Why do we travel the world?

Why travel the world? With a full 15 years of on-and-off travel and visits to around 90 countries under our belt, it’s safe to say that we know how to live a life of travel. While not everyone might choose this route, the rise of remote work, shorter work weeks, freelancing, and homeschooling has opened the world up to continuous travel. This lifestyle isn’t just about being on the move; it’s about finding new ways to understand ourselves and the world around us.

Even though we sometimes crave routine and prefer to stay longer in places where we feel more comfortable, we believe that travel is the best way to live life. In this post, we share the biggest reasons why, along with some of the best tools and strategies that make this lifestyle manageable. And speaking of the best tools, we’ll also talk about SafetyWing, our go-to travel medical insurance, who just launched their Nomad Insurance 2.0 featuring their 5-minute claim process!

Reason no. 1: There’s no better way to learn about the world.

Traveling is an open-ended learning experience, where every street corner and new face offers lessons in geography, history, and sociology that you just can’t get from books. Engaging directly with various environments enhances our understanding and retention of knowledge. For instance, visiting the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu brought to life lessons about the Inca civilization that no textbook could match. Services like SafetyWing ensure that we can make these educational trips without worry, allowing us to book insurance easily even at the last minute which helps us keep our focus on these learning opportunities. One plus was that Machu Picchu is actually considered an adventure travel, especially with the elevation in Cusco of 3000 meters (town where Machu Picchu is), so SafetyWing as our travel medical insurance came in handy with their inclusion of travel adventures in their plan.

Also, for July 2024, SafetyWing launched their Nomad Insurance 2.0. In this update, SafetyWing streamlines the claims process of their travel medical insurance to help us travelers get the help we need fast. It now takes just 5 minutes for the claims to get started.

You will just need to go to the SafetyWing claims process page, describe your issue, upload your medical documents, and the claims process can get started in a few minutes. There’s no more waiting time until someone else starts the process for you.

Learn more about SafetyWing’s Nomad Insurance 2.0 process here.

Reason no. 2: It helps you think about people outside yourself.

Meeting people from diverse cultures and backgrounds challenges our perspectives and broadens our understanding of the world. For example, during a stay in a small village in India, we learned from locals how to value community over individual gain. By stepping into lives vastly different from our own, we gain empathy and a broader perspective.

Reason no. 3: It expands your soft skills.

Travel forces you to navigate unexpected situations, improving your ability to communicate across language barriers and adapt to new environments quickly. Dealing with everything from bargaining at local markets to handling a medical emergency teaches resilience and flexibility.

This is where SafetyWing’s straightforward policies remove much of the stress in these situations, supporting our skill development by handling the complexities of travel insurance with ease.

The ability to book SafetyWing any time and it’s price of just about $2 USD a day really makes it easier to stay with them. See how much it will cost you to plan your trip with Safetywing here.

Reason no. 4: It helps you discover more about yourself.

Every new place presents challenges that test and reveal our character. Whether it’s solo travel or traveling as a family, each journey brings self-discovery and personal evolution. We personally believe that travel had a ton of influence with the type of people who we are today.

Reason no. 5: You get exposed to new ideals and ways of living.

Seeing the world introduces us to new ideas and lifestyles, from tiny Tokyo apartments’ architectural minimalism to Scandinavian co-housing’s communal ethos. These architectural insights offer a window into how physical spaces can shape community interactions and individual mindsets. However, discovering new ways of living extends far beyond the physical environments to the cultural practices that fill them.

Every culture offers unique rituals, traditions, and social norms that enrich our understanding of human interaction and societal organization. In Japan, for example, the practice of omotenashi, or deep-rooted hospitality, informs every interaction, teaching us the art of caring for guests without expectation of reward. This contrasts vividly with the vibrant communal festivities of Latin America, where social life is celebrated openly and colorfully, showing us a world where joy and community are intertwined in public life.

Moreover, engaging with different cultural practices such as these not only challenges our assumptions but also inspires changes in our own lives. It can influence everything from the way we interact with our neighbors to how we approach problems at work. By embracing these varied cultural ideals, we gain a more comprehensive appreciation of what it means to live meaningfully.

The richness of these cultural exchanges enhances our travel experience, making each destination not just a place to visit, but a space to learn and grow.

Reason no. 6: You get to experience life in other people’s shoes.

Nothing builds understanding and appreciation for another culture like participating in its daily rhythms. Whether it’s joining a bustling morning market in Vietnam, experiencing a traditional tea ceremony in Japan, or helping with a community farm in Tuscany, these immersive experiences allow us to see the world through local eyes. This deep dive into the everyday lives of others teaches us empathy and gives us a profound respect for the diversity of human life.

Reason no. 7: You learn to either appreciate more what you have in life or to make a change.

Travel often puts our own lives into perspective—showing us both what we have and what we lack. This reflection can be profound and life-changing. Whether it’s witnessing the resourcefulness of communities with limited resources or experiencing the serene lifestyles of remote cultures, these contrasts can prompt us to reevaluate our own values and lifestyle choices, often leading to significant personal growth and changes.

Reason no. 8: Travel is more practical than just theories from school.

Real-world learning through travel often sticks with us far longer than classroom lessons. Whether it’s walking through the historic ruins of Athens, participating in an environmental conservation project in the Amazon, or observing a live parliamentary session in London, these experiences provide a dynamic form of education. They bring history, science, and politics to life in ways that books and lectures simply cannot match, enhancing our knowledge and understanding of the world.

Reason no. 9: It’s actually less expensive than regular life.

Contrary to popular belief, traveling can be more budget-friendly than a static lifestyle. With strategic planning, such as choosing cost-effective accommodations like hostels or home exchanges, eating local cuisine, and using public transport, the expenses often amount to less than daily living costs in many western cities. This affordability makes extended travel not just a possibility but a viable alternative to a conventional lifestyle, offering richer experiences for less expense.

The diversity of places, people, and experiences adds incredible richness to our lives, making every day an adventure. Leveraging tools like SafetyWing that ensure ease and safety while exploring, we can embrace this variety fully, making our lives not just varied but also deeply meaningful.

Reason no. 10: It gives your life more variety and it gives you more meaning.

The diversity of places, people, and experiences adds incredible richness to our lives, making every day an adventure. Leveraging tools like SafetyWing that ensure ease and safety while exploring, we can embrace this variety fully, making our lives not just varied but also deeply meaningful.

Conclusions

As we navigate through a world that is increasingly accommodating to the nomadic lifestyle, it’s clear that travel isn’t just an escape from the mundane but a profound journey towards understanding and growth. The past 15 years of traversing through roughly 90 countries have not only shaped our perceptions but have deeply ingrained in us the value of exploration. It’s through these journeys that we’ve encountered life’s richest lessons, learned to appreciate the vast tapestry of global culture, and found flexibility and resilience we never knew we had.

However, embracing a life filled with such diverse experiences comes with its own set of challenges. This is where tools like SafetyWing become indispensable. As we’ve navigated the complexities of international travel, having reliable travel insurance has allowed us to venture further and immerse ourselves more deeply into each culture and community we’ve encountered. It has offered us the peace of mind to tackle adventures head-on—whether we’re zip-lining in Costa Rica, navigating the bustling markets of Marrakech, or facing unexpected medical issues far from home.

The assurance of being covered by a service that’s as flexible and accommodating as our lifestyle means we can focus on the joys of discovery and education. We travel not just to see the world but to understand it, to live within it differently, and to allow our son to grow up with a genuine appreciation for the world’s diversity.

So, as we continue to write our story, one passport stamp at a time, we rely on SafetyWing not just as an insurance provider but as a partner in our journey. For those who dream of a life unbound by geography, our advice is simple: arm yourself with curiosity, a spirit of adventure, and a few indispensable tools that make the world more accessible. With these in hand, the globe is yours to explore, learn from, and cherish.