It is easy to enjoy a great vacation without ever leaving your country’s borders. You can see a nearby city, visit relatives, explore the countryside, or visit a national park. However, international travel has its own perks, many of which can’t be matched by domestic trips. If you’re not sure whether you’ll get anything special out of an international trip, consider the following:
You may gain a new perspective on the world.
Sitting at home and relying on others to inform you about the rest of the world limits your ability to understand it. When all your knowledge about a place has been filtered by someone else’s mind, you’re at the mercy of that person’s ability to comprehend the information and their skill in communicating what they know. Seeing a country for yourself, on the other hand, allows you to develop your own impressions of what it’s like there and how it compares to where you live.
You’ll be able to try new things.
The world offers a staggering variety of activities, foods, and experiences. Domestic travel can let you see some of them, but you may be astonished at the variety available when you wander farther afield.
You may surprise yourself.
Some people avoid international travel because they fear it. If that describes you, taking a trip beyond your country’s borders gives you the opportunity to overcome your fears and try new things. In doing so, you may learn more about yourself and return home feeling confident and energetic.
You’ll meet new people.
Not all international trips leave you with an address book full of new, lifelong friends. However, some do, and even if you only make transient connections, you might meet people you’ll remember for the rest of your life.
You may be surprised by how far your money goes.
Traveling to an international destination is often expensive. However, once you arrive, you’ll find that in some places your money will go a lot farther than you’re used to. If you plan your trip well, you may be surprised by how inexpensive your stay can be.