My original plan for this project was to hold a lunch hour activity club for interested students with a willingness to learn and increase the opportunity for them to experience new sights and sounds early in their lives. My goal is to foster engagement between the students of Wetaskiwin and the Wetaskiwin Ashoro Friendship Society and provide them the chance in the future to visit the wonderful country that is Japan. There are so many cultural differences between North American countries and countries in Asia, as I have lived in Japan for a small period of 9 months, it is my belief that it not only opens our eyes to a broader world view, but it is also a confidence booster. I would encourage travelling at any age, but the earlier you can learn the lessons travel teaches the better.

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     When you are young you are still finding yourself and preparing for your school and career. The skills and experience you gain from travelling abroad can give you life long personal benefits as well as a leg up in the professional world. In high school and college you have the luxury of having flexibility since you can study anywhere in the world and have relatively long study breaks. It is a prime time to take advantage of your freedom and youth.

 

1. You’ll Get Out Of Your Comfort Zone

 

     As young people, most of us have a pretty established comfort zone. At home with mom and dad in a community that has known you for probably a good part of your life. You have your established friends, activities, hangouts and possibly jobs. We have become comfortable in these daily roles and the idea of breaking out of them can be scary and uncomfortable.

The problem is, you learn the most in uncomfortable, unfamiliar situations. In our daily routines, you know how to act and respond to people and your surroundings. Being in a new place, with different people, who hold different values and go about life differently (or not so differently, as you may find) strips away that familiarity.

     It can be scary, but once you figure out that you can connect with people despite differences, and you can navigate foreign environments, you become a smarter and more competent individual. Embrace the discomfort. Search for it, because it is always helping you grow.

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2. Travelling Builds Confidence

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     As you conquer the obstacles of figuring out how to use public transit in a foreign country, or asking for simple things in a grocery store, you are building the confidence and ability to adapt in foreign situations. I remember moving to Japan, a country where I spoke little to none of the language.

     When I returned home, my whole family was separated, and my parents in the middle of a divorce. I had the most awkward situation and I had to move. The prospect of that move from my comfortable home may have intimidated me before living abroad, but then I thought to myself, ‘Well, if I can do it abroad in a completely foreign system, I will be just fine in a place where I at least share the language.’

     You realize that you CAN do things, despite the obstacles, and suddenly the obstacles seem less obstructive and more like welcomed challenges.

 

3. You Will Develop Cultural Sensitivity

 

     Being culturally sensitive is key in our globalizing world. It is not enough to say “people from X country are like this.” It is important to look for underlying values that may explain a certain behavior in order to practice this type of sensitivity.

     Being aware of cultural values and norms is not only fascinating, but it can help us understand international issues and conflicts, or even relate to the cultural norms of a foreign business partner. It is an important skill to be able to shift perspectives and see where someone else is coming from. Cultural sensitivity will help you with communication on both business and personal levels.

 

4. You Can Adapt To Globalization

 

     Whether you like it or not, with the internet and social media, we are globalizing at a rapid rate. It is not unlikely that you would end up with a job that has you travel for business or take part in conference calls with international business partners. In our globalizing world it is important to be culturally sensitive, and it can’t hurt to know a foreign language.

     In the business world, having lived abroad can give you a competitive edge. Use the confidence and sensitivity that travelling helps you develop and it will help to make you successful.

 

5. Be Immersed In A Second (Or Third) Language

 

     Before I lived abroad I never truly understood the beauty of becoming fluent or even proficient in another language. In Canada we don’t need to know another language, but the options we have are limited. At least French being our second language at a Federal level, although it is not a mandatory class unless you attend school in Quebec. I will add that French Immersion is not a main choice for parents only familiar with one language themselves, and I have watched a kindergarten class dwindle over 7 years from a class size of 31 students to only 12 left by grade 7 in the same class.

     Once you travel abroad you realize that, especially in Europe, almost everyone you meet speaks at least two languages somewhat proficiently. We in Canada have a bit of a disadvantage.  Geographically we cannot country hop as easily as Europeans can, and our only neighbours speak English and Spanish.

     This is why travelling, especially for us, is even more important. I would argue that in the globalizing world it really can only benefit you to speak another language. Not to mention, it opens up a whole new world of people you can now connect with and understand that you never would have even gotten the chance to know, had you never learned that language.

     Living abroad is really the best way to learn a new language because you are forced to challenge and practice your skills on a daily basis.

 

6. Infinite Opportunities to Network

 

     I have studied abroad and made incredibly valuable connections. If you are interested in working internationally or even just having a couch to stay on in a country that you love, never underestimate the value of networking wherever you go.

     One thing I have learned in my time in Japan, is that people are generally very friendly and love to talk about their home and culture. This is not always the case, but more than often it is. Making friendships abroad can make this big world seem a lot smaller and it will help you to feel connected wherever you go.

     The best advice I can give is to meet as many people on your travels as you can! It will definitely make your time abroad more enjoyable since the locals know best. Plus you never know when these connections will come in handy in the future whether visiting each other for fun, or otherwise.