And if we have to be hones... I should admit I have always used the 'it will be useful for my education and future' excuse to my parents as a way to convince them to travel more (and it actually works pretty well). But truth is it really isn't a lie, not at all. Traveling the world as helped me insanely to learn new things, new cultures and new lifestyles. It is an endless source of learning, in fact. We could say, it is an interactive and fun way to absorb new concepts, a fresh and natural view and worldwide knowledge: little tales from everywhere.
So, despite I think you can learn from every subject while making your way around the world, I have compiled a little list of the 9 subjects traveling will make you better at:
So, despite I think you can learn from every subject while making your way around the world, I have compiled a little list of the 9 subjects traveling will make you better at:
1- English. Okay, I guess we could say this is a pretty obvious one. If English is not your mother tongue, and you are away from home, mastering this language will probably be your most useful language (unless, of course, you fluently speak all the other local languages in the world). Nowadays, English is the modern prestigious language. And you can't not go anywhere without speaking it. It is your key to meet the world.
3- Music. Going all around, listening to different kinds of music, dancing with the local people, following their beat.... Music is surely one of the things we most enjoy learning while traveling. Do you feel the vibe of every culture? Discover what they do. Sing along a Fado in Portugal or a drums song in South Africa. Or maybe you are more about a jazz club in New Orleans? Just listen to the locals and flow along singing and dancing. You will love it!
2- History. Oh, why do you have to be so long and convoluted? It started millions of years ago, and it keeps going and going on. But it can be extremely interesting. Why do we live like we do? Why do we work? Where does democracy come from? Why? Why? Why? And as someone wise once said: 'In order to improve your future, you must learn from your past'. Again, the best way to experience it, to get involved in the old times and recreate what happened is seeing it by yourself. Museums, assemblies, statues, buildings... a timeless source of thoughts an ideologies.
4- Languages. Buon giorno! Bon journée! Buenos dias! おはよう! Guten Tag! Добрый день! Isn't it beautiful? The big diversity of traditions and grammar and vocabulary which created hundreds of different languages, all with their own particularities and idioms and nonsense (which believe me, they like having a lot of it). Going away and dialoguing with locals is the best way to test out what you have learned in class. And besides, you will get to experience the culture's lifestyle and heritage. Such an amazing experience!
5- Geography. I sometimes play with my dad to guess the world's countries and their cities and regions. 'Where is Chefchaouen? - Oh, I have no idea! - It is in Northern Morocco - Will we go there someday? Please!' And of course, he is completely unbeatable. But he has traveled all around the world! Going to the places, discovering them, learning the local unpronounceable cities... this is what will make studying geography much easier and enjoyable than actually memorizing it all along. I promise.
6- Art. This is a non-negotiable fact. One thing is to study it at school, and another completely different is to see it in real life. You can appreciate all the lines, the lights, the darks, and what has been stolen by time. Wether it is architecture or paintings or sculpture or any other artistic manifestation, it is much better to see it by yourself. Fromm all around the world, you will see how art developed through history and people.
7- ICT. Because, you know it too, it makes the whole process much more painless and effortless. If you control the latest apps in traveling, the best internet offers and the smartest options to plan your trip trough the internet, then you will have no problem! And if you don't, don't worry we are never too old to learn about the new. What it is basic is to find your way to travel trouble-free without a care in the world (and internet will help you on that, have you though on buying the tickets online so you can skip that infinite queue? See, it is useful.)
8- Natural Science (Biology + Geology) Discover millions of exotic animals, curious crazy plants and really weird rocks! As any other subject, it is much better to experience things in real life rather than studying a low-quality photo. Observe the lion run and the wolf roar (Do they roar? Or what sound do they do? If you know please tell me!). Scratch that rock and see if it breaks. Walk across the volcano. Going on the adventure and seeing the natural world out there we are somehow missing out is a wonderful event.
How has traveling helped you? Share your thoughts!
9- Mathematics. I know, it sound crazy, but it is not. The better you know mathematics, the better you can control your budget (meaning the bigger your activity/shopping list can be). Money can be a hard issue while traveling, but it shouldn't. Find the best deals, those great offers out there are waiting for you! Don't miss them. You'll see how easy is to make everything fit inside your budget and schedule with some sums, subtractions, multiplication and divisions.
Sincerely,
Vera
Vera
You might also like: