To preface, this article is written based on my own experiences with traveling, not on scientific studies done about the benefits of traveling. This article also looks at traveling in America, not in the broader world; however, I do recommend international travel if possible.
I was 16 when I took my first solo cross-country trip. Growing up in a military family, moving and cross-country travel was routine for me. While moving every few years was difficult when it came to my friendships, I relished the aspect of being able to experience a new environment and to meet new people. At 16 I flew to New England from Florida, by myself, to attend a two-week long summer program at Thomas More College of Liberal Arts. In the fall of that year I drove across the Southwest states with my dad. The next year at 17, my sister, a friend, and I road tripped from Florida to Maine and back again. Later that summer, I went to a different college, Thomas Aquinas College, for another two-week program. The summer before my freshman year of college, I flew up to Connecticut to visit my other sister and her family.
Why am I sharing this? Is it to brag about the myriad of opportunities I’ve had to leave my home state? To the second question, the answer is no. While I have had more opportunities than the average person to travel, the point of this article is not to brag about it. It is to encourage people to take the opportunities to travel when they come, and to create those opportunities if they can. I’m going to share a few things I’ve learned about the world through traveling, and a few things I’ve learned about myself.
- America is beautiful. Literally.
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This country is gorgeous. I’ve been up and down the East Coast many times, across the Southwest, and I’ve driven through California. Every state is unique, from the vegetation and the weather, to the architecture and the people. The ancient Appalachians are mere rolling hills compared to the grandeur of the Rockies. The waves of the Gulf Coast are calm when contrasted with the power of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. There is so much beauty to be found in the cornfields of Kansas, in the small towns in north Massachusetts, in the ghost towns of New Mexico. The natural beauty of our country is so rarely appreciated these days, and an easy way to reconnect to the land and with nature is by exploring it.
- Making friends is easy when you give people the option to be kind.
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I was nervous about going to the first college summer program. I only knew one other person who was going, but we weren’t close friends, and I was flying by myself. Once I arrived, however, I soon made friends with the other teens who were already there. Friendship is a two-way street. Once you initiate a conversation, the other person has to reciprocate. Maybe we were all nervous and over-eager to connect with the others, but my group at that summer program grew seamlessly into a tight-knit community. Because of the fact that the 40 of us were living in close quarters and putting on a technically-involved Shakespeare play, we had to be kind to one another. There wasn’t time for petty squabbles, and no one had the patience to sulk at misfortunes. Even when people were tired, they chose to be kind, and this developed incredibly strong bonds. Kindness and empathy are key in developing relationships. Everyone comes from different backgrounds and is deserving of respect.
- New experiences are gateways to new memories.
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This one is self-explanatory. How can you create new memories if you don’t break out of the routine? Sure, you can look back on a year and relish in the fact that you did the same thing every day, or you can look back and think, “Wow, that day trip to St. Augustine was amazing.” Or, “I’m so glad I created the opportunity for myself to fly to Michigan for that weekend.” Whatever the case may be, new experiences tend to create stronger and longer lasting memories.
- It’s almost always better to under-pack.
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This one seems a bit silly, but as a certified overpacker, it’s practical. One barrier for people who want to travel but don’t know where to start, is the anxiety of packing enough, or being sure to pack the right supplies. Walmarts exist in every town in America for a reason. If you forget something or aren’t able to pack it, typically you can buy it. And the lighter you are able to travel, the easier it will be for you to go from place to place and enjoy the experience.
- You ARE capable!
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Yep, that’s right. Traveling, whether flying, roadtripping, or taking a train, does come with problems. Sometimes plans don’t work out and things start to fall apart either before the trip, mid-trip, or at the end. You just have to be determined to make it work, and to not let the mishaps get you down. At that first summer program, I came down with a cold days before we were supposed to perform the play. It hindered my mental, emotional, and physical battery. I could have complained about it and made myself feel worse, but instead I prioritized getting more sleep, nutrients, and rest so I could be at the play. By the end of the two-weeks I was exhausted, but I left with a healthy mindset and a new confidence in my own self-care.
- Green-chile cheeseburgers are the best, and that is a hill I will die on.
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What? They are! I tried a green-chile cheeseburger while in Socorro, New Mexico with my dad––actually at the restaurant where they had won a cheeseburger contest against Bobby Flay. It was great, and is now a memory of my dad that I cherish. The point of the matter is that I think you should always try at least one new food wherever you go: lobster rolls in Maine, an egg sandwich in North Carolina, or shrimp gumbo in Alabama. It gives you a taste of each state’s culture, and helps you open up to trying new things slowly.
These are only a few things about all my years of travel. I have many more, both written and unwritten, that I’d like to share in the future. For now, think about these six things and take them to heart. If the opportunity arises to take a trip, leap at it. You won’t regret it.