Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
If there is one hobby that people of all ages share, it's a desire for travel. Research like this study by the University of Massachusetts Amherst shows myriad benefits from travel including improved family relationships and better mental health.
"Travel is a time that is sort of set aside from our everyday lives," explains sociologist and author Karen Stein in an article for the Washington Post. "It can create flexibility, both mental flexibility and flexibility of social structures, that allows us to see things in a different way, have different experiences or do things a little bit differently," she is quoted as saying.
Despite the challenges COVID-19 creates, a survey from MMGY Travel Intelligence found that most people plan to travel this year. An article from Travel Pulse reports the survey showed each age group polled, from millennials to Gen Z, anticipate at least three trips in 2022.
Travel experts at Travel for Youth also report an increased interest in travel for 2022. They emphasize the positive impact travel has on people and say they believe experiences young people encounter while visiting other parts of the world uncover talents and abilities that add clarity to their lives and will carry them through their life journey.
Here are four of the most transformative skills Travel for Youth experts say they consistently encounter in young people who travel.
One person can make an impact
Travelers don't forget the people who stepped in when they needed help. Whether it was showing directions, sharing food, money, or a safe place to rest for a bit, the kindness of just one person in a new town is unforgettable.
The power humans possess to inspire others with hope, comfort, kindness, courage, and even laughter can change the trajectory of another's life. So, when good things happen, young people learn to pay it forward.
Cooperation and compromise are lifelong skills
Facing a limited time in one area means most travelers follow a tight schedule when traveling. There are plenty of activities to experience. When a group can share ideas that help finalize plans and collaborate on scheduling activities, they don't waste valuable time on disagreements. When people cooperate, they work more efficiently and accomplish much more with their time.
Knowing how to communicate ideas with a willingness to compromise based on the desires of others opens up opportunities for enriching experiences and relationships.
Learn how to handle details
Few things in life require more patience, preparation, and attention to detail than planning a trip abroad. The ability to organize and manage required documentation, transportation, lodging, and itineraries offers valuable lessons in time management, budgeting, interpersonal communication, and cooperation.
Young people quickly learn that preparing for an incredible experience abroad doesn't happen by accident. They learn that the skills needed to ensure travel plans go smoothly carry over into achieving personal goals. Success is found in the details, and much like planning a trip abroad, you must prepare and effectively manage them to get the desired outcome.
In ways that count, people everywhere are similar
Part of the appeal of international travel is discovering the beauty of other lands while learning about different cultures and people. It's rewarding to find that amid the contrast of cultures, people generally want the same things from life: we want to be happy, loved, and feel safe and secure. Although people's approach to pursuing those things is often different between cultures, the similarities create lasting emotional connections.
Travel For Youth focuses on sharing global experiences. "Instead of a one-time service project, we bring you up close to social causes that need your attention and inspire a lifetime of involvement in humanitarian work and social impact," explains the company website. "Human trafficking, refugees and civil war, dirty drinking water, lack of education for girls, a dying ocean, extreme poverty — these are all causes that keep us up at night. Alone we cannot solve them, but with you and 10,000-plus other committed youths engaging in a cause and making a difference, big changes will happen!"
For more information on upcoming events and travel destinations, click here.
