This summer, I have been lucky enough to travel to Yellowstone National Park and Germany. Both of these trips have given me unforgettable memories I know I will cherish for a lifetime. Traveling has also taught me a lot, and I have compiled five lessons I have learned from flying around the globe.
- Part of the joy of exploring a new place is learning about it.
My trip to Yellowstone was part of a summer course. I had never traveled for educational purposes before, so I was nervous that doing assignments and following a strict syllabus would ruin the experience of visiting Yellowstone for the first time. Looking back on the trip, I wouldn’t change a thing. While it was far from a vacation, this trip reminded me how much I love learning, especially about a new place. Yellowstone, in particular, is a truly fascinating place. Being able to visit museums and speak to experts about the wildlife, geothermal features, and other aspects of the national park made my first experience at Yellowstone unforgettable and very fulfilling.
While I didn’t associate learning with traveling before this trip, now I see that new places peak our curiosity for a reason. There is no better way to make the most of a trip than by learning about the places you are visiting, whether you take an entire course or simply do some independent Google research.
- If you don’t ask, the answer will always be no!
While I was in Germany, my friends and I boarded a ferry. We walked to the top deck and stood next to the bridge where the captain drives the ferry. Hanging next to the bridge was a giant bell, so, of course, I turned to my friends and said, “What do you think would happen if we rang that bell?” Honestly, I thought I was just asking a silly hypothetical question, but my friends’ faces lit up, and they immediately devised a plan to ring this bell. When the captain walked by us to enter the bridge, one of the girls with me asked if she could ring the bell. With a stern tone, the captain responded with a simple “no” before joking that we could drive the ferry instead. He walked into bridge laughing.
For a few minutes, we stood outside the bridge, watching the sunset from the top deck. Suddenly, the captain stepped into the open doorway of the bridge and motioned for us to come inside and actually drive the ferry. We all took turns in the captain’s seat, pushing buttons to turn the ferry left and right. The captain eventually explained that this was the first time he let a passenger do this in years.
Before this experience, I thought asking silly questions was pointless, especially when the answer was bound to be no. In reality, if you never build up the courage to ask the silly question, the answer will always be no. Who knows where you could end up if you simply take the chance and ask anyway!Â
- Hard work pays off in the end.
In the past month, I have hiked in some extraordinary places. In Yellowstone, I hiked in high elevation for the first time, which was harder than I expected. We spent two days in Germany hiking through the Alps, which was more beautiful than I could’ve imagined. Some of these challenged me to hike up high inclines when I was tired and ready to head home. Some of them put me in harsh temperatures and rain while carrying a heavy backpack. Some of these hikes even led me through fields with cows that got a little too close for comfort. Despite these different challenges, in the end, the hardships were worth the view of a beautiful mountain landscape.
These experiences all reminded me of past semesters when I had so much work, I couldn’t believe that one day, I would finish it all. Looking back, I remember the happy memories the most, the memories that reminded me there was a light at the end of the tunnel. Whether you are going through a tough semester or going on a difficult hike, hard work always pays off in the end.
- Allow yourself to get out of your comfort zone.
During both of my trips, I went out of my way to do things I wouldn’t normally do. At Yellowstone, I had to talk to strangers in an attempt to better understand local communities around the national park. At the beginning of the trip, I was not comfortable starting conversations with random strangers. After a few days, I began to realize that most people were open to talk, and these conversations generally gave me the best insights. Even if it could produce awkward situations every once in a while, the majority of conversations became natural and allowed me to see life through someone else’s eyes.
While I was nervous to have conversations with strangers before the trip, now I understand the value of connecting with others despite potential awkwardness. Getting out of my comfort zone in this way has led me to alter the way I approach conversations with others, especially strangers.
- It is more about the people than the place!
The biggest lesson my recent travels have taught me is that, no matter where you are going, the people you meet, spend time with, and think about are what make the location significant. During both of my trips, I met, bonded with, and spent time with so many people. When I look back on my most vivid memories, they are all connected to the people I was with. I don’t remember seeing the Alps for the first time simply because of the view; I remember the shared awe I experienced with my friends. While my experience at Yellowstone is memorable because of major landmarks like Old Faithful, it is permeated by both silly and serious conversations I had throughout the trip. At Yellowstone and in Germany, I was also constantly reminded of those I left behind. I bought postcards and took random pictures to send to friends because these places are more than simple locations to visit and gawk at. They are connective tissues that bring us together.Â
While we travel to see places, traveling is also about people. Our memories are connected to others, whether they are there to experience the moment with you or not. Traveling with others is special because, in the end, it is less about what you do and more about who you do it with. People give places significance, even in our memories.
Whether you are traveling across the world or a few minutes down the road, make the most of it. Take every opportunity to learn more, ask silly questions, work hard, step outside of your comfort zone, and enjoy the moment with those you care about!