16 Apr 2020

Growing up, I thought that learning only occurred in a classroom, with four walls and a bunch of desks. I was told that I should finish high school, go straight to University, get a good job and then travel.

It wasn't until I began researching travel and gap years that I realised, I didn't have to defer my travels until after completing a degree.

It’s becoming more and more common for students to ditch these narratives to go out and discover the world on their own. Here’s three reasons why travelling is the ultimate form of education.

 

1. You learn from other people


Meeting new people is one of the best parts of travel, whether it’s at hostels, bars, cafes or even the stranger you're sitting next to on public transport. It’s also a great way to learn about other people and their lives, maybe they’re a friendly local wanting to show you around, or your roommate at your hostel, keen to tell you about the country they are from and what they do for work.

On my recent trip to Japan, I felt like I learnt almost as much about rural Australia from my housemates as I did about Tokyo. Point is, locals and other travellers are brilliant sources of information and experience.

2. You learn from the culture

No matter where you travel to, you’ll be thrown into a culture different from your own. From learning the local dialect to how to navigate the local subway system, it’s impossible to travel without engaging with the local culture and way of life.

Some of the best travel experiences come from making an effort to learn about your destinations culture, history and language, and it definitely beats simply reading about it in a textbook too!

3. You learn from yourself


Travelling (especially solo) really forces you to connect with yourself and discover what you want from life. It provides a chance to experience life without the pressures of work, study and people telling you what you should be doing.

I find that those exceptionally long plane, train and bus rides are especially good for having a good old think about what I want to get out of life.


All in all, travelling is a kind of education that cannot be taught in a classroom. It’s the kind of experience you cherish for a lifetime, and it’s a melting pot of culture, information and experience.

Don't let people tell you you're missing out or falling behind if you decide to take a year or two off to travel. You're simply choosing the world to be your classroom, and life is your teacher.

Words by Abbey Durrant