Comments on: What’s The Most Important Reason Americans Should Travel Overseas?

By: Anil P.

Anil P. — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 13:11:36 +0000

Which point?

By: Ashley

Ashley — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 22:01:34 +0000

Residents in other countries across the world are more likely to have passports for a simple reason: their countries are probably smaller than America. In Europe, alot of the time, travelling to another country is nothing more than a couple-hour long drive. America’s expanse is an entire continent, so yes, we’re alot less likely to travel to have passports.

Americans aren’t as cultured as they need to be, yes, but this point is faulty.

By: Anil P.

Anil P. — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 14:00:38 +0000

True, it doesn’t have to be about collecting passport stamps (although that why some people travel). But, regardless of how you travel, what do you think is the most important reason for an American to travel abroad – or is it important?

By: Kevin Post

Kevin Post — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:32:45 +0000

“I love how generalized people from the U.S. are! Man, they are so stupid for not traveling!” That way of thinking is incredibly ignorant. The United States of America is a massive country so I can understand the want to discover the incredible diversity that the U.S. has to offer. Sure, the U.S. has a common language but if you were to visit Maine, then New Mexico, then Kansas, then Arkansas, then Oregon, then Michigan you would say to yourself “Am I still in the same country?”

If people don’t want to travel abroad then who cares, it is none of my business how one wants to spend his or her life. It isn’t my job to say to people, “traveling abroad was a great experience for me so YOU should do the same!” Because they don’t think like me doesn’t make me better or less ignorant then they are.

A former co-worker of mine has only been to two countries outside of the U.S. – Perú and the U.K. and people gave him shit for only having two stamps in his passport. But this man completed what is known in the backpacking community (not “hostel hopping” community) the “Triple Crown” meaning he has hiked from the Mexican border into Canada twice via Continental Divide Trail, Pacific Crest Trail and the International Appalachian Trail (Georgia to Canada) taking him about four and a half months each to achieve. I guarantee that he has more travel experience then a European “hostel hopper” with a 95L backpack buried in a Lonely Planet guide book. I love those people that claim, for example, that they’ve been to 33 countries but when you ask them how much time they’ve spent in each country it is often only a few days to a few weeks in “backpacker” hostels. Sure, he or she has the stamps but only skimmed through the countries in order to say, “Look at me! Look which countries I’ve visited!”.

I used to have that state of mind while hitchhiking at the age of 19 from La Guajira, Colombia to Buenos Aires, Argentina (it took me 13 months to complete). I used to believe that those whom didn’t travel abroad were more ignorant than I was. But with time I had realized that I was ignorant for generalizing entire peoples and thinking that my lifestyle was for everyone.

Best of luck on all of your travels. Remember, the more stamps one has in his passport doesn’t necessarily signify more impressive experiences.

By: Anil P.

Anil P. — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 09:02:26 +0000

Travel can most certainly be done for much less than that. Still though, it doesn’t explain why most Americans don’t travel to other places that are less expensive – Costa Rica, Brazil, etc. Also, all of the misconceptions about Americans in Europe is a great reason for Americans to travel there. I think some Europeans may have negative attitudes about some aspects of American politics or culture but like Americans – especially after they meet some

By: Amanda

Amanda — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 23:47:14 +0000

Most Americans don’t travel because it is very expensive. Even a well-educated American making a middle-class income may not have the luxury of travel (like myself – how can I justify a $3000 Europe trip when I have $40000 in student debt?). But furthermore, why would I want to spend my hard-earned money in a continent (Europe) that largely considers Americans ignorant, lazy, and rude? If I do get together some travel money eventually, I will be spending it somewhere where people like Americans.

By: Anil P.

Anil P. — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 17:38:30 +0000

Excellent points, though I’d argue that even a short overseas trip can have profound yet unintended consequences for one’s perception. Unexpected things can and do happen that might lead you down another course – or a short trip can mean falling in love with a place to move to later…

By: MyDoorsAreOpen

MyDoorsAreOpen — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 17:03:48 +0000

I’m an American who’s been to 15 countries. But most of these were visited either on the way to, or whilst living in, Taiwan. If you want to be within range of other countries for travel, both price- and distance-wise, best move out of North America.

If I just want a quick, relaxing, shallow-ish vacation experience like a beach, a mountain hike, a quaint little village, or a big cosmopolitan city, why fly out of the US? I’m from the Northeast, and all of these things are a cheap and doable drive away.

I can only justify spending the time and money to get overseas if it’s for a deep cultural immersion, in which case I’m MOVING there temporarily. Honestly, I could see myself uprooting my family in the future, if the government of Kerblakistan is willing to give me a work visa and a license to practice medicine. I think if every American spent a year or two overseas, preferably as a child, America would be a better country.

Many people overestimate how rich Americans are. For the average American, a plane ticket overseas could easily cost several weeks’ salary. It took me 9 months of scrimping and saving before I had enough for my one way train trip across Eurasia to get to Taiwan.

By: Anil P.

Anil P. — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 19:37:17 +0000

People travel for different reasons and not everyone like every type of travel. There are many good reasons for Americans to travel – I could probably write about those or lead you to some good resources if you’re interested.

By: Anil P.

Anil P. — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 19:34:41 +0000

What about a 2 hour flight to Mexico for $200? Hah, I’m kidding. If you don’t want to go, you don’t have to. Nobody is forcing you to travel – although seeing a culture in California is nothing like and seeing where it developed (and why). If those things don’t interest you, stay at home.

As far as why I personally care that Americans travel – it’s good for America (as well as those who travel). There are many misconceptions in the world, more people actually meeting Americans could go a long way to changing those perceptions.