The Importance of Experience: How Travelling is my Greatest Teacher

For the last five years, I have spent almost every possible moment travelling – anywhere was my goal. I was bitten by the travel bug, and I couldn’t stop itching. My journey took me to teach English in China, study permaculture in Thailand, join the circus in Peru, practice yoga in India, and so much more. I lived in four countries and visited thirteen. In these five years, I also managed to complete a bachelor’s degree and get started on a master’s.

Location: Teotiahuacan, Mexico “Where Men Become Gods”

I can whole heartedly testify that I have learned more about the world and myself in the twenty months of my life abroad than I have in all seventeen years in a formal classroom.

I’m not diminishing education – I think that school is fabulous. But travel is better, that is, if its travel by choice, for the sake of wanderlust, knowledge, and personal growth.

Location: Tangshan, China – Halloween Party with my students (it’s not a Chinese Tradition)

Travel is one of the fastest routes to personal growth, one of the highest forms of education. I go to places my wildest dreams could never image, and then I adapt. At first, I only saw the differences - "wow, this culture is so very contrasting to mine!" But I kept traveling long and steadfast, and eventually noticed that we are all the same. Humans love to eat, love, play, and pray. Lines drawn on a map faded into metaphor as I started to identify with humanity as my culture, compassion my politics, and love my religion.

Location: Piura, Peru – training for the circus

Tell me in the comments: how has travel changed you? Or maybe you haven’t managed to travel yet – where would you like to go, and what would you like to learn there?

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If you want to see more crazy acrobatics, check out this epic balancing video where I defy gravity and challenge the status quo with poetry!!!