How Travel makes us Smarter, Wiser and All-Around More Awesome
Posted on 25. May, 2010 by Steph in Philosophy
I like to travel for a lot of reasons; it can be really fun, it makes me feel more alive and I love meeting new people and exploring new places. There’s also another, deeper motivation I feel to propel myself around the world: I feel like it makes me better. The constant flow of new experiences and challenges shapes me. It forces me to learn not just about the world around me, but also about myself.
In a recent article for The Guardian, Jonan Lehrer explains how travel actually can make people smarter. Not because former backpackers can bore guests at cocktail parties with their impressive knowledge of the Inca Trail, but because studies have shown that traveling gives individuals a sense of perspective that actually makes them better problem solvers.
Creative Commons License photo credit: Martino!
In the article Lehrer describes a series of experiments, where participants had to solve hypothetical problems based both locally and in a far away place. Participants consistently came up with more creative and inclusive solutions for the far away problems. This suggests that physical distance provides a kind of emotional barrier, which leads to more logical perspective:
Such cultural contrasts mean that seasoned travelers are alive to ambiguity, more willing to realize that there are different (and equally valid) ways of interpreting the world. This in turn allows them to expand the circumference of their “cognitive inputs”, as they refuse to settle for their first answers and initial guesses. After all, maybe they carry candles in drawing-pin boxes in China. Maybe there’s a better way to attach a candle to a wall.
On a more introspective level, moving yourself physically helps you to look at your own life and problems from a new angle. The issues in your life just LOOK different when you are pondering them in a new city or on a foreign beach. People need perspective before they can truly see themselves.
Lehrer continues:
So let’s not pretend that travel is always fun. We don’t spend 10 hours lost in the Louvre because we like it, and the view from the top of Machu Picchu probably doesn’t make up for the hassle of lost luggage. (More often than not, I need a holiday after my holiday.) We travel because we need to, because distance and difference are the secret tonic of creativity. When we get home, home is still the same. But something in our mind has been changed, and that changes everything.
Now, this is not a high and mighty blog post about how people who travel are better than people who don’t. There are many paths to self-discovery of course. Travel is certainly not the cheapest or even the easiest one. But it IS stimulating. I’m sure everyone has experienced that sensation of coming home feeling like a different person, even though nothing physically has changed. It’s an odd feeling, but an energizing one.
Creative Commons License photo credit: geoftheref
For serious travelers travel is not an escape from the world. Intellectually, I know that travel is not going to solve all my problems. The things that are wrong with your life are going to be right there waiting for you no matter where your passport takes you. But the way we deal with these problems is dependent on our outlook and perspective on the world. This reprioritization, this way of looking at things outside the box of my regular life forces me to grow and change. And that’s what I can’t get enough of.
Over the next couple weeks I’m going to be recounting some of the major lessons I’ve learned while traveling. What are some ways that you’ve learned and changed through travel?
46 Responses to “How Travel makes us Smarter, Wiser and All-Around More Awesome”
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Anthony Feint
25. May, 2010
I agree, travel does make me a better person too – it forces me to challenge myself, solve problems and step outside my comfort zone. But above all, I travel because when I’m not, I’m wishing I was.
.-= Anthony Feint´s last blog ..Another Day in the Cloud =-.
Steph
25. May, 2010
As someone who REALLY wishes she were traveling right now- I agree!
ehalvey
25. May, 2010
Ireland showed me how to relax and not have a million things going on. Everyone is very go-with-the-flow, few people go into the office on the weekend, and they just seem to really enjoy life as it comes along. People aren’t worrying about the next step, like how many 20 somthings in America are pressured to have the next 20 years mapped out.
Rome did that as well, but more in the enjoying your meal front. No hoovering your lunch in 5 seconds to get back to work. I think a whole hour of enjoying the outdoors with a glass of wine for lunch would do wonders for workaholics. Your office will still be there, no client is going to die if you don’t answer the phone.
Steph
25. May, 2010
A lot of Europe is a lesson in patience. Things just move slower there, you learn to slow down and enjoy life.
Adam
25. May, 2010
I read that article too and have to agree. Well said!
.-= Adam´s last blog ..Soporific Sevilla: My Thoughts =-.
Steph
25. May, 2010
Thanks Adam!
Lauren
25. May, 2010
So so true. Couldn’t have said it better! Also agree with you about how the pace of different cultures can really open your eyes. Great post Steph, keep ‘em coming!
.-= Lauren´s last blog ..That’s Amore! =-.
Steph
26. May, 2010
Thanks Lauren! It really is eye opening to see how other cultures look at the world.
Paul
25. May, 2010
I find that when going solo, you end up learning more about yourself than the world. Travel puts you outside of your comfort zone and that’s when you really grow as a person.
The world is a big place and it’s a shame to see so many people who never experience it.
.-= Paul´s last blog ..5 Things to Bring on a Backpacking Trip =-.
Steph
26. May, 2010
Next week’s post on this theme is going to touch on solo travel which is definitely enriching.
Sabina
25. May, 2010
I think this is a great post. I do feel that I’m more mellow about things that seem to freak some other people out. This was not always the case. Perhaps surviving the challenges of traveling have a little something to do with it.
Steph
26. May, 2010
Travel has definitely made me better equipped to handle stressful situations.
Joya
25. May, 2010
I completely agree with travel giving us perspective. I was so caught up in my senior year of college and influences there that were bad for me that I didn’t realize what was going on until I left to go travel. I saw things from a different angle and remembered my priorities. Great post!
.-= Joya´s last blog ..Download a Free e-Book and Give Someone Clean Drinking Water =-.
Steph
26. May, 2010
I had a similar experience studying abroad my senior year of college. Totally rearranged my perspective on things.
Matt
26. May, 2010
Excellent write-up Steph. Reminds me of a quote re: travel I love so much …
“In a sense, it’s the coming back, the return, which gives meaning to the going forth.
We really don’t know where we’ve been until we’ve come back to where we were.
Only, where we were may not be as it was because of who we’ve become, which, after all, is why we left.
.-= Matt´s last blog ..Dealing With the End of Your Travels =-.
Steph
26. May, 2010
Beautiful quote. Really sums up my feelings on the travel experience.
Gray
26. May, 2010
The most obvious answer for me is how it’s brought me out of my shell. I used to be uber-introverted, and now I’d say I’m much more moderately introverted and can even be extroverted when I need to be. I learned that when I had to start reaching out to people during travel.
.-= Gray´s last blog ..You Should Know: Journeywoman =-.
Steph
26. May, 2010
I had a similar experience. Travel really pushes me to be more social, to the point where people are always surprised now when I tell them I’m secretly an introvert!
Abby
26. May, 2010
Loved this! So glad you found that article and ran with it. It’s really true that perspective changes everything, whether it’s travel, going through something emotional, losing one’s job, getting married, anything. LOVED the travel angle! It’s so true. Problem solving and calm under pressure are huge lessons learned while traveling!
.-= Abby´s last blog ..The dark side of being a single expat =-.
Steph
26. May, 2010
Thanks Abby! I hope you like the follow up articles
Caz Makepeace
26. May, 2010
Travel has given me so much joy and has impacted who I am as a person tremendously. Scared, insecure, weak, shy, and judgemental were just some of the character traits that travel helped to transform into something so much better. Over 10 years of a life of travel…. a beautiful life. Who could ever complain or be anything other than extremely grateful.
.-= Caz Makepeace´s last blog ..Daily Travel Photo: PasPaley Pearl Farm Kuri Bay, Broome, Western Australia =-.
Steph
26. May, 2010
that is a great attitude!
Laura
26. May, 2010
I definitely agree that travel makes us smarter. I used to be the most indecisive person, but travel doesn’t exactly allow for that. I’m better at thinking on my feet and I’ve learned to appreciate a history lesson much more when one comes along!
Steph
26. May, 2010
travel definitely sharpens your instincts, a lot of sink or swim involved.
Alexis
26. May, 2010
Totally agree! Traveling (but mostly living in that country for awhile) allows you to see things from different perspectives and opens your mind up to different ideas. It also opens yourself up to accept people who are different. I love traveling and hope to always have the resources to!
Steph
26. May, 2010
Living in another country is so very eye opening!
Candice
26. May, 2010
So true! How can your mind not expand when you’re on the road?!
.-= Candice´s last blog ..The Front Step Poop Story =-.
Guy McLaren
27. May, 2010
Travel a possible cure for stupidity? I am sure that a few skills can be learned but as to whether it actually makes any one smarter, I am not convinced. Not even universtities can make the stupid smarter, just better educated.
.-= Guy McLaren´s last blog ..Mpumalanga’s Hidden Gems =-.
Steph
27. May, 2010
The value of both a good university education and travel is that it teaches you to be a better thinker not so much that it boosts your IQ. If you can examine and solve problems in new ways and express your ideas more clearly then I would say yeah, you just got smarter.
Nancie (Ladyexpat)
31. May, 2010
I’ve included your article in “My Favorite Stumbles for the Week May 23 -30th.
http://budgettravelerssandbox.com/2010/05/favorite-stumbles-for-the-week-may-23-30th-2010/#axzz0pYDFREPf
.-= Nancie (Ladyexpat)´s last blog .. =-.
Steph
31. May, 2010
Thanks Nancie!
Dave
04. Jun, 2010
I think perhaps that some people are misunderstanding the point you are trying to make. Of course just because you travel doesn’t automatically make you far more intelligent in other academic areas but I believe that it does make you a more rounded individual.
For me personally it has made me more aware and tolerant of differing sets of values and beliefs from around the world. Our environment shapes us and it can only be good to experience several environments and draw good points from each of them.
.-= Dave´s last blog ..10 Essential Overseas Travel Tips =-.
Steph
04. Jun, 2010
Thanks Dave I think you see what I’m getting at. Travel is not going to teach you your periodic table, but it MIGHT make you a better scientist by changing the way you look at challenges.
Andreas
05. Jun, 2010
Hey I really love your blog, and I loved your post, I found you at the Twobackpackers site, World is just amazing, traveling keeps me alive, knowing cultures, tasting ,seeing , new things ….
Steph
05. Jun, 2010
Thank you!
Farnoosh
15. Jun, 2010
Steph, great post, wonderful introspection with no fluff and a dose of reality. With your permission, I am linking to it on my new travel post (about to be published) on one day in Amsterdam! Thank you!!!
Stephanie
15. Jun, 2010
Thank you- link away!
Rachel
18. Feb, 2011
Great piece! I 100% agree. Only wish I could do more traveling myself. I’d love to link to your post as well on my trekalong blog http://bit.ly/fLPvYi
Simon Jones
29. Mar, 2011
Do you think the same principle applies if you compare people who have emigrated compared to people who have stayed in the same area all their lives?
Steph
31. Mar, 2011
I’d have to guess that having to start over in a new country would definitely give you a lot of skills and strengths you might not otherwise have.
Patricia Ruth Lewis
18. Oct, 2011
Being a Nergo women that grew up in the US i was all ways made to feel less Than! The history of slavery has it mark on me in the US when i left the US that mark left ME! suddenly when i arrived in Turkey, and Paris, and Rome, ect. i was told how beautiful i was over and over again, that’s because the standard of beauty in the US is blond hair and blue eyes in Europe the standard of beauty is entirely different the feeling of oppression was totallly VOID. I love traveling to Europe every time i go i feel FREE. My dream is to live in Paris.
Sam Zubalik
15. Feb, 2012
This is fantastic! I will be traveling for the first time this Spring/ Summer. I will finishing up a Russian Language and Culture in Russia (obviously) for 2 and a half weeks then backpacking with my best friend in Prague, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, and Portugal. It’s weird to think that how I perceive the world now is going to be totally different by the end of the summer – but i’m wicked pumped about it!
Steph
16. Feb, 2012
Awesome- enjoy it!