I recall the evening before I left to my mission’s trip early May — I was wide awake underneath my covers thinking to myself, “Oh my goodness, I am leaving the U.S. for the first time to serve my Heavenly Father.” After having my funds fully paid for by the gratitude of my loved ones, I had a short time to be still and pray for my team, and heart for the journey I was about to endure. It is amazing how God can put a desire in your heart to know more of who He is by sending you to unfamiliar places. There were a few lessons I learned along the way while traveling to serve children throughout the three-month summer.
1. Wandering Outside Your Comfort Zone Is The Best Way to Grow
After leaving my hometown in San Diego to go to college in Phoenix, I didn’t realize how much I absorbed when meeting new people from different parts of the nation, living away from my parents, and discovering my inner passions — this time it was a little different. I was ready to embark on a new journey of growth by traveling to Cambodia and Thailand. When I landed in Phnom Penh (capital of Cambodia) I felt the adrenaline that immediately came over me as I passed through the customs agents. After leaving the airport I saw hundreds of people eating their late night supper outside their developing residential complexes, and others whirring on their motorcycles as the night came to a close. That is when I knew I was ready to grow more than what I was used to seeing, living, believing, and feeling.
2. Embrace Cultures Different than Yours
One thing I had to keep in mind and learn immediately before traveling to East Asia was to have my worldview, and opinions as a secondary source while broadening my knowledge about the opposite side of the world. As a visitor in Cambodia and Thailand, I appreciated how Khmer and Thai communities keep their families central in regards to their ideas, beliefs, and decisions. Every family member is treated with honor, respect, and dignity to sustain the strong family values they have had for generations. That said, it helped shape my beliefs surrounding the importance of family, and the essence of bringing community together for the common good of society.
3. If You Can, Avoid Western Food!
Before I left on my missions trip, I made a promise to my older brother that I wouldn’t eat anything that reminded me of home. From the Pad Thai to the Panang Curry, and authentic Thai Tea, I was in for an amazing journey to explore different kinds of foods than I wasn’t used to. Also, trying a fried tarantula was worth a treat before leaving Cambodia, talking about expanding your horizons with your taste buds!
4. Journal, Journal, Journal
Nothing is better to document and debrief after exploring a brand new country. When you do travel, attempt to focus and observe a little closely at the beauty the country has to offer. Whether it is a girl singing on the corner of the street, buying authentic tea, or talking to a local, make your experience special so that you can process and continue to enjoy the time you have left at an unfamiliar place.
5. Share Your Story With Others
Nothing is more inspiring to share your experience with others. There are many young people that have the desire to wander rather living a complacent life. As a young and single college student, it is essential to learn more than what you know — newsflash actually, we as young people know very little about the world so feel free to explore when the opportunities do show up. You’ll not only grow as an individual but you’ll have a better appreciation for humanity altogether. It is an exquisite feeling to know that despite our differences as humans, our desire to make our communities and world a better place is undoubtedly, universal. Russian writer Leo Tolstoy once said, “The sole meaning of life is to serve humanity.”
You never know where your passions and experiences can lead you when you take the first step to pursue something that is slightly restless, and electrifying all at the same time.
https://www.verywellmind.com/what-are-collectivistic-cultures-2794962
https://www.dumblittleman.com/benefits-of-traveling/