In high school and college, you are likely to receive some kind of encouragement to travel,
studying or working abroad It may seem like you have a lot to do, so don't seriously consider these
opportunities or maybe you rule them out as you plan to travel later in life.
I would encourage traveling at any age, but the sooner I can learn the lessons the trip teaches, the better.
When you are young you are still meeting and preparing for your school and career.
The skills and experience you get when traveling abroad can also give you personal benefits for a lifetime. As an advantage in the professional world.
In high school and college, you have the luxury of having flexibility, since you can
study anywhere in the world and have relatively long study breaks. It is the best time to take advantage of your freedom and youth.
As young people, most of us have a fairly established comfort zone. At home with mom and dad, in a community that has probably known you for a good part of your life. You have your friends, activities, meeting places and possibly established jobs. We feel comfortable in these daily roles and the idea of breaking them can be scary and uncomfortable.
The problem is that you learn more about uncomfortable and unknown situations. In our daily routines, you know how to act and respond to people and their environment. Being in a new place, with different people, who have different values and live life differently (or not as different as you can find) eliminates all that familiarity.
It can be scary, but once you discover that you can connect with people despite the differences, and you can navigate in foreign environments, you become a more intelligent and competent person. Embrace the discomfort. Look for it, because it is helping you grow
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