How Travel Changes Your World View

[@FlyWithVeiga]

Traveling just recharges my “battery”. I vacation 3-4 times a year; it gives me something to look forward to!

[@photobearcmh]

Traveling is the best gift my parents ever gave me. We grew up in a small town allowing us to have a bigger view of things. It really exploded when I went to Europe for the first time. Absolutely life-changing. It started a great love affair and I've been hooked ever since.

[@tobiojo6469]

Traveling expands your mind

[@evelyngrammar]

One thing Rick Steves shared after his first trip to Europe as a young teenager was that he realized parents in other countries loved their children as much as his parents loved him. Yes, we are all part of the human race. And one thing a colleague shared with me that changed my outlook on my vacation dollars: going to Germany is less expensive than going to Disney.

[@zwiderwurzn5908]

During my travels, I have found that there are friendly, helpful people all over the world, even if you can only communicate with your hands and feet. This helps to reduce mistrust of foreign people in general.

[@naverich4603]

I mean...I agree...but you can also see that there are clear differences in the way they live and that many places have fundamental differences in their culture compared to ours (I'm European)...and I just can't help myself but be glad that I was born where I was born and that my culture is what it is and I don't want it to be destroyed. I respect other cultures and am fascinated by some even, but I don't think mixing them without assimilation is a great idea 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@kathywolters6582]

Traveling is an enlightening experience that delights my senses. The foods I’ve tasted, smells from around the world , hearing different music performed on different instruments, beautiful scenery and cultural sites and most of all meeting new people who have shared their lives with us. Then all the new experiences you learn from! It is a Joy to travel and learn about different cultures.

[@Aurinkohelmi]

It's so beneficial to learn about other cultures. Beside traveling watching TV shows from all around the world is also a good way to see things differently.

[@andrewalexander4331]

Brilliant video. This is why we travel, and what a lot of people miss out on.

[@JaneTaubman]

I have been lucky enough to visit over 50 countries and all seven continents. There is something so special about chatting to a beduin who spoke 5 languages, while sitting on a sand dune or talking to a guide who lived through the horrors of the pol pot regime in Cambodia. Then there is watching 100 humpbacks near Bear Island on the way back from Svalbard. I am sure everyone who travels has memories they will treasure. All you need is an open mind and a willingness to try.

[@SteveInNEPA1]

Decades ago, a young President Kennedy used the phrase 'my fellow citizens of the world.' In all things, that should be our perspective. We all have different cultural backgrounds, yet we all share so much in common. Travel helps erase the prejudices we all harbor to one extent or another, and allows us to both understand and embrace the rest of humanity in a much more universal way. Plus, it's just plain fun! Yours in wanderlust, and on my way to Munich in a few hours, Steve

[@rawifacation]

@@SteveInNEPA1 the world is my country, all mankind are my brethren, and to do good is my religion.- Thomas Paine

[@JAMs19777]

We just started traveling again since the pandemic and my daughter got old enough to enjoy it and I love it so much.

[@soapyd2]

Thanks for changing the world for the better, Mark!

[@stevesmith180]

It not only changes your view of the world, it REALLY makes you appreciate what we have her in the USA!

[@jkinnear81]

Amazing topic. I think when we look at countries like the US, Canada, England and even Australia I think we can all agree these are pretty multicultural countries. However that may be, travel has opened up my eyes to believe there is nothing like the real experience. While many people who love travel may have a Lonely planet or Fodors collection at home. I have a culture smart series collection at home. When I travel I want to learn about how people live in that country. What do they like, what do they not like. How are they different. What is Taboo. What do they eat, what do they believe in etc... That to me is what travelling is all about. It's about educating ourselves to see how society works as a whole. I love couchsurfing and meetup events for these reasons. It's always great to talk to someone and ask where their from and you can say you've been there and make a compliment about where they're from. Lately I've been doing some serious research on where I am travelling next. The Philippines. It will be the 50th country I visit and we're leaving very soon.

[@nicolel2585]

I had the amazing opportunity to travel to the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium a little over a year ago and it was my first time outside of North America. I was always afraid of travelling so far from 'home'...even as an adult. But one of the most incredible feelings I've ever felt was walking around these 'foreign' places but somehow still feeling at home. Yes, I missed my bed and my dog, but I didn't feel so out of place like I expected. Even with language barriers, it was amazing to feel so connected to people on the other side of the world. I can't wait to travel more!

[@BeyondWrittenWords]

Traveling and meeting a lot of people also gives more insight about your own personality, how people in different countries react to you

[@paradoxparade1]

Travel is to the soul as a smile is to being happy.

[@vietnamesefisheatbananas8607]

One thing I think is missing from the video is how travelling and getting to know other cultures can really help you understand your own culture. You start questioning like "hey, that really cool thing they do here, why don't we have that at home?" and you start to realise pros and cons with different places and how they can impact daily life

[@izodman]

So true on the stress part! I can appreciate exploring outside of the US. You learn to appreciate other people who think different than you. I always suggest to take holidays outside of US and see other parts of the world and to minimise news consumptions and misinformed acquaintances.

[@costasworldofmusicmemories5792]

Indeed, our world changed when we started meeting locals and engaging with them even if we didn't know the language. We have made friends from all over the world including friends from he US traveling around the world. Harriet and I have alway kept an open mind when traveling. Stereotyping comes from a lack of knowledge. Thank you Mark and Jocelyn for sharing this knowledge. All the best👍👍 Jim and Harriet

[@JesusistheLambofGod]

You have great videos. You remind me that traveling is a gift. I lived in Finland two weeks this year with my friend. Prettiest place in snow ❄️ in world is Finland.

[@JamesThomas-fj8ds]

It really opens up your eyes when you travel to different countries and you see their cultures. And get to meet and talk with the people. As an English man, we have a stereotype that we are all disrespectful, and I made a group of German guys in a karaoke bar in Amsterdam realise that not all of us are. And we had the best night out with them all.

[@prestonfitzgerald4068]

I agree 100% with everything you said. Traveling will always be my biggest passion. I grew up with family all over the place that opened up my eyes. I really started traveling after graduating college in 2022 and it has given me so many memories! Plus it is so amazing to learn about the different cultures and their way of life. Can’t wait to cross Japan off my list next!

[@mak090974]

One thing nobody ever tells you about traveling abroad is you will get your fair share of critics too. I went to Europe solo for the first time last year, and I was shocked when people criticize my choice. Those are the people who need an overseas trip more than anyone else. As for me, I have no regrets over broadening my mind and I’ll do it again as time and finances allow.

[@chocolatespuds]

Went to Turkey this year. Had a few people genuinely concerned I was going to get assaulted for being an American tourist. By the time I was back in the Istanbul airport, headed back home, I was so over their ignorance it was actually hilarious.

[@yaowsers77]

i love that travel lets me be a part of something and somewhere different. i love interacting with new people and learning new things. lol what really surprised me in edinburgh was the canadian accent! so many canadians moved there and work there so i didn't hear the scottish accent as much. i also love exploring. that's why i love going into nyc because there's always something to do but to do it elsewhere is even more exciting! i hope i hear a lot of people with a southern accent when i go to savannah next month but my friend already warned me that it's not that prevalent. oh well, at least there's the food! i love trying the food of the places i go to!

[@AmericanEnglishBrent]

This, I love.

[@roddiesimmons8773]

I totally agree. There is so much talk about Brazilians from people who have never lived in Brazil.🤔

[@carolynbridges6505]

We grew up as children of German immigrants. Their experiences growing up in war torn Europe made them huge American patriots Traveling back with us to Europe and seeing the rebuilding of Europe was life affirming for my parents and eye opening for me. My husband and I make travel a huge priority and it has changed the lives of our kids. We spent several weeks in Egypt last year where our son was working. He is now on his way to a new position in Japan.

[@1958zed]

My father's cousin ran a guesthouse in a tiny village in Germany, and on the bulletin board in the lobby, he had the following quote: "The world is a great book, and those who do not travel read only the first page." Then there's Mark Twain, who said: "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's life." I couldn't agree more with both. And you don't need to travel abroad to have those experiences. I lived in rural Indiana and some of the folks who were born and raised there had never been to even someplace nearby like Chicago.

[@johnpuntenney4596]

Traveling really opened my views on the world, and helped me figure out places I want to go next

[@swissfoodie3542]

Thats a great video, thank you Mark. Travelling means a lot to me, for many different reasons. I have been lucky to have two separate one year long trips around Asia, and I am still travelling about twice a year. For me travelling is the best school ever. I learn so much about other countries, cultures, religions and way of livings. It opens my mind and makes me hopefully more open minded and tolerant. I like to try and enjoy new kind of foods. Also, when I am abroad, I am reminded of how lucky I am to live in Switzerland (when things like health, safety, education, social care etc. are concerned), which I take sometime too much for granted.

[@gordonyates7972]

I went to Europe for the first time last year. Everything you said is correct in my case. I can't wait to get back there and experience more! Next April. 😊

[@matthiggins6750]

I cherish the moments when I've been overseas and I've had unexpected encounters with locals, something outside the standard tourist experience. A few years ago, I was in Cuba. I was at an Afro- Caribbean art school in Havana and needed a ride across town to the government sanctioned market. A neighbor and friend of the school's principal gave me a ride in his car. His car had a Russian frame, a German engine, and it sounded like a lawn mower's! I thought I won't get to where I need to go and I worried about getting robbed. No problems! I made it there and had a nice conversation with the guy who brought me. Wonderful experience that required a little risk, but totally worth it!

[@tobiojo6469]

Hey Mark, awesome video.

[@corinna007]

Yes! I've always like travelling, but up until I was almost 20, I hadn't been able to go anywhere by myself. I still haven't been able to travel nearly as much as I want to, but Finland has half of my heart. Even when I was planning my first trip there, I knew I would love it. I've been there four times now so far, and consider it my kakkoskoti. It feels so much like Canada while also being different. I can't describe how much those trips have given me.

[@lindab5789]

Love this video so much! I've been lucky enough to visit 30 countries, and have found that we are all much more alike, than we are different!!!!

[@derronstravels21]

After traveling, when I hear someone speak English with an accent, I know they are probably fluent in 4 or 5 other languages.

[@extreme8780]

I'm going to be going to Austria as my first time solo travelling and your videos are a bunch of help and very reassuring. Thank you Wolter

[@stephenbrown4211]

After having bad experiences of Germans when on holiday around the world, I was pleasantly surprised how nice they are back home. My first visit to Germany was to Berlin and found Berliners very welcoming and totally changed my view

[@annmajek5203]

The stress reliever for me. Love seeing how people live all over the world. And yes. Breaks down stereotypes ❤

[@themac9677]

When i left america for the first time and went to Ibiza it changed my life entirely. My Spanish is decent but not good and for once I understood what it felt like to be the foreigner speaking the broken language asking about everything. It immediately took me back to all the foreign people travelling in the US I've met speaking Broken English. I have a new found respect for them. I'm also quite social and have gained a lot in asking the Spanish about their views of family, life, work and my country

[@texasboy5117]

After traveling to my 60th country in 2024, it is truly life changing.

[@timmmahhhh]

Thanks for saying Suomi, I've had the wrong pronunciation in my head, emphasizing the first syllable. Totally agree with your perspective here on travel.

[@kingston4313]

Ooo you got nice eyes. I never noticed until now. Im gonna travel to switzerland, and Venice, next year partly cuz u and other travel content creator😊 inspired me

[@japanneedsjesus]

Hi Wolter! Great video! 🇪🇬🐪🌴

[@ep4423]

True 💯

[@jumbowana]

Traveling only ever makes me with I was back in the midwest. People are not the same everywhere.

[@Tramptraveller]

❤❤❤

[@RedemptionArcTravels]

3:35 Not just Finnish, but Nordic cinnamon rolls are the GOAT of cinnamon rolls.

[@Levrailben]

Nice hair cut ❤ love this guy always positive

[@filmbuff2777]

Great video, thanks for sharing. My Mum gave me the travel bug, & I think its changed my perspective on how I do my photography. I am a passionate film shooter, & I tend to save certain specialty type films for my overseas trips. I also think I have a similar feeling about food as what you mentioned here. I love pizza, & after having the real thing in Italy, it doesn't feel the same at home (I'm Australian). I can still enjoy the fast food style of something like Dominos, but I'd much rather have the traditional Italian pizza.

[@HerrBrutal-bl2fk]

Being Scandinavian, I'm fortunate having the means to travel the world. I've met with people in India, USA and the south of Italy where life is very different from my neck of the woods. It's easy to say things like "we're all the same", but different levels of income really create gaps between people. My experiences have made me more humble, but does that sentiment aid a family in Gujarat, Leon County or Basilicata? Probably not, but I will always claim encounters between people are enriching. Have I used my time and money wisely? Yes, of that I'm sure.

[@t.a.k.palfrey3882]

It is particularly important that, whenever possible, families travel together while children are still minors. My grandsons have each visited each other's homes in 🇦🇺🇨🇦🇬🇧🇰🇪, and between eight and 21 other countries. The oldest in 14. They've inherited my wanderlust. I first did a concert tour in US and Canada, from the UK, when Eisenhower was president. Now, at 75, I retain memories of each of the 120+ countries I've visited. Btw, In how many languages do your sons have some level of fluency?

[@iamthematti]

as a finnish I was surprised how recoqnizable your pronounciation of some finnish words are. Often when people come visit for just a little time i cant even understand what word theyre trying to say

[@JonnieArroyo]

You have to be open to different cultures and foods. If you see without comparing things it's wonderful. I ate food i probably wouldn't eat

[@lostinthought2135]

One of the most important experiences in life is traveling outside your country.

[@nightowl356]

I agree to the most part, but with a caveat: many people think they are like sooo much wiser just because they've visited places around the world. what I mean is: going abroad is not enough to broaden your mind, you need the right attitude too

[@nightowl356]

(I include myself too, I spent a gap year in New Zealand and in the following years I've thought I knew sooo much more than anybody without this kind of experience, when in reality it just meant I was privileged9

[@JimCasler]

Thank you. I enjoyed this video. I hope to travel more...need to balance the wallet with the experience. Cheers my friend. Much joy and happiness to you and your fsmily.

[@darlinnikki9514]

As an American, I really didn't know how good we have it, even our citizens living below the poverty level. I visited countries where there is no welfare even if you are born disabled. Everybody has to earn a living. I visited countries that have no government support for senior citizens. I got to witness different protests. In the Netherlands the farmers were protesting restrictions by dumping horse manure, tires and tissue on the highways. I learned that schools in Thailand were closing due to low birth rates. This was before the pandemic. Women were getting jobs and no longer Needed to get married. I learned about ration booklets in Cuba.

[@TheRacy]

It's cheaper to travel abroad then in the US now.

[@donnawhite6066]

I do not understand the lack of curiosity about the world.

[@alisaknv6895]

❤

[@ghtcastagne]

Traveling is the best way to invest your money..

[@ProfessorDavidL]

It makes me appreciate so much about being from the US while also appreciating the good in other cultures and things they do better and we can improve on.

[@davidrice6724]

Then there are those who have the time and money....but are very money sensitive and don't feel that travel provides a good return on their investment..... I, however, am not of that type😊

[@alexanders.7719]

♥️🇺🇸♥️

[@biggieboy9229]

Travel is fatal to prejudice, ignorance, and narrowmindedness, don’t know who said it, maybe it was Mark

[@deljay1840]

OK but ultimately, most Americans come back to the states and change absolutely nothing. And Military service members are some of the most well-traveled but their worldviews still are conservative on average