There is an interesting article that has been featured on the travel page at CNN recently. It is titled “Why more Americans don’t travel abroad.” In the article it cites that only 30% of Americans have a passport compared to 60% for Canada and 75% for Britain. In this post here are five reasons why Americans should travel abroad.
Thailand near the Myanmar border
CNN article: Why Americans do not travel
Five reasons why Americans should travel abroad
1. Show the rest of the world that Americans are good people
I would say that 80-90% of the world’s population is made up of decent human beings. Stating that Americans are good people is kind of redundant because most of the world’s population is the same; however, when Americans stay at home and do not travel then the rest of the world might forget this fact.
If we stay at home then the world will rely on the few Americans that do travel, media perceptions, or even worse from the policies of our government to form their opinions about us. Most of the Americans that do travel are good people also, so the first instance should not be a problem unless that person is a jerk. If they are a jerk then there are not enough other Americans traveling to help offset the few bad seeds.
2. Bring back a broader perspective
Rick Steves wrote a whole book about this called “Travel as a Political Act.” The more we travel outside of our country the more informed we are about the world and about different cultures. The lack of travel might be one reason why many are so apathetic when it comes to our political views. More Americans need to experience different cultures and experiences outside Florida, Las Vegas, and places like Acapulco in Mexico.
Buddhist Monks on top of Phnom Bakheng at Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Silly entertainment on a booze cruise in Nha Trang, Vietnam
3. Become more charitable
America is widely known as a very charitable nation. When disasters like a tsunami or an earthquake hit the world can always rely on the generosity of many Americans. If more Americans traveled overseas then that beneficial spirit would increase. Those that travel abroad see how lucky we are and would feel the need to be even more giving.
Reasons why Americans should travel abroad – Adorable children living along the Perfume River in Vietnam
When in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, the bartender told me she makes $14.00 USD a month. She closed the bar at around 10pm and probably got home around 11pm. When I was leaving the city and waiting for a bus I saw her arrive to work at 7am.  For those that think she probably makes double that with her tips think again. As I left I gave her a $1.00 tip. She picked it up and looked at it confusedly. I told her it was a tip. Her befuddled reaction indicated she was not used to tips.
Children looking for hand outs at the Killing Field memorial outside Phnom Penh, Cambodia
On my trip through Southeast Asia there were hundreds of examples of this kind of poverty. We have a lot of poverty in our own country. The great aspect about giving to causes outside our own country is it fosters goodwill and a little money goes a long way in countries like Cambodia and countries in Africa.
4. See that we are lucky to have what we have
Watching the demonstrations in Egypt I cannot help but think how lucky we are. They are demonstrating and risking their lives for rights that our country has had for hundreds of years. It is great to be American, but many take this fact for granted.
5. Gain confidence from the adventure
Traveling overseas is a grand adventure. Planning, executing, and having a great time overseas takes some courage, but it is not as difficult as one thinks. After the trip is over the adventurer becomes emboldened by the experience and wants more. This same feeling of confidence cannot be attained by driving to Florida or flying to Las Vegas.
Reasons why Americans should travel abroad – The Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand
These are just five good reasons for Americans to travel, but there are hundreds of other reasons why we or anyone should travel. Please feel free to name a few more in the comment section if you have a good one you would like to share.
Adventure on!
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One of the best posts you have written Ted. I agree with you 100% on this and you and I share the same heart and passion for travel. It doesn’t matter where people go or how different their interests are, just get out and see something different. There is a difference between going on vacation and traveling. Americans need to travel more. It will change their lives. I know it has mine.
Jeremy B recently posted..Travel Tuesday question of the week – what’s your most embarrassing travel moment
Great post! I share your feelings about this, which is why my husband and I are out traveling the world right now. We left California in Oct of 2009, sailed across the South Pacific, and are now in New Zealand. It’s amazing how different places and things can be, and yet how people can be so similar. The question is, what is the best way to inspire other Americans to travel? I think blogs like yours and ours help to raise awareness, but I think it’s also important to show people how doable it really is. We managed to work as crew on sailboats to reach places we’d never dreamed possible, and only had to pay for food. No airfare, no hotels, just volunteer labor. Anyone can do it, and there’s so much to see!
Thanks for reading Tiffany. I will have to check out your blog. It sounds interesting.
Ted Nelson recently posted..Five reasons why more Americans should travel abroad
“I would say that 80-90% of the world’s population is made up of decent human beings.” So true! I would put the percentage even higher.
All the reasons you listed are why I, and several other travel bloggers, set up the Get Your Passport page on Facebook. Travel really helps break down cultural barriers and misunderstandings — and you make new friends.
Great post, love it!
Katrina Stovold recently posted..Travel even a little- learn a whole lot
I am now a liked fan of Get your Passport. Thanks for stopping by and reading.
Ted Nelson recently posted..Five reasons why more Americans should travel abroad
Good points.
I have always been surprised by the low number of passports in the US, but it is important to note that we used to be able to travelto nearby countries – Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean without a passport. It’s still possible to do a loop cruise without a passport and many people take advantage of that, but I never recommend not having a passport even in that case. What would you do if you had to cut the cruise short and get back into the US from a foreign land?
Good photos.
Please do not give money to begging children. They do tug at your heart strings and tempt you, but they should be in school. Contributing to them starts them down the wrong path and future travelers will be accosted by the little beggars.
Tess recently posted..Queen Mary Cruise Ship QM2 Review
I agree about not giving money to children unless they are selling something. I would rather save my money and donate to an established charity for children than give directly to them. Same thing with homeless people in the U.S. If I give them money I am afraid they will fritter it away on something other than food, which is what they really need.
Ted Nelson recently posted..Five reasons why more Americans should travel abroad
Love the post and comments. Good points all around. It’s also true that there is so much to see and learn about in the U.S. I hope that people will be inspired to experience our own country at a deeper level while broadening their perspectives and spreading good will internationally.
Tess, your comment is right on about travel to Mexico and Canada, too. Many Americans who traveled there without a passport before now will need one. Once they’ve got that, maybe it will seem easier to make even more distant travel plans.
Hi Cathy,
Rick Steves actually offers free passports to Americans without one that book a tour through him. I think that is a great and clever promotion.
Ted Nelson recently posted..Five reasons why more Americans should travel abroad
Another great post, Ted! I hadn’t heard about the CNN article but will check it out. BTW, what is that guy up to with a coconut bra dancing on a ship? Was that Thailand?
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Hi Leslie,
That was actually in Nha Trang, Vietnam on a booze cruise.
Ted Nelson recently posted..Five reasons why more Americans should travel abroad
Great post! I travel a great deal and am always surprised at the reactions I get from some folks when I tell them where I have been. “why would you go there? Aren’t they poor there?” etc. It is so naive to think that the world looks like America. I mean – really – Jersey Shore and the Real Housewives?? I believe most folks are simply afraid of being out of their element. Those of us who aren’t know the wonders that exist in other countries. I have never had regrets from any of the places I have traveled. I typically come home wanting to get back on the road!!
Thanks for the comment Lisa. The lack of knowledge that many Americans have towards foreign countries is astonishing, but not surprising since many do not travel. I once had a girl tell me that all women in Southeast Asia were prostitutes. She said she heard about it from her mom who saw it on 20/20.
I tried to tell her that the sex trade is more in your face in Asia and out in the open, but that only a small portion of the female population were involved in it. I tried to tell her that most of Southeast Asia consisted of people just like you and me who just wanted to work and have a better life. It was like talking to a wall. She was convinced all females there were prostitutes.
Ted Nelson recently posted..Five reasons why more Americans should travel abroad
Great post Ted. If more Americans could grasp how blessed we truly are i think it would take care of a lot of the pettiness in our society.
Excellent justifications for travel abroad…good work
Cheers…
Charles Higgins recently posted..Top 15 blackjack books of all time
Although this article is directed towards Americans, the reasons one should travel are universal.
Ted Nelson recently posted..Super Bowl Sunday cross-country skiing at Moraine Hills State Park
I think you’re leaving out something really important: If it’s not fun, none of it is worth doing. And traveling IS fun. Yes, we can justify it in so many ways and make it sound important. But let’s be honest: When you step onto the jetway, are you truly thinking “I’m on my way to make the world a better place,” or are you thinking “oh, [Destination X] is gonna be sooo cool!”?
Excellent point. Sometimes the most obvious is the most overlooked.
Glad you liked your taste of the Utah pow-pow. Thanks for the networking tips. Here’s my own addition to your list: #6: more Americans should travel in order to experience cities for themselves, to build a mental slideshow of impressions to balance sensational or painful images broadcast on the news or printed in magazines.
Great list- another reason, to try new cuisines-even if it’s something you’ve had here in the US, it may be very different at the source. Eat like the locals when traveling.
santafetraveler recently posted..Photo of the week- Architectural Salvage- Little Italy- San Diego CA
I love this post Ted! Such very compelling reasons, and how lovely you tipped that lady in Cambodia. I bet she was wondering how she got almost 10% of her annual wages in one night. Travel is education…no question, and traveling abroad is so necessary to expand the mind and educate others.
Charu recently posted..The Best Sunsets in Aruba- Twilight &38 the Caribbean
Ted, #4 is an excellent point. Having lived in the 3rd world and now in America there is just a lot of things that we take for granted here. For example, I feel we so easily throw away a lot of things so we can buy more or have the latest model. Plus, quality of living is also a whole lot better on this side of the globe compared to let’s say where I was- Philippines.
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The problem with Americans and travelling abroad is that they CANNOT leave their comfort zone. They are really spoiled with choice on just about everything, guaranteed top notch customer service at any business, their air conditioned cars & homes, toilet seat covers in every public bathroom…etc. It’s difficult for them to leave that comfort. They never experienced a life without any of those things in the past 50 years or so, so they don’t know what it’s like. Most Americans don’t even know that people in other parts of the world live without the above perfectly fine. The thought of voluntarily opting out of daily modern American comforts on a 2 week holiday sounds more like a nightmare rather than a holiday, so they don’t bother.
Also another reason why I think Americans are afraid to leave their own country is the fear of inferiority. They hear horror stories of American tourists falling victim to Parisian snobbism, or getting mugged, ripped off, or led the wrong way. Sadly, they focus on someone else’s bad experiences and think, “Why bother visiting Paris when I can watch it on Discovery Channel?”
Lastly, travel is so expensive in the US. For the open-minded Americans that want to travel, it costs them a fortune. I’m sure getting only 2 weeks paid holiday per year doesn’t help much either. That’s why I moved out of the US 7 years ago.
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I don’t fit this mould, and most of my American friends don’t either. I don’t mean to generalise, but there are many reasons as to why only 30% of Americans own a passport.
Awesome that you’re going to Costa Rica soon! I’m off to Sicily tomorrow for 10 days of beach, sunshine, and a bit of diving 🙂
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Great post Ted, all of these points noted are so true. While I was abroad in New Zealand, it seemed as though everyone’s opinions if Americans differed drastically and was sometimes even downright offensive. I got asked by a German why Americans are so stupid and ignorant (which by the end of the conversation he changed his opinion). I got asked by a Korean girl if life in America was like the music videos, and a Canadian was downright surprised to see an American abroad. A lot of times people seemed to assume all Americans believe whatever their President thinks, whatever the media barfs up, and whatever celebrities are saying. It is hugely important for United States citizens to travel (since we aren’t the only “Americans”) to change this perspective, to break down out own border bubble, and expand our understanding of the world.
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I have nothing to say about this comment Ryan as you said everything so well yourself. When I was in Halong Bay an Australian dude said I had changed his perception of Americans (this was during the ugly Bush era when our reputation was at its international worst). I am sure you did the same for the German fellow you talked to.
I think #4 is the one that’s changed me the most. Americans have no idea how lucky they are to come from such a rich country! It feels like my friends back at home complain about the silliest things while I’m complaining about not having water for a shower. It really puts things into perspective, great post!
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Thanks Hannah,
Very true. I wish more people realized how lucky we have it.