Travel has the tendency to expose and introduce us to some of our worst fears. Or is it that travel has the incredible ability to grant us any number of opportunities for courage? Easing travel nerves may simply be a matter of perspective, of trust, and of knowing our true identity.
Travel makes life look attractive. She’s a seductress who whispers all kinds of promises, each tinged with truth. Those of us who have followed her can tell you, the reality seldom consist with what the imaginings tease. Not all for ill, either. Whatever she may be, travel is also an invaluable teacher. Though she doesn’t give her secrets away easily. For that, you must first buy in. Because there are things I simply didn’t know until I left home.
Nothing is more satisfying to a wanderer than to see the journeys others have taken. In the age of the internet, it’s easier than ever to read stories and enjoy photos of other travelers as they embark on their unique paths around the world. Of course, I’m talking about the rise of travel blogs. In their simplest form, they’re an outlet for bloggers to share their experiences with the world, but travel blogs cultivate much more than mere curiosity.
The way I see it, if you’re going to work, if you get to choose, why not make it something you can enjoy, at least to some degree. Something that will challenge and excite and provide new opportunities. Something outside the conventions set by those for whom work is a dirty word. Something exotic, maybe? Here’s why you should work abroad.
You should plan ahead before you take the plunge and travel abroad for a long period of time. This Before You Leave To-Do List shares a few more pearls of wisdom I’ve learnt along the way.
Life is made up of our choices. We cannot be all things for all people at all times in all places. We must choose what rings true to our destiny. Those choices will necessarily bring us close to some and further from others. For those who choose to travel, the physical distance can be overwhelming at times. Thankfully, there is something beautiful that happens in shared moments as well as shared absences. And there is a way to not only survive, but thrive in the long distances without friends and family.
It’s tempting to take what we know of the Middle Eastern part of the world and hold some skewed opinions or even pronounce certain judgments upon them without taking time to understand or visit the object of our scrutiny. Once we can learn to be aware of their cultural traditions, religious heritage, and the foundational value of respect they hold for each person, there is much about the U.A.E. which we can cherish for a lifetime. These are the cultural taboos to be aware of in the U.A.E.
How do we get from commercial outrage to united understanding? One step at a time. And maybe the first step for many of us needs to be outside of ourselves and into the lives of someone different, some place foreign. Whether that’s travel to third-world countries or to the neighborhood across town, our better selves are waiting there for us. There is great value in a global perspective.
Click here to complete your application to teach abroad with Reach To Teach.
