Some people argue that the best knowledge you can get doesn’t come from school or books, it comes from traveling. For teens and young adults, going out into the world before they have to deal with all of life’s responsibilities can change how they see themselves, other people, and the world. Traveling when you’re young isn’t just about seeing new places or taking pictures for Instagram. It’s also about changing the way you think, getting real-world experience and establishing confidence that no degree or online course can give you.
Young travelers are taking advantage of the rise of remote jobs, digital nomad lifestyles and cultural exchange programs to do more at a younger age. The answer to your question about whether it’s worth it to travel when you’re young is simple: it’s one of the most important choices you can make in your life.
This article talks about the many ways that traveling when you’re young changes your future, makes you a better person and gives you skills that last a lifetime.
Why the Freedom of Youth is Important
When you’re young, you have fewer responsibilities, your body is stronger and your curiosity is at its best. You can take advantage of this golden window of independence by traveling in your twenties or even late teens. Young adventurers can be impulsive, flexible and brave, unlike older travelers who typically have to deal with family, work or money issues.
This freedom to explore without being held back all the time leads to:
- Traveling throughout Europe on a budget.
- Helping out in Asia or South America as a volunteer.
- Taking a road journey across the U.S. with just a map and some companions.
- Going to school in other countries, like Paris, Barcelona or Sydney.
- These encounters give you stories you’ll remember for the rest of your life and a sense of freedom that will shape your adult life.
Getting to Know Other Cultures Early
In today’s globalized society, it’s not a luxury to know about other cultures, it’s a need. Traveling when you’re young gives you a chance to see things from different points of view before your own becomes set in stone. You start to see how beautiful diversity is when you learn how to haggle in a Moroccan souk, eat street food in Bangkok or see how people live in rural Mexico.
This knowledge of other cultures will help you be more than just a courteous traveler. It has an effect on your profession, your relationships and even how you deal with issues. Employers today want people who can work with people from all over the world, and nothing shows that you can adapt like having to deal with other customs, languages and values firsthand.
Confidence That Comes with Going Alone
One of the main changes that young travelers go through is that they become much more confident. You learn how capable you are when you’re in a foreign nation and have to figure out train schedules, learn important phrases in a new language or make acquaintances from diverse backgrounds.
These teachings make you feel you can get through tough times and that belief will help you in all areas of your life, from work to relationships.
The Friendships That Last Forever
When you’re young and traveling, you often have to travel with people you don’t know or meet them along the route. These bonds, which are based on shared experiences and problems, can be some of the strongest you ever have.
Consider the friendship that grew when hiking Machu Picchu together, staying in hostels in Berlin, or going out at night in Tokyo. These people aren’t just acquaintances, they know something about your adventure that your buddies back home may never fully understand.
A lot of the time, these travel buddies become your global network and you can visit them years later in different parts of the world.
Finding Passions You Didn’t Know You Had
A lot of young travelers come home with new interests, hobbies or even career options they had never thought of before. While chasing sunsets in Santorini, you might fall in love with photography. After spending time in Bali, you might get interested in living sustainably. After traveling through South America, you might find yourself drawn to languages.
By trying out alternative ways of life and chances early on, you give yourself the chance to find out what really fascinates you instead of just following the road that others have set for you. Traveling when you’re young opens up new possibilities and helps you figure out who you want to be.
Only travel can teach you about money
Many people think that you need a lot of money to travel while you’re young, but that’s not necessarily true. A lot of people who travel learn how to budget, save and be responsible with their money because they want to see new places. Living on $40 a day in Southeast Asia or arranging a month-long trip to Europe on a tight budget will teach you how to manage your money for the rest of your life.
You’ll rapidly learn to put experiences ahead of things and tell the difference between what you want and what you really need. That one lesson can save you years of avoidable debt and anguish over money.
Travel is the Best School
There is more to education than just going to class and reading books. The best place to learn is while you’re young and traveling. Every city teaches you something about history, every market teaches you something about economics and every discussion with a native teaches you something about sociology.
There is no online movie that can give you the same level of comprehension as walking through the ruins of Rome, standing in front of the Berlin Wall or exploring temples in Kyoto. This kind of learning through experience sticks with you for life and affects how you think about knowledge and wisdom as an adult.
Traveling when you’re young is good for your mental health
Travel has been proven to lower stress, make people happier and make them more creative. Traveling is like hitting the reset button for young people who are often stressed out about school, comparing themselves to others or not knowing what the future holds.
When you go to a new place, you have to live in the moment, enjoy little things and get away from all the digital noise. Traveling helps you think clearly and feel better emotionally. You can accomplish this by meditating on a beach in Bali, hiking in Colorado or looking at the colorful art in Mexico City.
Getting Better at Things That Employers Value
In today’s job market, companies want more than just academic qualifications from applicants. Traveling as a young person gives you useful soft skills like:
- Talking to people from other cultures.
- Being able to change with the times.
- Group travel teaches you how to lead and collaborate with others.
- Being in new places can make you more creative.
- These talents typically make you stand out in job interviews and other employment chances, showing that your experiences go beyond what’s on your resume.
The Spirit of Adventure, Risk and Resilience
When you’re young, you’re more likely to take risks and traveling makes you even more daring. Experiences like bungee jumping in New Zealand and scuba diving in the Philippines, push you to your boundaries and teach you how to be strong.
You learn to adjust, be calm and keep going even when things don’t go as planned, like when a storm cancels your flight or you get lost in a city at night. This strength will be one of your best assets for the rest of your life.
Coming back home as a different person
If you ask anyone who has traveled while they were young, they’ll tell you they came back a changed person. You not only bring back memories that will last a lifetime, but you also come back with a wider vision of the world, better skills and a deeper appreciation for both new and old things.
The individual who departed might not have known what to do, been too shy or not have had much experience. The person that comes back is sure of themselves, worldly, and ready to experience life to the fullest.
Traveling while you’re young impacts your life forever since it changes who you are, makes you more confident and opens up new opportunities. It’s not about checking places off a list, it’s about letting each trip change you.
If you’re waiting for the right time, remember that there will never be a right time. Things just get busier, more obligations pile up and comfort zones get harder. The sooner you open up to the world, the more it will provide you for years to come.
So get your backpack ready, save what you can, book your flight and let travel be the teacher, guide and friend that changes you for the rest of your life.