Travel is an opportunity to read the world.  On each page, you might find a new, taste, flavour, scent, vision or sound that will make your world a richer place. On each page, you might meet new people, form new relationships, find and discover new languages. Of course, you will enjoy some ‘pages’ more than others – but even the parts you don’t enjoy at the time may have a profound effect on you later in life.

“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.”
Saint Augustine

For the most part, travel is a fantastic experience. Seeing new places, be they man-made structures or areas of outstanding natural beauty can be truly inspirational. From the Taj Mahal to the Grand Canyon, from Kilimanjaro to the Sagrada Familia, our planet is endowed with an enormous array of jaw-dropping sights.

From a more practical perspective, being able to organise all aspects of a trip is a valuable life skill. Booking flights and accommodation is but the tip of the iceberg – the seasoned traveller has a full itinerary, and knows where to find the best bars and restaurants and the best deals on transport, food and activities. Pre-departure preparation includes finding out about vaccinations, visa restrictions and local language and currency.

On the topic of language, travel offers the perfect opportunity to chat, or at least communicate, with someone from a different cultural background.

Discovering common words or patterns is a treat for any linguist, as is picking up the basics of a previously unknown tongue – being able to say ‘thank you’ to a local shopkeeper or order  a coffee indicates that you are engaging with the world around you, and making an effort to communicate in a language not your own.

Not only does seeing a different country open your mind to new possibilities, it also helps you to see your own country or city with fresh eyes. You are more likely to notice everything that you previously took for granted, all the strange linguistic or cultural quirks that your thought were universal.

More than ever before, young people today have the opportunity to travel and see new places. Cheap flights, relaxed visa restrictions and greater exposure to new cultures mean it has never been easier to travel. Taking a break from work or study, or even working or studying abroad, has never been more popular. Young people in particular are increasingly keen to sample a new culture and try to get to grips with a second, or even third language- the benefits are both personal and professional.

All in all, travel offers a million and one different experiences – some positive, some less so – but all will help you develop as a person. Travel offers an opportunity to see new things, but also to see old things in new ways. Learning a language is a life skill that will help you to communicate, but also understand people and points of view that you may never have otherwise experienced.

So what are you waiting for? Get ready, and get going!