Wanderlust should fuel worldviews

Wanderlust is a vocabulary word that everyone should know and try to incorporate in their life. The definition of wanderlust is the desire to travel, and it is a desire that everybody should fulfill even just by traveling to a new state.

Traveling isn’t something that is easily accessible in our current environment, but it should eventually be prioritized in people’s mind. Even traveling to a different state, it can bring new experiences and improved happiness.

I’ve heard many jokes from people that now is the cheapest time to travel because of COVID-19, and that you should book flights now while nobody else is traveling. Even in times when it isn’t cheap, traveling would still be worth the cost.

With my interest in history, I’ve always been travel focused and always wanted to experience different locations. With my ever-constant interest, I’ve always came up with positives of traveling to combat the negatives that many people come up with, like the long flight that starts and ends in a trip across an ocean.

Exposure to different cultures is the biggest reason why people should take the time to travel. When experiencing different cultures, you are able to expand your worldview and you have a better understanding of the different lives people live through. Food is one of the fastest ways to experience different cultures. 

When it comes to other countries, many have lasted longer than the United States. Especially traveling to places in Europe and Asia, you are able to see the changes of history through different structures they have in those countries. Like old castles in Liechtenstein or Ireland, you are able to physically see the way history shaped a country.

Traveling also allows for the opportunity to make friends around the world, which also works in hand with experiencing a different culture. With friends from other countries, it would be easier to stay caught up with news from different countries, like politics and current events.

A big concern for many people when it comes to traveling to another country or continent is their safety. With many countries, if you treat people with genuine kindness and you make sure you know the laws of the location you are traveling to, you will probably remain safe. 

Another concern for people that comes with traveling is the cost of the trip. Paying for a flight and hotel rooms can be expensive in the eyes of many people, and that’s not including souvenirs, sightseeing, or food. That is one of the benefits of going to college, having Study Abroad trips available to you.

Participating in Study Abroad programs are one of the cheapest and easiest ways to travel for anyone who is interested. Luckily CSC provides different programs for anyone who wants to travel. One of the trips travels to London and Dublin, while the second one is called Cuba Libre and they travel to Cuba.

If you want to travel, take advantage of the college-led programs because they are cheaper than traveling on your own and when you go to a new location with a group, it makes you feel safer.

Because of COVID-19, the May 2020 trip to London Dublin was canceled and the trip to Cuba was pushed back a year, but the programs will continue to be offered to students when things return to normal.