3 Reasons to Travel While Youre Young

The other night, I had a conversation with a young woman who had a number
of decisions ahead of her, one of which was whether she should go to grad
school or travel the world.
I told her to travel. Hands down. No excuses. Just go.
She sighed.

Travel While You're Young

Yeah, but

Never were more fatal words spoken:

Yeah, but what about debt?

Yeah, but what about my job?
Yeah, but what about my boyfriend (or dog or car or whatever)?

Yeah, but is pernicious. Because it makes it sound like we have the best of
intentions when really we are just too scared to do what we should. It allows
us to be cowards, while sounding noble.

Most people I know who waited to travel the world never did. Conversely,
plenty of people who waited for grad school or a steady job and traveled still
did those things eventually. Be careful of the yeah-but. The yeah-but
will kill your dreams.

I was so stirred by this conversation that I shared it with a group of 30 young

adults last night, many who were asking these very same questions.

The life youve always wanted

When you get older, life seems to just sort of happen to you. Your youth is a
time of total empowerment. You get to do what you want.

But as you mature and gain new responsibilities, you have to be very
intentional about making sure you dont lose sight of whats important.

So if you still have a reasonable amount of control over your circumstances,

you should do what really matters. Because life wont always be just about you.

During early adulthood, your worldview is still being formed. Its important to
steward this time to give yourself opportunities to grow. A good way to do
that is to travel.
So, young person, travel. Travel wide and far. Travel boldly. Travel with
full abandon.
You will regret few risks you take when it comes to this. I promise you that.
There are three reasons to travel while youre young:

1. Traveling teaches you to live an adventure

When you look back on your life, you will have moments of which you are
proud and maybe a few you regret. Its likely that the following wont be on the
latter list:

Bicycled across the Golden Gate Bridge.

Appeared on Italian TV.
Hiked a Mayan ruin.
Learned Spanish in three months.
Toured Europe by train.

Theyre not on mine (fun fact: Ive done all of the above). So what, then, will
be? What choices will you regret making? Holding back. Being afraid. Making
excuses. Not taking more risks. Waiting.

While youre young, you should travel. You should take the time to see the
world and taste the fullness of life. Its worth whatever investment or money or
sacrifice of time that may be required on your part.

This is not about being a tourist. Its about experiencing true risk and
adventure so you dont have to live in fear for the rest of your life.

2. Traveling helps you encounter compassion

In your youth, you will make choices that will define you. The disciplines you
begin now will be with you for the rest of your life.

Traveling will change you like little else can. It will put you in places that will
force you to care for issues that are bigger than you.

If you go to southeast Asia, you may encounter the slave trade. If eastern
Europe, you may see the effects of genocide and religious persecution. If Haiti,
youll witness the the ugly side Western paternalism.

Your heart will break.

You will begin to understand that the world is both a big and small place. You
will have a new-found respect for the pain and suffering that over half of the
world takes for granted on a daily basis.

And you will feel more connected to your fellow human beings in a deep and
lasting way. You will learn to care.

3. Traveling allows you to get some culture

While youre still young, you should get cultured. Get to know the world and the
magnificent people that fill it. Theres nothing quite like walking alongside the
Colosseum or seeing Michelangelos David in person.

I can describe the city of San Juan and its amazing beaches and historic sites to
you, but you really have to see it for yourself to experience it. You can read all
the books in the world about the Great Wall of China or The Louvre, but being
there is a different story.

The world is a stunning place, full of outstanding works of art. See it. Do this
while youre still young. Do not squander the time. You will never have
it again.

You have a crucial opportunity to invest in the next season of your life now.
Whatever you sow, you will eventually reap. Please. For your sake, do this.
Because you wont always be young. And life wont always be just
about you.

So travel. Experience the world for all its worth. Become a person of culture,
adventure, and compassion.
What if Im not young?

Travel, anyway. It may not be easy to do, but find a way to get out of your
comfort zone. Its really never too late.

But if you havent gotten sucked into the routine of life yet, I implore you
travel. It will never be easier than it is right now for you to do that which really
matters.