Speak to many people and they will tell you that the first 7 years of life are the most important, and while there is some truth to that, I would argue that the decade from 18 to 28 is equally as important.
Why?
Because It’s during these years, where you transition from boyhood to manhood, it’s during this decade where your adult identity is formed.
So in this article, I’m going to share 4 reasons why traveling in your 20s can be a valuable use of your time.
#1 Traveling Is the Best Form of Education
I can only speak for the UK, where I say this, but formal education is compulsory until the age of 16.
And up until that point, a person has very little life experience and a major reason for this is that much of their learning has took place in a classroom environment.
Here’s an analogy that I like to use:
You don’t learn how to ride a bike by reading about it—you learn to ride a bike, by actually riding a bike.
And this is where traveling comes in.
You see, when you leave the nest and start traveling to different countries, you’re essentially stepping out of your comfort zone.
Let’s be honest: if you’ve lived at home with your parents, they’ve likely done a lot for you.
But when you go traveling, you have to look after yourself.
For example, you need to find accommodation, cook your own food, learn how to budget your money, because If you don’t budget, you’ll run out of funds.
You may also need to find part-time work or even full time to work (temporarily) to avoid running out of money.
These experiences teach you how to live and survive in the real world, something a classroom cannot fully prepare you for.
Another benefit of traveling, from an educational perspective, is that it provides exposure to different cultures, especially if you visit countries outside the West.
You’ll also meet people from all walks of life.
From an educational standpoint, this is invaluable.
I would go so far as to say that no college or university can provide an education as rich as traveling.
#2 You Have Fewer Responsibilities in Your 20s
Look at it this way:
If you're married, mortgaged up and have children, you probably won't be able to travel.
Why?
Your life simply doesn't allow it.
However, if you're 18, 19, or 20, still living at home with Mom and Dad, now is the perfect time to go see the world.
Do it while you're young!
Get a job and save up as much money as you can.
Another benefit (worth mentioning) of traveling in your younger years, is that your friends are probably in the same boat.
They're likely not married, mortgaged up, or raising children.
And this leads perfectly to my next point and that is, you will create lasting memories and stories that will stay with you for a lifetime.
#3 You Create Memories and Stories
In this article, I mentioned how time and shared experiences can bring people closer together.
Well why not you and your friends travel the world together?
What a fantastic way to create unforgettable memories and stories that could bond you for a lifetime.
Plus, you’ll meet incredible people along the way.
Travelers tend to be open-minded, and you’ll cross paths with folks from all over the globe.
When I traveled to Australia and New Zealand, I met people from Ireland, France, the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Canada, the US, and beyond.
People I’d never have met back home.
Traveling changes you for the better.
#4 Gives You the Opportunity to Discover Who You Are
Every single person on this planet is a product of their environment, no question about it.
From a very early age, we are molded and pressured by society to conform.
So let’s explore this in more detail.
From early childhood, our parents urge us to go to school, study hard, get good grades, and secure a good job.
At school, teachers reinforce this message, emphasizing the importance of hard work and academic success.
As we enter the workforce, bosses guide or sometimes dictate our career paths.
At home, spouses/family members influence our decisions, subtly or overtly.
At work, colleagues pressure us to fit in and adhere to what’s considered "normal."
Turn on the television, we’re bombarded by advertisements dictating what’s normal or fashionable and what’s not.
So my point is this:
From a very early age, external influences surround us from all angles, shaping our thoughts, behaviors, and aspirations.
In many ways, you could say we’re programmed by our environment.
So one of the greatest benefits of traveling is that it allows you to step outside this environment. It allows you to escape the constant noise of societal expectations.
This distance can help you discover who you truly are, free from the pressures that have shaped you.
If you want to understand your authentic self, traveling to a new place and leaving behind the familiar can be one of the most powerful steps you can take.