Photo by Brandi Ibrao on Unsplash
I choose to make travel a priority in my life because I feel that it is imperative for global understanding. When I travel it helps shine a light on my life and the world in general. The concept that stands out in my mind is that we (humankind) are more alike than we are different. Once you grasp this concept it becomes very easy to empathize with another person's plight. It is for this reason that I was glad to hear that my daughter's college required all freshman to possess a passport. (My daughter already had a passport) The school's administration encouraged the students to be global citizens. I think that the reason the administration wanted the students to prioritize travel was two-fold. One, they wanted their students to think beyond their community. Two, I think they wanted their students of color to have more visibility on the global stage.
I consider myself to be a global citizen. I am concerned with events that happen not only in my own community but on a global scale as well. I think that my current world view has been cultivated by the amount of time I spend traveling. Whenever I return from a trip abroad I always feel more refreshed and more grateful than I felt before I left. I always return in awe of the beauty of God's handiwork. The spectacular landscapes humble me and the wonderful and friendly people I meet on my journeys leave me feeling hopeful about the future of humankind. For me, travel is a priority and not a luxury.
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