The Importance of Travelling During College

“Just to travel is rather boring, but to travel with a purpose is educational and exciting” – Sargent Shriver.

After graduation, what is the one thing that people regret about their college years? Many alumni will say they wish they had taken the opportunity to travel or study abroad. So many students graduate without taking the leap and traveling, then regret it later. Now, more than ever, it is becoming increasingly important for college students to go abroad. Our world is growing in its demand for globally-minded people, and one of the best ways to achieve this is through travel and exploration.

It’s difficult to travel once you’re out of school. The hardships of finding a career, securing a home, paying bills, and settling down with a family are realities that encumber peoples’ abilities to travel. Not only that, but it can be a lot priceyer, since student discounts no longer apply once you have your certificate. Even if you do get to take a trip with your family in the future, it is much like chalk and cheese than being out in the world on your own or with a group of friends. Your options become more restricted, and your money does not go as far.

Students complain that traveling is too pricey. It’s true - with mounting airfare costs, travel can come with a high price tag. on the other hand, as a student, you have one very magical advantage: scholarships. There are scholarships that fund study abroad programs, international research, internships, personal projects, language learning, and even leisure travel. Scholarship donors want students to travel, and thus thousands of scholarships are dedicated solely to this cause. Similarly, there are quite a few contests and fellowships you can apply for as a student.

Architecture firms and architecture colleges recognize the importance and value of international experience, and it is certainly a sought-after quality in potential candidates. Additionally, the skills you attain through travel are some of the most valuable in the professional world, such as self-determination, networking, and bilingualism. There are plenty of profit-making traits that traveling engenders, and employers do notice when you have taken the time to participate in travel-related activities.

Most crucially, however, investing in travel is like investing in an education - the results are ethereal but extremely valuable. You will learn so much more than you do from a textbook, or from a class lecture, or from taking test after test with smallest amount of sleep. Through travel, you have the golden opportunity to see first-hand the things you’ve learned, to put into practice the skills you’ve acquired. You gain a global viewpoint and a strong independence that no other teaching method can impart. Travel teaches forbearance, self-reliance, and ingenuity as well, three key skills that you can use for the rest of your life. Without travel, you will only see the world on a screen or in a book, but you will never get to experience it for yourself. Do you really want to let this opportunity pass you by?

The underside line here is that travelling during college is vital to a wholesome, comprehensive education. As students, our finest time to travel is running out. Therefore, we should Take the opportunity now, before it vanishes right before your eyes. Travelling is analogous to architecture.