Are You Thinking About Traveling Abroad? Do it!

“Travel is not reward for working, it’s education for living.” Anthony Bourdain

Do you have the travel bug, right now? Maybe you just want to explore the world more? Perhaps you want a fresh, new start? Or maybe you want to meet new people and try new things. Whatever your reason, you’ve come across this post right now because you are thinking about living abroad. And my response to that internal question is- do it!

Get up, pack your bags, and check in for your flight because it’s time to hit the skies. You may have a yearning for places you haven’t been, a need for adventure to fill, or a hope for a better future. In any case, the wheels started turning, considering what it would be like to live abroad, and the thing is you won’t know until you try.

There may be plenty of reasons to stay where you are, but you only need one to venture on what may be the best start of your life. It’s highly doubtful that if you were to live abroad you would regret it, but you certainly would regret not taking the dive. If you are thinking about living abroad here are some reasons you should just go ahead and do it.

Do it for your glow up.

Travel can certainly change you for the better, including helping with that glow-up. There’s something about a traveled individual. There’s a different air, a different look, and a different aura. One cannot be the same after traveling. When taking advantage of all that travel can offer you can become a better and elevated person.

Do it to rediscover who you are.

It is true you can get lost while traveling, but it is also just as easy to find yourself. This would be for extended travel such as working abroad or even living a nomadic lifestyle. Both separate you from the home of your early years that shaped you. So, you find yourself asking the question, “Who am I away from what I know?” Among other questions.

As you wander the world on your own, you see yourself in your isolation: your potential, what you value, and your passion. Who are you in a place where no one knows you?

Do it to become a global citizen. You’ll be a better person for it.

Being in one place for a long time can make you forget about the rest of the world; but, the world is big, yet becoming smaller every day through technology. This means there’s an increased need for cultural understanding and global cognizance. It is only through this that cultures can be appreciated, people understood, and society propelled into excellence.

Do it to learn.

There are more ways to learn than through books and instruction. That is why some of the greatest scholars traveled. There are some things that you can only learn by living it. Sure, you can read about religious ceremonies and look at photos of world wonders, but there’s a difference between experiencing it and being in its presence.

Do it to become financially stable.

Depending on where your home country is, it fiscally better to work abroad. This is one of the number reasons most expatriates pack up and start their life over in a new place. For example, while working as a teacher is a noble profession, in the United States, the salary does not meet the cost of living; whereas, in places like China and Thailand, working as a teacher gives you greater financial freedom as the cost of living is lower the salary, making the quality of life better. There are many work abroad opportunities, and life as an expatriate can see you reap financial increase.

Do it to find the love of your life.

This may not be something you think about when buying that plane ticket, but your soulmate may just be on another continent and the only way to meet them is by living abroad. Maybe you dream of a happy accidental meeting like a hallmark movie or you purposefully attend tours and workshops dedicated to furthering your love life. Either way, love is out there for you to find.

And if you don’t find love, you’ll find new friends.

When you travel, you have the opportunity to make new friends in different places. Whether it’s through work or play, your social circle is bound to expand. You’ll have shared experiences that you all can relate to and a cheerleading squad to keep pushing you with your travels. Learn the ways of locals, old tales from elders, and have a future vacation home.

Do it to challenge yourself.

Traveling will push you outside of your comfort zone and once you’re outside your comfort zone you will face challenges. But, they are challenges you can and will overcome. The world challenge gets a bad rap. Challenges are sometimes negative, but they can also be positive. No growth can come without challenges.

Do it to renew your sense of wonder.

Being an adult can give the worst case of the mundane. Travel can give you back the sense of wonder you had when you were younger, before the drudgery of adulthood. Be reinvigorated through adventure or amazed seeing new sights.

Do it for memories.

Materials are great, but it’s better to have stories to share. They won’t leave you, nor can be taken from you. You can carry your travel memories with you wherever you go.

Of course, an all-time favorite of mine remains: travel for the escape. While there are noble, elevated, and reasons to travel, sometimes you can just take off without a purpose. Get away from it all, until you realize what you want to do. Maybe it is just wandering. Perhaps it’s something more.

You won’t know until you go.