 before it entered the WTO. Took thousands of pictures, explored so many great places, I’m so sad the China of old is gone now.
One of the main reasons why I work hard now is to definitely be able to afford the three, 2 week excursions abroad every year. Went to Pompei and Rome last year, thinking about going to Greece, Kobe, and Laos this year.
I’m so excited to go each time. Going to work helps me appreciate my travels more. I’m curious to know once I retire, whether I’ll like traveling less, b/c I’ll have all the free time in the world………… hmmmm.
Best,
Sam
Great post! I grew up in Alabama where people just…well…they just don’t really travel. Last year, I took my first international trip to France, Luxembourg and Germany with my then-boyfriend (now husband) at age 28. And in November, we went to Thailand to get married. I am hooked! Traveling is so awesome – it makes you see the world in such a different way. I am very saddened when people are content to sit in their own comfort zones and ignore the cultures and daily struggles of the rest of the world.
Couldn’t agree more. I think too many people feel it is just ‘easier’ not to challenge ourselves and what we believe is right and wrong. Meeting people from all over the world has opened my eyes to the possibilities mankind has.
Thanks for commenting!!!
David Damron
David, you are so right about traveling. Even though I have not been out of North America like you, I have done much more traveling than most Americans. When Katrina hit New Orleans I helped raise money for the Red Cross. A year later that was not enough and I decided to go there and put some of my carpentry skills to use. It was the most rewarding thing I have ever done. I was a Boy Scout and coached many sports over the last 40+ yrs. Nothing compared to how much fun I had helping others in need.
So I suggest to people that they do like you did when you went to Australia the first time. Work during part of your excursion, It will make your time away from home that much better. Best of all my total trip (air,boarding and food) was under $500!!! Tax deductible too.
Last week people at work asked me if I was going to Haiti or Chile also. That trip changed my life and how people look at me.
I’ve had an urge to travel lately (haven’t travelled before) and this article just pushes me more and more to do it… though I’d like to get out of debt first. As nice as NZ is, I’d like to explore elsewhere too… broaden my horizons beyond what I’ve read in books and seen in films.
Short trip to Gold Cost is on the way in June (three days)… after that… THE WORLD! Or bits of it.