Facing the Challenges of World Travel

When I began this blog over a year ago, my intent was to encourage people to explore our world. For me traveling is the best way to learn about the cultures and peoples of our very diverse world. While we can read about places and peoples in books, see travel shows on TV, or watch documentaries or movies from different locations, nothing compares to actually being in a place. Places are more than what we see. They are smells and sounds and real interaction with people and culture. However, travel is not at the top of everyone’s to do list. So what keeps us from traveling more?

Of course there are a variety of reasons one might not travel. For many people it is an economic reason. The truth is travel costs money, and for some people that is an obstacle that is difficult to overcome. For others there may be physical constraints that keep them from traveling. They may have an inability to move well or have health issues that require them to be close to a doctor’s care. They may desire to travel, but physically they just can’t do it. Finally, some people have a fear of flying that keeps them grounded.

For this post, however, I want to focus on a different reason people don’t travel, and that is personal discomfort. There are many people who look at the world around them and think it’s a very unfamiliar and thus an uncomfortable place to be so they choose to stay close to home.

I think we need to confront that discomfort. If we are to grow as people, if we are to learn about our world, if we are to understand some of the issues of our day, we need to be willing to put ourselves in uncomfortable situations. Anything new often has an element of discomfort to it. Learning is seldom easy, but it can be the gateway through which we move into greater understanding. So what makes us uncomfortable?

In January I went to Malawi alone. I am always a little nervous traveling alone. It’s always comforting to have someone else with me to help make sure everything is OK. However, I have traveled alone on various occasions so I wasn’t particularly concerned. When I arrived at the Johannesburg airport, the unthinkable happened; I missed my next flight to Malawi. When I realized what had happened, I was in shock, and I really felt alone in that moment.

There were a number of things I needed to quickly do. First, of course, I needed to figure out a flight to get me to Malawi. I also needed to let my contact in Malawi know I missed my flight so he would no stand around worrying about me. I was panicked and anxious. Fortunately the airline I was using was very helpful, and in the end it all worked out. I had dealt with one of my greatest fears of traveling and had survived to tell about it.

When one travels learn to expect the unexpected. Things happen when you travel. Weather can change things, flights can be cancelled, hotel reservations can be lost. All these things can be unsettling, and for some people the very thought of these possibilities is enough to keep them home. Why go through all that hassle when one can just stay home? The reality is that most of the time things turn out fine, or it’s just an inconvenience. Trying to avoid some uncertainty in one’s life can keep us from discovering so many new and wonderful things that can add to our lives. It’s worth the risk to travel.

There are some folks who are willing to travel as long as they are traveling in areas that feel comfortable to them. Americans may be willing to travel across the United States, but don’t ask them to cross the border. Others may be willing to travel to English speaking countries, but are unwilling to travel to countries that speak other languages. Then there are many who are comfortable traveling within the western world of Europe, Australia, and North America, but are unwilling to travel beyond that.

So what is it that causes these travelers to limit themselves? I think there are a number of reasons. One of the first concerns might be about communication. People are afraid to be in a country where they don’t understand the language. They may be afraid they can’t figure things out, get lost, be taken advantage of, or appear foolish when communication is difficult. It’s easier for them to just stick with places where they are sure they can communicate well and people will understand them.

I first had this feeling when I went to Korea. Each of the places I had traveled to before had used a similar alphabet, and I often had some idea of what was being written, but the Korean language was totally different. I could not make any of it out, and that seemed very confusing and frustrating to me.

What people need to recognize is that verbal language is only one way to be able to communicate. Travelers need to learn the fine art of miming. Using hands, pointing, and gestures are all ways one can communicate. Learning a few significant words beforehand can also be helpful. Of course today we can even carry around electronic translators that can help us communicate so in truth, this fear is easily removed. Besides, telling stories abut miscommunication is always good for a laugh.

Another fear some people have is simply dealing with an unknown culture. The unfamiliar is scary to them. How will people act? What will the food be like? Is transportation safe? What should I wear. All these unknown concerns become too much for them to deal with so they just decide it’s best not to go. We aren’t talking about just third world countries here. Many Asian locations are busy metropolitan cities, but because they are Asian, people are intimidated by them. But this is the great opportunity of travel, to learn about a different culture.

Fortunately today one has all sorts of information available online that can prepare one to visit pretty much any country. Once there our visit helps us build greater understanding and sympathy for the people of that culture. My optimistic belief is that prejudices begin to fade away as we develop relationships with those outside our own culture, however we define that. Experiencing how other people live helps gives us a greater compassion for them. Travel helps us put ourselves in their shoes for a short time, and we begin to tear down the barriers of misunderstanding and distrust.

I remember a conversation I had with some friends when I lived in the Dominican Republic. They were talking about some American trade policies and making negative comments about Americans. I finally pointed out that I was an American, but they assured me I was different. They knew me and trusted me. I was not among the Americans they were referring to. I assured them that there were many Americans just like me. Not all Americans were alike. That’s the value of travel, it breaks down the stereotypes people have as they encounter people who are not like they expect them to be.

Another fear that people have, particularly in visiting third world countries, is confronting the economic inequalities that exist in the world today. In other words poverty can make us feel guilty; it makes us uncomfortable. We realize how privileged we are, and we aren’t sure if we deserve that. It’s one thing to see undernourished children in a television plea for aid. It’s another to confront an undernourished child face to face. We aren’t sure what to do with that experience so we would rather not have it. The result is we don’t go to those places. That way we don’t have to think about this inequality. That way we don’t have to do much about it either.

These feelings of guilt can be very real. After living in the Dominican Republic for four years and having friends who lived in one room homes, it was hard for me to return to the United States. It seemed wrong to spend money on certain things. I would feel guilty knowing I was purchasing a want not a need. Why was I so privileged? In time those feelings faded, but over the years I have visited various places that remind me of my privilege, and I have to reevaluate my thoughts and actions regarding the economic inequality that exists in the world today. Staying in my comfortable American home would allow me to avoid such thoughts, but I think we all need to deal with this, and travel can help us to do just that.

Finally I think the bottom line for many people is that travel does just what it should do, it opens us up to a greater understanding of our world, and that’s scary. Greater understanding might mean one would need to change. We may need to evaluate long held prejudices and attitudes. We may need to reconsider our financial values and priorities. Staying in our own bubble is easier. It feels safer; it’s comfortable. Travel takes us out of our bubble, and may force us to change, and that’s usually a good thing.

So how can one face the challenge of leaving their comfort zone? The ideal way is to travel with a group whose leaders will help prepare the members for what they will see or experience. This can be a regular tour group, or it could be a group with a purpose, such a a church or mission group. As I said in a previous post, it was my mission trip around the world that really changed my perspective about many things. The main encouragement I would offer is make sure the trip allows for interaction with the people. Don’t just looks at buildings and historical places. Learn about the people and their culture, and experience the discomfort that provides.

Have you experienced anxiety as you have traveled to unfamiliar places? Has travel changed your perspective of the world or other cultures? I’d like to hear your thoughts in the comment section below, and don’t forget to subscribe.