The Transformative Power of Travel: Why Seeing the World Changes You
I always knew I wanted to travel. As a kid, I dreamed about seeing the world and chasing new adventures, even though I wasn’t raised that way. I grew up sheltered, and the idea of traveling solo after high school was definitely frowned upon. I won’t go into all the details, but let’s just say I had the kind of strict home life that didn’t exactly encourage independence as a young woman. If you had asked friends at the time, who would be most likely to summit Kilimanjaro, I doubt my name would have ever crossed anyones mind.
Even so, my upbringing never dampened my adventurous spirit. What it did affect was my confidence. It definitely took a while for that to catch up. Over the years, with every tiny adventurous baby step I took, my perspective shifted and I grew a little more into myself. I credit adventure and travel for shaping who I am today: someone more empathetic, understanding, and confident. Travel, for me, has always been more than just checking off destinations or capturing the perfect Instagram shot. It has been a force that changed the way I see the world… and myself. And honestly, that’s something I think we’re all in desperate need of these days.
Travel Made Me More Empathetic
I can still remember being welcomed into someone’s home halfway around the world, watching kids play in the streets of a tiny village, or swapping stories with a stranger on a long bus ride. These seemingly small moments have been the ones that connected me most deeply to humanity. Travel put faces and names to cultures I had only read about, turning “strangers” into friends. It showed me that while our backgrounds may differ, our emotions, hopes, and dreams are often the same.
It Builds Tolerance and Understanding
One of my most humbling lessons came in Sri Lanka when I broke my foot and had to depend on the kindness of strangers. It wasn’t how I planned to immerse myself in a new culture, but it showed me that, at their core, people are kind and want to help. That experience shifted the way I move through the world.
I’ll be honest—sometimes immersing myself in another culture has felt overwhelming. It’s not always comfortable, but those moments pushed me to reflect in ways I never would have back home. Whether it was slowing down in a rural village or learning to navigate the chaos of a bustling city, I came to appreciate that there isn’t one “right” way to live. The tolerance and understanding I’ve gained while traveling didn’t vanish when I returned home—they became part of the lens through which I now see the world.
Travel Boosts Confidence
Travel hasn’t always been smooth sailing. I’ve dealt with flight delays, language barriers, cultural misunderstandings, and transportation that seemed impossible to figure out. Each challenge forced me to problem-solve and adapt quickly. And each time I came out the other side, I proved to myself that I was capable and resourceful. Those wins, big and small, built my confidence and spilled over into every part of my life: my work, my relationships, and even my personal goals.
It Expands Creativity
Travel has been like fuel for my creativity. The colors of Indian textiles when I commissioned a handmade jacket. The live music I stumbled across in a bar in Costa Rica. The ancient stone walls of Croatia, the cooking class in Mexico, the art gallery in Tanzania, the windswept cliffs of the Faroe Islands. Every one of these experiences has lit up my imagination and reminded me of how much inspiration the world has to offer when I stay curious.
Why the World Needs More Travelers
What travel has taught me above all else is this: in a world that feels more divided than ever, we need connection. We need reminders of our shared humanity. Travel has made me a better listener, a braver explorer, and a more compassionate neighbor, both at home and abroad. The more I’ve ventured out into the world, the more I’ve realized it isn’t as big or as divided as it sometimes seems. On the surface, our differences may feel huge, but deep down, we’re all much more alike than we realize.
At the end of the day though, all of this requires that you at least start your adventure with an open heart and mind. Do it scared, do it nervous and do it with passion. This is your sign to apply for that passport, book that ticket, try that new food, embrace the culture that you’re visiting.
Written by: Melissa Wright | Co-Owner Women Who Explore
Melissa resides in Arizona and works full time for Women Who Explore. When she’s not hosting trips around the world, you can find her hiking, mountain biking, backpacking or climbing. Many an hour is spent behind the computer screen working, but as soon as that laptop closes she’s outside.
She’s passionate believer that adventure and travel changes lives. She did not embrace her adventurous side until her 30s, but hasn’t looked back since. Life is meant to be lived to the fullest and she doesn’t plan on missing out.
