The benefits of traveling abroad 

With summer coming up, especially with the break in weather, many are eager to pack their bags to leave Hinsdale in their rearview mirror, but the bag should also include a passport. 

While Mexico is a favorite destination, exploring other countries to learn of their culture is just as important as relaxing. 

If traveling to Florida, California, or Arizona, students risk remaining in a bubble similar to that of Hinsdale. 

The ‘Hinsdale bubble’ is a term coined to explain how Central students are often so preoccupied with what is happening within Hinsdale that they often forget to take in a broader perspective.

There are so many benefits that come from going abroad and immersing yourself within a whole new culture.

First of all, it’s great for your health: mental and physical. Being away from the stress of school and getting the chance to explore somewhere new is definitely going to help alleviate stress. It also helps people become more creative, according to Adam Galinsky, a professor at Columbia, expanding your brain and in turn making those who travel, happier people, but there are also physical health benefits. According to the U.S Travel Association men and women who travel annually have a 20-30 percent lower chance of having a heart attack.

Secondly, traveling exposes you to new cultures and people, expanding your view and perspective on the world. There is also plenty of opportunities to try new things and push yourself out of your comfort zone. 

Finally, traveling helps make connections. Traveling provides the opportunity to meet new people from all over the world that you would never encounter if you had decided to stay within the Hinsdale bubble. It is also possible to make a connection to the curriculum learned at school. Learning about Louis XVI is one thing, but standing in his bedroom in Versailles is an entirely different experience.

Travel is not cheap, it’s simple to say that students should get out there and travel abroad, but nowadays, there are so many ways to get around the sky high prices of international travel. There are dozens  of safe and reliable websites that provide discounted tickets and hotels for those willing to get out and see the world.

The first time visiting a country completely foreign to what you’re used to can seem frightening, but the positives far outweigh the negatives. So, take a chance to break out of the bubble and make your next vacation one that’s abroad.