4 Reasons I’m Glad I Traveled in My 20’s – Eighteen months after college, I quit my first “real job,” sold everything, and moved to South Africa.
Throughout the next four years, I was able to travel to over a dozen countries in Africa.
Fast forward to a few months ago, my husband and I sold everything we owned in South Africa and moved back to America to prepare for our next adventure.
Looking back, there are so many reasons I’m glad I traveled in my 20’s.
Reasons I’m glad I traveled in my 20’s
On track to visit 30 countries by my 30th birthday, I have made sacrifices to be able to explore the world.
Looking back, it has all been worth it.
Here are top reasons I am glad I traveled when I did.
Green Travel is Easier
Have you noticed that budget travel and green travel often go hand-in-hand?
Since the majority of my travel has involved a small budget, it usually is green too.
Public transportation is always more cost effective than renting a car, and camping is more economical than staying at hotels.
There are ways to green your hotel stay and you can even find a green hotel.
My husband and I just spent nearly three months traveling through Africa.
By camping in Africa, we were able to spend less than $700 on accommodations for the entire trip.
Not only is camping a great way to travel green, it also saved us money.
But budget travel can be more physically taxing.
Fifteen years from now, I am sure I will prefer a hotel room to a tent!
And yes, I’ll be sure to find a green hotel.
The Element of Risk
My favorite travel experiences are always unexpected, and involve adventure.
With the joys of having children and owning a home come increased responsibilities.
I am looking forward to both, but they will definitely change how I travel.
On a recent trip, we were invited to visit a friend in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
We had some major challenges trying to get a visa.
We eventually discovered the easiest way was by visiting a National Park.
By climbing an active volcano in the Virunga National Park, we were also able to also spend a few days visiting our friend and his family.
It was unexpected, off the beaten path, and one of my most memorable travel experiences to date.
While I am certain my passion for travel and exploration will not fade with age, I am sure I will be less likely to take some of the risks I am eager to take now.
Talk About Perspective
It is one thing to learn about other cultures from a textbook, it is quite another to experience them firsthand.
Travels have taken me off the beaten path, and I have met people that will continue to influence how I relate to the world around me.
While in Namibia last year we visited a Himba village.
In just a few hours we were able to learn more about the culture than we ever would have from reading a book or watching National Geographic.
Although other cultures have abandoned some of the tradition clothing and traditions, many Himba people continue to live like they have for the last several hundred years.
There are so many rich cultures in the world that we can learn from.
I’m thankful to have experienced many cultures in the world throughout my 20’s.
Now, I have the next several decades to apply all of the life lessons.
A Trip Down Memory Lane
In my early twenties, I traveled with my best friend.
After over a dozen years of friendship, many of our favorite memories are from times we were fumbling through Spain with our 10th grade Spanish and trying to navigate public transportation in Italy.
Now, my husband is my most frequent travel companion. In less than two years, we’ve traveled to over 15 countries together.
Whether we are laughing about my horrible French pronunciation in the Rwanda, or reminiscing about visiting castles in Scotland, I love having these memories with him.
What are some of your favorite travel memories from your 20’s and 30’s?
Why are you glad you have invested in travel?
There are so many reasons I’m glad I traveled in my 20’s.
A recent survey showed that more than 50% of people wished they would have saved more money for travel during their 20’s.
Even if you are decades older, travel is worth pursuing. National Geographic Book Review – 100 Countries, 5000 Ideas
Carolina says
Love this article, it’s right on! I have loved traveling in my 20s, think it’s worth every single penny. I also think it’s extremely important to be eco friendly when you travel, love that it tends to be the cost effective thing to do as well. Win, win!
Katie says
Good point! Especially when going green in other areas of life, like buying organic or locally sourced produce, is often more expensive.
rachel V says
Great article. Right out of college many of my friends purchased new cars, fancy gadgets and went out all the time. I chose to live simply and work to travel. I saved every penny and jumped at every opportunity given. I even quit my job and moved to Spain for 6 months, just because. To date I have traveled to 26 countries. Most of them were with a pack on my back a camera in my hand and my sister by my side. The memories we share, hiking the great wall of china, celebrating new years in many different countries, snorkeling the great barrier reef, skydiving in New Zealand, volcano sledding in Nicaragua and meeting so many interesting people in hostels. Now in my 30’s I’m married and don’t get to travel as much. But I have more amazing travel memories than some people have in a life time. I feel blessed and hope the adventures have only begun.
Katie says
Rachel, thanks for your comment–I love that you have made travel a priority, as well. You’re right, the memories are totally worth it! Snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef is definitely on my bucket list.