There is nothing wrong with going right to college and then moving right on to your dream job, but there is also something to be said for taking some time off after high school and before joining the “real world.”
Here are 5 reasons why you should take some time to travel before heading off to college!
It Will Give You a New Perspective
Ask anyone who has traveled in between high school and college and they will tell you that they came back from their travels a changed person. Why take a gap year?
One reason is that traveling gives you a whole new outlook on life and helps you to figure out what’s really important to you. It can also show you what you’re made of – until you travel a bit, you may not know just how daring, smart, and resourceful you really are.
It gives you an opportunity to broaden your horizons and find out new things that you may like (and eventually even wonder how you ever lived without!). Traveling to a country instead of just reading about it is also a great way to expand your knowledge about the people, politics, and history of far-off places.
In short, travel is a great way to grow up. People may not even recognize you when you get back.
It Will Give You Something to Remember for the Rest of Your Life
Whether it is next fall and you’re sitting in a classroom as the teacher drones on and on about the Lend-Lease Act or 10 years from now as you are waiting for a bus in the pouring rain to take you to work, it is nice to have fond memories of that amazing trip you took.
Someday you’ll appreciate having that scrapbook full of pictures to look at, from that time in between high school and college when you were remarkably free of stress and responsibility and the world was yours.
It Will Look Great on Your Resume
You might think that taking time off to travel can make you look flighty or indulgent to employers. On the contrary, employers love to see applicants who have been to far off places and have had unique experiences.
It lets them know that you are willing to take chances, that you have had some real life experience, and that you are all right leaving your comfort zone.
Such an experience is also great to bring up during a job interview. If you can, use something that happened on your trip as an example of how you handled the unexpected or how you took charge of a situation, which will really impress them!
You May Meet Someone Special
Who knows? That one day outing to see the Eiffel Tower or that trip to a Tuscan winery may be the place where you meet your true love.
Or, it may be the place where you meet someone who turns out to be the best friend you’ve ever had. Traveling has a strange way of bringing people together who have a lot in common.
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It May Point You in a Different Life Direction
Maybe all of your life you have wanted to be an accountant – there’s nothing wrong with that, but maybe after visiting that little town in The Netherlands you change your mind and decide you’d rather open a little souvenir store there.
Travel and adventure have a strange way of making you think about what you really want to do with your life!
There are many benefits to traveling before college – and you don’t have to go all the way across the world, either. Even traveling to the next state can provide valuable life experience and amazing memories that you will cherish the rest of your life.
Before it’s time to head back to school, consider traveling. It’s something you’ll never forget!
Image Credit: travel before college by envato.com
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