How Traveling the World Affects Life and Personality

I’ve always loved traveling and having visited 4 continents and 20 countries (so far), it has made a significant impact on my life. I honestly don’t think I’d be the person I am today without it. And after reflecting on how I’ve changed as a result of the journeys I’ve taken, I wondered how traveling the world affects life and personality overall.

As a result, I called on some of my fellow bloggers to share how travel has made a difference in their lives. This post is a compilation of their and my experiences in an effort to explore this topic more in-depth.

10 Ways Traveling the World Affects Life and Personality

1. Improves Communication Skills, Especially in Kids

Submitted by Catherine Jordan from Travel Around Ireland.

A way in which travel positively affects personality and life is via communication and compassion for others. For some, the language barrier is an element of visiting new countries that can be off-putting. But not for young kids.

Young kids know no boundaries or barriers when it comes to traveling and making friends. They find ways to communicate through actions and play. It is often the adults who find it difficult.

Traveling can expand a person’s life and ability to communicate in ways others can’t.

Some kids who learn new languages gain new communication skills and compassion through their experience, of knowing the difficulties travelers face in a strange country whose language they do not understand.

They gain an understanding many do not have and with it, the confidence to approach new kids and just play, whether any words are spoken or not. The combination of their understanding and confidence is a life-long personality skill that can only be of benefit as they grow up.

An example is my 9-year-old son. We moved when he was 3, to a country whose language none of us knew, and within 6 months of starting pre-school, he was fluent enough to hold conversations. Now, he is more Portuguese than he is Irish, and he is never shy about approaching anyone to try and talk to them or communicate in other ways.

Traveling, especially for kids, instills in them the confidence to know that they can find a way to communicate with others, even against a language barrier, and that is something that positively affects their personality and life.

2. Travel Makes You More Compassionate

Submitted by Kristin Lee from Global Travel Escapades.

Another way in which travel changes people is that it can often make you more compassionate. Traveling offers you the opportunity to step away from your day-to-day life and comforts and exposes you to a different way of life.

Sometimes this new environment may look similar to what you’ve experienced in the past, while other times the culture feels completely different. Either way, travel shows you what exists beyond your bubble of familiarity back home. And for me, seeing and experiencing these cultural differences helped me become a more compassionate person.

For example, whenever I’ve traveled through France, I’ve always noticed quite a few homeless people begging for money. Considering the city I come from has very few homeless people, it can be a bit of a culture shock seeing this, especially because France is usually associated with being a country that’s well-off.

While cultural differences or unsavory sights may be frustrating or annoying to some, I’ve always found it to be an opportunity to be more compassionate and understanding of those who are different from me. So, in this way, travel can both expose you to a whole new world as well as make you more compassionate towards those around you.

3. Travel Helps You Get Out of Your Comfort Zone

Submitted by Nick from The World Overload

One of the many benefits of travel is getting yourself out of your comfort zone. You may be a person who enjoys the safety and comfort of your bubble, going to the same places every weekend, and eating the same food while still having a piece of you longing for more.

Maybe you’ve dreamed of exploring bucket list destinations and having adventures around the world but have let fear prevent you from pursuing these passions.

Yes, this new feeling of potentially trying something completely out of the ordinary may give you some anxiety, however in the long term, you may come to see that as a positive. While it may be difficult at the beginning, let your desire to explore new places be greater than your fears.

By taking the risk and going outside of your comfort zone and truly engaging with new experiences, it can lead to incredible things. And, travel is a fantastic way of helping you leave your normal routines behind.

When you are in a completely foreign area with a new culture it can seem intimidating at first but after some time, you may find it exhilarating. But do not fear, if there is still a part of you that craves a sense of consistency you can develop new (albeit different) routines when you travel such as going for walks at the same time of day, eating at the same time (but maybe in different places), and leaving some down time for you to reflect.

Changing your routines and traveling to new places can even lead to personal growth and you may come to even love it. Change no longer becomes as scary and the act of traveling can help you discover not only new destinations but things about yourself you never knew.

4. Travel Increases Your Confidence

Submitted by Jami Dale from Celiac Travel Pack

Planning a trip to a new place can be exciting. Or, it could be terrifying to think about leaving home. It can feel secure to be where we know what to expect. Whether you’re excited, terrified, or somewhere in between, taking a leap to travel to a new place will radically change your self-confidence.

My first experience with travel came when I was 20 years old. I decided, on a whim, to study abroad in Spain for a semester. I hadn’t left the country before and I’d only been on a plane once. I remember being so scared I was sick the morning of my flight. I was not prepared.

The only reason I followed through was because the semester had started and I was out thousands of dollars.  How was a girl from a small town in Kentucky going to do this?

Flash forward a few months and I’d successfully kicked {most} of my homesickness, learned to navigate subway systems, and figured out the hostel scene. I’d planned trips all over Europe. One day I realized that I didn’t feel scared anymore. I knew what I was capable of confident.

Eventually, my negative thoughts of “What if I can’t do this or What if I fail” turned to “If I can navigate the metro system in New York City, I can do ____” (insert whatever challenge you’re facing). 

I left home timid and scared. I came back confident in my ability to do hard/scary things. And that scary things aren’t that scary after doing them!

Now, nearly 15 years later, I still love finding places that make me feel less than confident. Can I tour around Asia for 3 weeks? Can I go on a safari in Africa? 

My travel experiences remind me how capable I am. 

Travel can do the same thing for you! Take a trip! Experience a new place, meet new people, and do something that feels scary. Looking back on the experience will make you feel strong and capable!

5. Travel Affects Your Personality by Making You Braver

Submitted by Melanie Ferguson from Postcards & Places

Travel makes you braver. Travel often breaks you free from your daily routine and encourages you to do things you normally wouldn’t.

For example, you may not be able to speak the local language or know how to do everyday things like buy groceries or find your way around in a new and foreign place, but you still put yourself in these situations for the love of travel. By embracing these unfamiliar situations, you develop the courage to navigate through them, and this willingness to face the unknown fosters bravery and a sense of self-assurance.

When you go somewhere new, it’s often an excuse to try new things. Adventure sports, exotic foods, unfamiliar festivals—each new experience pushes the boundaries of your “comfort zone” and expands it.

Imagine being afraid of the ocean, then taking a trip to Hawaii and watching surfers of all abilities catch waves. Imagine being inspired to take a lesson there and learning the basic skills. Imagine catching a wave and realizing the ocean isn’t so scary after all.

Travel can present various challenges, such as talking to strangers, getting lost, or dealing with transportation issues. Every time you successfully overcome these problems, you develop resilience and self-confidence, knowing you’re able to bounce back from difficulties. And this resilience translates into increased bravery as you become more willing to tackle challenges head-on, even in your day-to-day life.

6. Travel Makes You More Humble

Submitted by Simeon Onaji from Toz Ome

Traveling offers a profound realization of our place in the universe, allowing us to embrace our relatively insignificant position within it. Far from disheartening; this newfound awareness underlines the important role we play in the world. As Gustave Flaubert astutely observed in one of his many Inspirational Travel Quotes, “Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.” This is precisely why traveling is beneficial for us.

Meaningful globetrotting provides context for our lives. It aligns our tiny fragment of existence within the vast expanse of the universe. It’s not about feeling insignificant; rather, it highlights the enormity of the world and reminds us that our triumphs and difficulties may not carry as much importance as we often perceive them to.

In a society where self-importance is often emphasized, feeling special has become almost a necessity. Yet, the world is vast, and we cannot always be at its center. Recognizing that we are part of something much larger and more meaningful is essential, and traveling exposes us to experiences that reaffirm this notion time and time again.

Ultimately, traveling is a powerful tool for personal growth and self-discovery. As we journey through new landscapes and cultures, we learn to see the world through different eyes, shedding our egocentric tendencies in favor of a more open-minded and humble perspective. So the next time you embark on an adventure – embrace not just the thrill, but the invaluable lessons in humility that await you.

7. You Become More Mindful When You Travel

Submitted by Linda Stacy from Muy Linda Travels

Travel can have a big effect on your life and can even change your personality. When you’re traveling, the stresses and strains of everyday life fade away and a new and exciting world opens up.

Life is somehow more interesting, more vibrant, more fun, and more relaxing on a well-planned trip. It’s easy to be in the moment enjoying the sights and sounds of new places and discovering the joy and beauty in the world.  

This is especially true when you allow yourself time to fully be present in what you are doing or seeing vs rushing to the next spot for that perfect picture. By giving yourself time (and permission) to slow down and fully take everything in (the sights, sounds, smells, etc.) you get the most out of your travels, and when you take this practice home with you, your everyday life.

The old habits and patterns of thought that bind you when you’re at home seem to fall away and another more open and relaxed version of the self emerges. The body relaxes more deeply, and the mind slows down. The focus on the present moment creates a mindful way of being that can become a habit over time the more you practice it.

Solo travel takes you out of your everyday world and has the power to influence your personality by encouraging you to be more mindful and aware of each moment. Independently visiting places that amaze you with stunning scenery, experiencing the wonder of a work of art, or connecting on a deep level with someone you’ve just met helps you to be more in the moment and can create wonderful and lasting memories.

8. Travel Makes You More Grateful

Submitted by Kristin from World on Wheels Blog

It’s really easy to get caught up in the challenges of everyday life. It can at times be a kin to living in your own sort of bubble because you’re so focused on what needs to get done or what didn’t go right etc.

Traveling can help break you free from that bubble as it allows you to explore new places and different cultures. I find that this process also helps you to keep life in perspective.

When you see the challenges of others and examine your own life in the grand scheme of things, it can help you reevaluate the beliefs you have about your circumstance. Oftentimes, this can result in feelings of gratitude.

I know for me I can sometimes take for granted that I live in a country that has disability and access laws which generally make living in the United States fairly easy. When I travel to places like Uraguay I’m reminded of how lucky I am (accessibility may be improving but is very hit-or-miss here).

Similarly, when I was in Santiago Chile, I had several wheelchair users approach me to ask about my small, powered wheelchair. They had never seen something like that and wanted to know more as it would give them more independence than a manual wheelchair. It is easy to forget that medical devices and certain technology may not be available everywhere in the world.

Traveling has made me more grateful that I live in a country where accessibility is fairly good and I’m not trapped inside of my house due to an inability to go to everyday places. While I still experience accessibility challenges in the United States from time to time, they are nothing compared to what people with disabilities have to live with in other countries.

However, no matter what your abilities, travel can lead to increased feelings of gratitude when you see the challenges that others are dealing with or allow yourself to be grateful for the experience. There are so many opportunities to reflect during your trips and there can many things that strike or move us. Finally, we should all be grateful just for the ability to travel, as that is not something that everyone has the opportunity to do.

9. Travel Helps You See Different and New Perspectives

Submitted by Kristin from World on Wheels Blog

As someone who is from the United States, I grew up learning American History. Sure, there were instances where I learned world history, but it was always taught from the American perspective.

During a trip to London, I had a fabulous tour guide who taught me not only about the city but gave me a new perspective on history. It so happened that the topic of the Revolutionary War came up. It was so interesting to see how that conflict was viewed by someone else.

I was reminded of the fact that the same event can happen to two people (or in this case countries) with each having a completely different perspective of what happened. Furthermore, when you go into a situation like this with an open mind and a willingness to listen (vs being adamant about your own views and perceptions) you can begin to understand people much better.

While you may or may not agree with someone else’s view of a situation, this understanding of how they perceive something can lead to a more genuine connection and allow you to develop more compassion for them.

Traveling the world gives you the opportunity to expand your way of thinking and learn new perspectives because it exposes you to different cultures and traditions. Furthermore, it provides you with a chance to talk with and get to know others who may not see the world as you do which allows for growth and the ability to see something from a different angle.

10. Traveling Helps You Become a Better Problem Solver

Submitted by Kristin from World on Wheels Blog

Let’s face it, rarely does travel ever go perfectly smoothly. You’re bound to face some kind of dilemma or problem during your trip. Whether it’s missing a flight connection, accidentally taking the wrong train, or the hotel has no record of your booked stay, you will run into something that requires you to think on your feet and find a solution.

Encountering these obstacles will force you to take action and problem-solve the situation. You will learn to use critical thinking and become creative to get your needs met. And the more you travel, the more time you will have to hone these skills to find an acceptable resolution.

As someone who travels in a wheelchair, I often find that I encounter potentially more obstacles while traveling due to my specialized needs. At first, having to navigate these situations overwhelmed me and stressed me out.

Now, I have gone through them enough to know what proposed solutions will work and which ones won’t. I’ve also become more familiar with my rights as a traveler and as a result, have become a better advocate for myself and can offer better solutions to the problems.

While I don’t enjoy facing these problems during my trips, at least I’m better prepared to deal with them. I can definitely say that my problem-solving skills have improved with each trip I’ve taken.

The Importance of Traveling

Now that we’ve explored how traveling the world can affect life and personality, there are other additional benefits of travel that are also worth mentioning. This section will explore the importance of traveling beyond how it changes you as a person and focuses more on the other positive ways it can impact your life.

☑️ Travel Can Reduce Stress

Submitted by Tonya from Detail Oriented Traveler

The importance of traveling with your kids has many benefits. Often, those benefits cited include exposing them to new cultures, or destinations, and experiencing new foods and activities.

However, traveling with your kids gives them the added benefit of escaping daily life. Children, especially those in middle grades and teenagers, have a lot going on. Typically they may have hours of homework and after-school activities that take up the rest of their afternoon and evenings. Add in household chore expectations or even a part-time job for teenagers, when do they have any downtime?

Plus, friendship expectations and too much time on phones and social media can add to the mounting daily pressures.

Not to mention, their daily routine may keep them up too late finishing those activities and homework, and early start times for school, they miss out on important sleep.

That’s why traveling with your kids is important beyond cultural and educational exposure. Travel removes these daily activities and responsibilities and allows them to destress, decompress, and disconnect from social pressures and the electronics that feed them. 

When you travel, your routine is whatever you want it to be. Plus, your kids have more downtime to explore, spark their imagination, and connect with their siblings and parents. When you don’t have to worry about homework or chores, your time is open to spending more time together.

Consider how travel can be stress relief not just for the parents, but kids too. Don’t overbook or over plan. Use the time to relax before you have to jump back into the hamster wheel when you return home.

☑️ Helps You Realize Your Priorities

Submitted by Christina Trotter from Destined Globe Trotter.

Several years ago, my husband and I took a one-year sabbatical from our jobs and traveled around the world to 23 different countries. Doing so helped me to prioritize what is important in life.

For that year, I was completely present and to this day, I can look at our photos and tell you what we did that day. One of my priorities that changed includes my mindset around money.

Once, while staying at a hostel near Torres del Paine in Chile, I met a man named Marcello who worked at the hostel. I asked him how long he thought he would be there. He told me that he would be there until he earned a watch that he had wanted for a long time. He was not being paid money but in a watch.

It seemed insignificant, but at that moment, I realized that the American mindset of just earning more money was not what I wanted to do. Earning enough money to do what I wanted to do – now and in the future – would be my priority. Without specific goals, earning more didn’t make sense to me.

When I returned to the US, I worked for a short time and then left my job after having my daughter. It took me time to re-enter the workforce because I knew the value of my time and what I was working for and what that was worth to me.

☑️ Travel Can Make You Realize How Small You Are

Submitted by Josh Band from A Backpacker’s World

Traveling is important because there is a whole world out there. Nearly 200 countries to explore with endless things to see and do. It would be a shame to live a life only seeing the country you live in.

The world is huge, everyone is just a small part of the globe and together, everyone makes up the world as we know it. Whether it’s the Colosseum in Rome, Iguazu Falls in Brazil, or even a local park in your neighboring country, there are so many things out there just waiting for you. And many of these amazing places will make you feel tiny in the grand scheme of things.

Whether you spend one day in a city, a month in a country, or a full year backpacking Southeast Asia, everyone should try their best to get out there and see the world. There is something incredibly humbling to witnessing the magnitude of this planet and realizing you are just a small piece of it.

If you think about it deeply, it can get scary thinking about how little a single person is in the grand scheme of things, but take that fear and turn it into a passion to see the world. It’s out there for you to see, what are you waiting for?

Travel truly has endless possibilities, opportunities, and experiences. Book that hotel. Get on that flight. And see the world. 

☑️ Travel Leads to Reflection and Inspiration

Submitted by Sierra Wilbar from Your Guide to Wandering

Travel allows voyagers to experience landscapes found nowhere else on the planet. Experiencing first-hand foreign landscapes with historic meaning or natural beauty allow travelers to better understand events from the past, the environment, and the importance of preserving these places. 

With such varying landscapes on our planet Earth, every day is a new adventure.  Take a trip back in time to see dinosaur fossils in southern Utah, or bike along centuries-old sand dunes formed by water and air along the Atlantic.  These experiences are invaluable, and they teach travelers more than any book or classroom could. 

These unique landscapes also inspire our creativity and curiosity. They lead us to reflect on how and why things happen and ask ourselves many different questions.

How were humans able to build the Great Pyramids thousands of years ago with the most primitive of tools? How were the caverns in the South of France formed over millions of years by the forces of wind and water?

In many ways, travel is a source of inspiration that encourages society to continue exploring. It almost forces humans to grow and self-reflect with the ability to see outside their own communities and by discovering new landscapes. Travel is such a privilege but it’s an important tool for self-growth, wonder, and reflection. 

☑️ To Experience Famous Pieces of Art in Person

Submitted by Lisa Garrett from Waves and Cobblestones

One of the top reasons why travel is important is that it allows you to have in-person experiences and interactions.  And this includes being able to see world-class art up close.

Certainly, you can admire art in a book or on a computer screen, but there is nothing like seeing the world’s masterpieces in person. 

Get an up-close look at statues and notice the intricate details perfectly captured in stone – the texture of a patterned cloak, the leaves of a tree, the curve of a smile.   Plus, you can view the statue from many angles to fully appreciate the artistry (and maybe even notice a hidden detail).

Even the way that art is presented can enhance the viewing experience – or is part of what makes it unique.  Michelangelo’s The Creation of Adam is even more impressive since it is painted on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.

No matter what city you choose to visit, you’re sure to find a museum filled with incredible works of art.  Some people even plan their trips based on checking famous museums off their bucket lists!

☑️Travel Helps with Conservation Efforts

Submitted by Jessica Schmit

Travel can be seen by some as a luxury, but, no matter how big or small the trip, everyone should have a little bit of travel in their life. 

If we only see the same people, places, and things all the time, it’s challenging to appreciate how big and beautiful this world is. By introducing a variety of places, people, and experiences into your life, whether you’re road-tripping through charming Oregon Coast towns or trekking through the hilltop villages of Nepal, you’ll have a greater appreciation of each other and for our planet.

Experiencing the world, through a bowl of pho as you sit on a tiny plastic stool on the streets of Hanoi or seeing unbelievable animals in the Serengeti, will help you see the world with a better perspective of how truly connected we all are. 

This appreciation has innumerable benefits—you’ll care more about protecting wild and beautiful places on this planet, you’ll have more empathy for those around you and gratitude for what you have in life, and will crave experiencing more of our world.

So, no matter what your budget is or how many vacation days you have, try to explore the world in any way you can. You—and the world—will be better for it.

☑️ Travel Helps Give You a First-Hand Learning Experience

Submitted by Faith Beyer Hansen

Travel is an important learning tool for people of all ages, but it is especially impactful for teens. Meaningful travel brings the textbook alive for young people. Research shows that young people who travel develop stronger critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills. 

We have traveled to over 24 countries with our son and have definitely seen the importance of travel in his learning. When he was in 5th grade, he spent a few days learning about Machu Picchu but still had many more questions. So we researched, planned, and traveled to Peru so he could visit the UNESCO site and learn for himself. 

More recently, we traveled to Chile. Next year, his history class will study the devastating effects of the Pinochet dictatorship. And yet, he has already stood in front of the presidential palace and learned from a local who narrated the evidence of the 1973 bombing of the site.

When we toured the Museum of Memory and Human Rights, he could see the artwork of children who saw family members taken and murdered. These are the moments that changed him, and us. 

Of course, the way you travel makes a difference. While staying in an all-inclusive resort has benefits for relaxation, it may not teach your children about local culture, history, or customs.

Instead, whenever possible take local walking tours, visit museums, and take cooking classes. Above all else, use travel to ask the important questions that only travel can pose.  

Travel Can Give You Something to Live For

Submitted by Alec Sills-Trausch from Alec Sills-Trausch Photography

In normal times, traveling has incredible benefits from meeting new people, experiencing cultures you wouldn’t have, and having a stress-free environment. 

But a trip can mean even more for those battling illnesses or fighting through trying times. It can give you something to live for. It’s a motivating factor that acts as a light at the end of a dark tunnel.

As a two-time cancer survivor before the age of 31, I’ve always planned a celebratory trip after treatment to make up for all the crappy months before. For one, it gives me something got to concentrate on, as I love planning excursions.

Furthermore, it helps keep optimism and hope strong, which are some of the strongest forces known to humankind. If you believe you will get better and there’s still a future, your recovery will improve. (While also following the doctor’s guidance.)

Whether you’re completely healthy or fighting a stupid disease, keep booking trips and allowing yourself to have something exciting to think about in the months and years ahead! You’ll be better for it!

Why Accessible Travel is Important

Up till now, we’ve talked about traveling in general. However, since I’m a wheelchair-accessible travel blogger, I think it’s essential to also highlight the importance of accessible travel.

By now you’ve probably realized how travel can be a life-changing experience, and if we only allow able-bodied people to participate then it seems pretty discriminatory. Accessible travel is important because it allows people with disabilities to have the same incredible experiences as everyone else.

Did you know that it is estimated that 25% of the world’s population has some form of disability? If accessible travel didn’t exist, that would mean 1/4 of the world would miss out on the benefits of travel. That just doesn’t seem fair. These numbers also do not include people who may not be classified as disabled but nonetheless have mobility problems due to age or surgeries.

But, accessible travel is important for more than just an inclusive perspective. You see, when companies and destinations work towards providing accessible travel services, the people who live in these areas benefit as well.

When there is access to accessible public transportation, places to stay, and things to do it of course encourages tourism, but it also makes the lives better for residents of these destinations (who may otherwise be stuck at home). As a result, accessible travel improves the quality of life for many different people.

Even if you are not a person with a disability, you can still be an advocate and ally for making the world a more inclusive place.

* Show your support for legislation that promotes accessibility.

* Let companies know that offering accessible services this something that is important to you.

* Donate to nonprofits such as All Wheels Up that is working to advocate for more accessible travel opportunities.

Life-Changing Travel Experiences

Earlier in the post, we discussed the benefits of travel as well as how traveling the world affects life and personality. It’s very clear that travel is a formative and life-changing experience. However, I thought it would be helpful and entertaining to hear first-hand stories from others on how travel impacted their lives.

Below are a few samples of the many submissions I received as well as my own personal story.

Travel Helped Me Find My Self Worth

submitted by Fiona from Following Fiona.

In my early 20s, I struggled with self-esteem and self-image. My final year at university was emotionally challenging, and I started comparing myself to my friends, all of whom seemed to be far more interesting and talented than me. In my mind, I just seemed…bland. I found it difficult to understand why they would choose to be friends with me rather than other people.

With no plans for after graduation, I chose to take a year out and made the decision to move to New Zealand on my own. That year profoundly changed me and how I view myself. I created a life for myself there, explored the country, and discovered how much more there was to me than I had thought.

One of the most impactful experiences I had was skydiving. I spent a lot of time talking myself into and back out of the plan. Fear and doubt told me it was a stupid thing to do, but curiosity and the desire to challenge myself convinced me to hand over my credit card and sign a waiver. Curiosity turned out to be right. It is quite simply one of the best things I have ever done.

Sitting in a plane at 15,000ft and watching them open the door goes against all my self-preservation instincts, but it was so worth it. Falling through the sky, above mountains and lakes, is like nothing else in the world.

Terrifying? Yes. Spectacular? Beyond all belief. It’s still one of my proudest moments – to be able to say that I overcame the fear and discovered what it feels like to fly. The pre-New Zealand me would never have been brave enough to do it.

The change in me happened slowly enough that I didn’t notice it at the time, but by the end of the year, I could see how different I was. I stopped comparing myself to others and just looked back at what I’d achieved. The voice in my head telling me I couldn’t cope on my own faded away in the face of evidence that I could.

My need for other people to validate my decisions decreased as I reflected on where believing in my own choices had brought me – to the other side of the planet, where I learned how to enjoy being me.

New Zealand taught me that I am adventurous, independent, self-sufficient, and no longer afraid of being a convenient friend rather than a chosen friend. And by the time I returned to the UK, I understood much more about what I had to offer; that I have value.

How Traveling Helped Me Heal

Submitted by Lara Hartog from The Best Travel Gifts

I remember it as if it was yesterday, the day I broke my back in Guatemala. Though this was certainly a life-changing experience in my life, it’s not the one I want to talk about today (and it’s definitely not one I would recommend). 

After my surgery in Guatemala, I slowly recovered, but I never got back to the active and sporty person I was before. I got scared of physical challenges and didn’t trust my body to be able to handle them. But when I stood on top of the highest mountain in Western Europe; Mont Blanc, that all changed. And that’s a feeling I hope everyone will get to experience at least once in their lives. 

When my physiotherapist asked me about my goals in terms of my back recovery, I said I wanted to be able to hike with a backpack without pain. So to stand at 4,809 meters, looking over France, Switzerland, and Italy just four years after breaking my back, is a moment I’ll never forget.

Climbing Mont Blanc does not come without risks, there are crevasses, avalanches, and ice and rock falls. Especially the latter at The Grand Couloir has made Mont Blanc one of the deadliest mountains in Europe. And besides the risks, it’s also a challenging climb that requires a mental and physical commitment.

But I enjoyed every second of it.

Now, I may have been incredibly lucky with our amazing guides, one of my best friends who climbed with me, and the best possible weather you could have (honestly, it’s like the universe wanted us to have this once-in-a-lifetime experience). But after Mont Blanc, I knew I could do anything. I regained trust in the strengths and capabilities own body and mind, and that was the last bit of recovery I needed.

So if you ever need to feel on top of the world (literally), climbing Mont Blanc, or any mountain really, is an experience that will change your life. 

Travel Helped Me Find My Passion for Learning Languages

Submitted by Kristin from Tiny Footsteps Travel

Travel shaped me into a person that I wouldn’t have been without it. It has affected my life direction, the jobs I’ve pursued, and my values. It all started from the early life experience of boarding a plane for the first time at 12 years old and visiting family overseas, in Sweden. 

It was eye-opening for me at that age to see how people lived on the other side of the world. Visiting family in Sweden, as opposed to just sightseeing, gave me a chance to see how people lived in the Nordic countries and spoke a language different from mine.

I was so fascinated by the small things. All the products in the grocery store looked different, and of course, while Swedish people seemed similar to Canadians in many ways, they spoke Swedish.

This made me very interested, not only in travel and living abroad but in languages. After that trip to Sweden, I was desperate for more experiences similar to it.

The year after, when I was 13, I begged my grandparents to send me back to Sweden, and they did – I returned to Sweden the year after to stay with relatives I’d met the year before and pick up more of the language. 

A few years later, I pursued two different exchange programs – one in France, and one in Germany. I became fluent in French and learned conversational German. That turned into spending 6 months in Mexico as a university student to learn Spanish.

After graduating from university, I was living abroad again – one year as an ESL teacher in South Korea, and another year as a backpacker in Australia, where I mostly held fruit picking jobs.

Now as a mom of two children, I blog about traveling with young kids. Looking back, that trip to Sweden when I was 12 is what shaped my interest and passion for discovering other cultures and learning different languages.

We enjoy living near Toronto, the most multicultural city in the world but go abroad often to sightsee, discover and practice different languages. I enjoy giving my kids the experiences that shaped me so much when I was younger.

Reliving History Through My Grandma’s Eyes

Submitted by Diana Cal from Travels in Poland

Visiting Auschwitz with my 85-year-old grandmother, who witnessed the first train of people leave her hometown destined for the camp, was a profoundly life-changing travel experience.  The trip not only deepened my understanding of history but also transformed my perspective on my family and my experiences in Poland.

Stepping foot on the grounds of Auschwitz, I was overwhelmed by the weight of history and the enormity of human suffering that had occurred there.  It was difficult to walk through the grounds and listen to the stories my grandmother told of what she had witnessed during the war.

The last time my grandmother had been at Auschwitz was right after the war when she was a young teenager. It was an emotional journey, watching her as she returned to the place she had not visited since the end of the war.

It was a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit. Her stories became a living testament to the importance of remembrance and bearing witness to history.

This experience ignited a deep passion within me for travel and exploration. It made me realize the incredible power of firsthand experiences and cultural immersion.

Travel became not just a leisurely pursuit but a transformative tool for personal growth and understanding. It pushed me to step out of my comfort zone, engage with diverse cultures, and embrace new perspectives.

Moreover, visiting Auschwitz highlighted the importance of empathy and compassion.  There is a strong sense of social responsibility and a commitment to gain from experiencing places that serve as a reminder of atrocities that once occurred. Traveling to this place, like many others, only helps to broaden horizons, and deepen our empathy and understanding of the world.

Travel Gave Me Purpose Again

Submitted by Kristin from World on Wheels Blog

I was born with a rare form of Muscular Dystrophy which in my case is a slowly progressive disease that affects my mobility, balance, strength, endurance, and breathing (I use a ventilator full-time). While I had better mobility when I was younger, it has always been something I’ve struggled with.

One of the ways I gave meaning to my disability was to use it to help others. This lead me to my initial career path of becoming a licensed mental health counselor. I figured that I had learned to cope with difficult situations and adversity so I could be a good resource to help others.

I loved my job. I worked hard but it felt good knowing that I was making a difference. I was able to connect with others when they were at some of the lowest moments of their lives and help them through it.

Little did I know that I was about to have my own life-changing challenges. I got sick with pneumonia and had a collapsed lung. I was hospitalized and fighting for my life as my respiratory muscles were weak and had a hard time fighting off the illness.

Unfortunately, during this time I lost a lot of strength and struggled to do things that I once could. It was also during this time that I had to go onto the ventilator full-time.

While my health has now stabilized, my doctor informed me that she did not want me to return to work for a variety of reasons. I was devastated.

I felt lost and not sure what to do. I coped with many things by knowing that I could use my disability to help others and make a difference. Now, the way in which I found to do that was gone.

After some time to grieve, I decided that it was time for me to start finding meaning and purpose again. So, I inventoried my skills and interests to see where I could make an impact in this world. And that’s when I decided to combine my desire to help others with my love of travel.

My goals are to provide more wheelchair-accessible travel information and resources, along with helping people travel to their dream destinations and advocate for more accessible travel opportunities.

While life has surely been a bumpy road (as it is for many people) and dealt me some challenges, I look to find ways to give life meaning. Travel has always been a passion of mine, but now it has also helped me find a renewed energy and purpose as well and that has been a life-changing experience.

Final Thoughts on How Traveling the World Affects Life and Personality

In case you were ever on the fence about the importance of traveling I hope that this post has reminded you of its many positive benefits; both for life in general and how traveling the world affects life and personality. Additionally, I hope you’ve enjoyed reading some of the stories that were shared about life-changing travel experiences. Who knows, maybe this post has even encouraged you to start planning your next trip!