5 Ways Travel Can Transform Your Life

In 2021, I found myself somewhere over Afghanistan, reclining in my first-class Delta One cabin, holding a glass of champagne and wondering if I’d truly lost my mind. I had recently gone through a divorce, quit my job, moved to a new state, and was now flying alone to meet five colleagues I’d never met in person. The word “Afghanistan” on the flight tracker screen felt surreal. Like most Americans, I was born and raised with a strong sense of danger about unfamiliar places — and the Middle East tops that list. I was en route to Doha and then to Dubai, venturing further than I ever had on my own.

Growth Lies Beyond Comfort

Humans naturally crave comfort and routine, but true growth happens outside our comfort zones. When we stay within our self-created echo chambers, we miss opportunities for change and inspiration. Travel presses your nose right up to the glass of your biases, encouraging you to open in more ways than you thought possible. While that can be exhausting at times (trust me, I know), it can impact everything from your relationships and work life to your understanding of success and money.

Reason 1: Discover Your Bias

Like many, I believed I was open-minded and accepting. However, faced with a bathroom with a hole in the ground and questionable water on the floor, my biases surfaced quickly. Traveling to a country with entirely different customs can be a humbling experience. Navigating through a city where you don’t understand the language or trying to make sense of unfamiliar social norms forces you to confront your preconceptions, ultimately broadening your horizons.

Key Lessons Learned:

• As a woman, I struggle with the notion of head-covering — but it can be practical (especially if you’re hot and sweaty) and helps avoid unwanted attention.

• Squatting to use the restroom can be more hygienic than dirty toilet seats.

• Extended families often live together, forming tightly-knit communities — there is a loss of independence, but a gain in closeness.

• Despite America’s focus on political correctness (while harboring quite a bit of racism), the proximity of other countries to one another abroad means people are more direct and open which facilitates conversations about politics, war and race.

• Surprisingly, gas station food in Turkiye can be exceptional!

Reason 2: Relationships — It’s a Small World After All

Travel profoundly impacts relationships. I’ve had life-changing trips backpacking through the Andes and made lifelong friends in distant lands. Living in Plomari has planted me right in the middle of a rich, vibrant community full of friends. Sharing online about my travels has connected me with incredible people who live in these places or who cherish them and follow along for recent photographs!

While traveling highlights differences, it also reveals striking similarities. No matter what country I am in, teenagers act the same — they roll their eyes at their parents and try to sneak in cigarettes and hand-holding. Little kids clamor for attention, eager to show off new toys, art projects, and pockets full of rocks. Old men love to talk about the good old days, laughing in recollection of when they were the heroes of their own tales. Women in all countries, in all towns, and in every village know what’s really going on. They’re keeping track of who went where, what needs to be done, and if it’s going to rain later that night. We love, we cry, we laugh, we tell stories, we share, we hold hands, we are afraid, we judge, we envy, we care. The feeling of the world becoming small teaches that if we choose to focus on the differences, that is what we see. If we decide to look for similarities, we can find community and connection everywhere we go. Despite all the divisive news, we all want to be safe, loved, and heard.

Reason 3: Learn — Expand Your Horizons

Traveling can enhance your professional life by providing new skills and perspectives. Working remotely from different parts of the world can teach you how to manage your time effectively, adapt to new (and archaic) technologies, and communicate across cultural boundaries. These skills are not only valuable in your current job but can also make you more competitive in the job market. Handling business remotely has made managing ‘normal’ business situations a breeze.

Exposure to how other cultures do business and value ‘work’ can be a huge asset. Seeing where other cultures rank ‘work’ versus play, relaxation, vacation, health, family and more has been eye-opening. Where I live now many transactions are based on a literal handshake. Renting a commercial property includes the standard applications plus a list of who you know in the village. The cellphone company requires that you provide your fathers name and village to get a phone line or internet. Understanding that business is not just business, but personal, in some cultures can be key to working globally!

Reason 4: Reevaluate — Success, Money, Family, Time

Different cultures have varying perspectives on success and money. Traveling helps reevaluate these concepts. In many Western cultures, success equates to wealth and material possessions. However, in other parts of the world, success might be defined by personal fulfillment, family connections, or community contributions.

Americans rush everywhere, being busy is seen as cool, relaxing is seen as ‘killing time’ and working 70 hours a week is a flex. Here in Plomari, rushing is seen as almost rude. The way of life is more “siga, siga” (slowly, slowly) than the American “work hard, play hard” mentality. And trust me, they play hard here! Success in many places is when you have the time to enjoy your life while you are living your life. Not to hoard as many cars, shoes, houses and junk as you can manage and then have to pay for more garages and places to store it all. These experiences can lead to a more balanced and holistic understanding of success and money, encouraging you to prioritize what truly matters in your life. You may find yourself focusing more on personal growth, experiences, and relationships rather than solely on financial gain.

Reason 5: Resilience and Growth

Travel often puts you in uncomfortable situations, promoting personal growth and self-discovery. Navigating unfamiliar environments and facing unexpected challenges reveal your strengths, weaknesses, and resilience. Being willing to get outside on your own two feet (or by car, or moped if you dare) and find a grocery store, get a haircut, make friends and ask for help makes a massive impact on your daily life. It also teaches some valuable lessons — a woman here is always very reserved at the market and I thought she was avoiding me because I’m some annoying American expatriate. One day she smiled shyly and said, “I’m sorry my English is really bad.” I laughed and said that my Greek is worse! Exposure often teaches you that other people are willing to help and are curious about you too.

Traveling alone can be an incredibly empowering experience. It forces you to rely on yourself, make decisions independently, and cope with solitude. This can boost your confidence and help you develop a stronger sense of self. I cannot recommend bouts of solo travel enough! While we were in Belgium, I took two short trips to Amsterdam and Paris and was reminded of how fun and exhilarating it can be to figure it all out solo! I traveled via train navigating Ghent, Brugges and Paris Nord stations without missing a single train (and boy, do they leave right on time in Belgium)!

Conclusion

If you are seeking change and aren’t sure where to start or where to go — changing your physical location via travel can be helpful. By exposing yourself to different cultures, forming new relationships, learning new skills, reevaluating success and money, and fostering personal growth, you open yourself to a world of possibilities. Embrace the adventure and let travel transform your life, gaining invaluable experiences and insights that will stay with you long after you return home.

Small Steps for Big Change

Can’t afford big trips? Start small! Visit a local Chinatown or cultural center. Ask a friend if you can join in their celebration (religious, heritage, etc…) Try new sports like rafting or rock climbing. Any step outside your comfort zone brings lessons and growth, and after all — isn’t that what we’re here for? Have fun!