We all have tough jobs; jobs that make us focus less on the whole and more on the self. We try to be peacemakers. We try to keep our communities safe. We try to bring up children that accept others (and themselves) for all of their strengths and weaknesses. Sometimes, we have to make snap decisions in high stress moments. We do our best.
And traveling can help us be even better. The idea that everyone should travel to a country vastly different than their own just once wont go away so long as individuals are regularly interacting with friends and strangers of different identity groups... ...which is to say, travel will always be relevant. Exposure to new cultures and ways of living and thinking breeds empathy.All capable individuals should travel internationally with the intention of gaining clarity on the intrinsic value of diversity of thought, company, and work, as well as improved soft skills, such as empathy and sensitivity. It might be naive to ask that travel become a part of the national education curriculum, but if recent events in the last two years (or more?) have taught us anything, something needs to change. Maybe travel is it, maybe it isn't, but the idea should definitely be entertained. We need to take responsibility for the change that needs to happen in the world. Its now your duty, for the betterment of the world as a whole, to leave your home country. WHAT WE MEAN BY TRAVELInteracting with the bellhop at a resort doesnt count as sensitivity training (but we still encourage you to be nice to your bellhop). Were glad you can take a load off and relax on the beach for your annual vacay. You can hang with your sig-O, spend some time with the kids, maybe get to that book youve been meaning to. And while vacations serve a purpose and are important, this isnt the type of traveling were getting at here. Were talking about meaningful travel. Were talking about getting into the thick of it, working on projects alongside other nationals, intentionally conversing about deep topics regularly with them, thinking critically about your place in the world in relation to theirs, exploring cultural exchange. We are NOT just talking about tourism; trust us, theres a difference. Its empowering to interact sincerely in foreign communities, not to mention great fodder for deep-rooted learning. READY TO BOOK A FLIGHT?If youre ever planning on interacting with people who look/think/feel differently than you, you should proactively seek to visit a foreign country, ideally one rather different than your own, for a week to live in community with foreigners (volunteering, learning the language, participating in community-wide discussions are all fair game). Why? Were glad you asked. Reflect more objectively on American culture1. Youll be exposed to other ways of living.Through the lens of observing how foreigners live their lives, defined by an entirely different and unique normal, travelers can begin to understand the differences that comprise a normal way of living in the United States. Between our neighborhoods and our newsfeeds, weve gotten pretty darn good at curating environments that reflect our values, preferences, standards of living, opinions, etc. (::cough:: self-segregation ::cough::). Weve designed our surroundings to mirror ourselves. How often do we go out of our way to walk to a different part of our own town with entirely different lifestyles and norms? While traveling thousands of miles for this realization may seem extreme, its possible that tuning into radical differences will make us more sensitive to the more nuanced ones in our own communities. Individuals should excel at quickly recognizing, appreciating, and evaluating situations based on these subtle differences. 2. Youll be able to reflect more objectively on American culture.Theres something about physical distance from our people, culture, and land that provides a clarity we just cant replicate when in the belly of the beast. Not only will traveling give you the chance reflect on whats right, wrong, or neither about their own country, it will also provide you with an excellent framework for identifying the things we take for granted. Like seedless grapes, for instance! Many individuals pride themselves strongly in their identity as an American; their patriotism runs deep in their bones. While admirable, its also perfectly healthy (and important) to recognize your countrys excellence as well as its shortcomings, especially when traveling abroad. Hearing how your country affects others lives, as in, YES, our countrys political decisions and policies can have REAL and DEEP and MEANINGFUL and PAINFUL every day impacts on the lives of citizens in countries whose names you cant even pronounce, is incredibly powerful. These conversations, and their ability to awaken you to new perspectives and realizations, are unmatched. 3. Youll get the chance to see other societies in action.The U.S. may not be perfect. We may be close or we may be far from it. But without seeing other communities doing their thang, living their lives, interacting with each other, making meals and dropping kids off at school, we are rarely afforded a base of reference for understanding the pros and cons of our life in the U.S. Do they wear shoes? Do they wear school uniforms? Do they grow the majority of their own food or shop at conglomerates and supermarkets like us? Is it safe? Are there guns? Are the teachers or cops well-respected? Do citizens fear them? And were just getting started. Having formalized time to observe, discuss, and think about foreign societies versus our own can lead to amazing personal insights and confidence in our cultural values. Watch other societies in action4. Youll develop more empathy for your neighbors.Pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, visiting a country that you fear a little bit, and figuring out how to succeed in a foreign language are NOT easy tasks. Travelers might even find themselves feeling a little vulnerable. They might have to rely on the kindness of strangers for help. They might need to tap into a pool of their resiliency they rarely visit. They might learn some new things about themselves, including their emotional responses to unusually stressful situations. All of these experiences will increase an individuals self awareness, allowing each to better relate, understand, and empathize with the individuals they interact with daily. Whether offering a comforting word, a pat on the back, a strong opinion, or an ill-placed physical reaction, being more mindful toward others will allow everyday citizens to excel at their jobs, and infuse them with compassion. 5. Youll gain multicultural know-how.Our country is diverse. From the dinner plate to the landscapes to skin tones. Its freaking awesome. But theres no one-size-fits-all approach to handling people of completely unique cultural identities and norms. Yes, purely American culture exists, and oftentimes pervades sub-identities (for instance, most of us believe equality is #thumbsupemoji), but that doesnt account for the historical and cultural baggage we all carry with us daily. Ill never forget when I asked my French and Mexican friends if theyd tried the Chinese pancake from the street carts in Beijing.You mean the crepe?!Oh yeah, that tortilla! Its a silly example, but it speaks to a much larger reality: the way we think, process, move through the world, and understand our place in it, is all heavily influenced by our cultural identities and norms. We all must take seriously the responsibility to equip ourselves with the ability to juggle and handle cultural nuances in their everyday interactions. The lens of traveling abroad and connecting profoundly with foreigners, even if just as fellow people who also wish to smile, be healthy, do good work, and be surrounded by loved ones, is a lasting lesson in recognizing shared humanity. Take a moment to reflect on your experiences and what youve learned from your travels; now apply that to your day to day life.As George W. Bush said in the Dallas Memorial on July 12, Argument turns too easily into animosity. Disagreement escalates too quickly into dehumanization. Too often we judge other groups by their worst examples, while judging ourselves by our best intentions.In fact, traveling once isnt necessarily enough; individuals should probably keep traveling on a regular basis to allow focused time for reflection and opportunities to keep their skills sharp. Seeing lives starkly different than their own, being guided through intentional reflection and crafting action plans, working alongside individuals who look/talk/act different, while still cultivating meaningful relationships, these are just a few of the benefits afforded to those who travel abroad. All of these lessons will translate to stronger relationships, greater respect between peacekeeper/ troublemaker, and a more compassionate approach to ensuring safety within our communities. We challenge citizens nationwide to consider traveling abroad for a week (or longer!) as a manifestation of their civic duty to their fellow citizens in the U.S. Find a program & start traveling ASAP!
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October 2018
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