'Finding Yourself Abroad'?

'I really found myself on my travels'. It's probably something you've heard countless time from countless travellers. And each time you roll your eyes at the absurdity. What does that even mean? And how could sitting on a boat in Thailand or hiking in Vietnam give you all the answers? None of us have all the answers anyway. Whilst this phrase does seem to be a bit of a myth and perhaps something simply say to advertise how influential and inspirational their trip was, there is something about going abroad that makes it such a learning experience. 

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Like the fact that you learn the most in your youngest years due to an excess of stimuli, the surplus of new things to see and do when you're in a new place means you're bound to discover new perspectives. Like the baby that is drawn to everything as it understands the world, when we're completely out of our comfort zone in a foreign environment, everything seems intriguing. And there are so many things to learn from. Particularly if you go somewhere with a culture so different from your own. New foods, traditions and lifestyle all impact your current understandings and viewpoints. Even if they aren't things you adopt, experiencing a lifestyle completely different from your own is almost like zooming out on a pixelated close image. We go about our everyday not really questioning the things that we consider to be normal. It's only when  presented with different norms that we may get the opportunity to assess our own. It serves as a reminder of the variety of people and ways of living there are which just gives a wider perspective. And often you do end up adopting some new things for yourself. From something as simple as finding a new food love to take back with you to a new hobby or even a new way of seeing things. Opening yourself up to what places not close to home have to offer does broaden your horizons. While 'finding yourself' is a bold and profound statement, there's definitely a lot to learn from observing the lives and cultures of others.  

      

There's also the fact that by widening your horizons and venturing out you're opening yourself up to meeting new people. Each person we meet has something to show us. Because each person has had unique experiences in their life. Therefore, the more people you expose yourself to, the more you are guaranteed to pick up. This is only emphasised when those people are from different walks of life. On your travels, you usually would make a point of speaking to people and learning about how their experiences are different to your own. This is why people may feel that they learn a lot when travelling. Much of our personal development comes from learning from others. 

   

Looking more at the person closest in, going abroad is a learning experience because it's a challenge. Even if you set off with other people, you're definitely required to be very independent to be able to arrange travelling in another place and to sort yourself out somewhere out of your comfort zone. Issues are bound to arise meaning you need to be resilient too. It's these experiences that make travelling an experience. It's often more not the travels themselves than the challenges you face along the way that are the often the greatest opportunity to develop. It's important to go through these different and sometimes difficult experiences in life in order to create the knowledge of how to deal with them and therefore become a stronger person. Becoming partially isolated from home comforts and people is the best way to do this. 

Therefore, while it isn't likely that you'll come back with all the answers... something rarely ever achieved, there's no denying that travelling can teach you a lot and build character. We are constantly changing so can never truly know ourselves but travelling often becomes part of the process of shaping yourself into someone you want to be. So get out there and see what of the world you can!

By Josie Hart