We left high school, thinking it would be the start of the real world. Being adults and starting a new chapter may have felt huge, but honestly, it sometimes feels like we went from one bubble to another, and travel is an opportunity to grow and make our personal bubbles a little bigger.
People in their 20s have become very interested in traveling now because of the increase of possibilities now available. A survey from 2024 shows 66% of travelers stated they were more interested in travel following COVID-19 than they were prior, and younger generations had the largest interest in travel, primarily Generation Z. Travel is vital in our 20s, and especially as we grow older, our ability to travel will be limited the older we get. In your 20s before any mortgages or children are in the picture, it’s a chance to see the world, experience new things and travel without major responsibilities left behind.
Travel can be scary because it involves change, but this is all the more reason to do it. Going somewhere you may not fit in is a way to break down barriers and increase confidence. Seeing how other people live as you move away from the Athens bricks and small bars is eye-opening.
It allows people to see just how small they are in an immersive world. Travel is a way of learning and a way of developing our minds. TrillMag explains how traveling creates a way of broadening one's world view. It allows us to step into the shoes of others. This can leave us knowing so much more about how other cultures thrive, expanding our minds when we return home.
Self-discovery can also happen when traveling. Psychology Today discussed the idea that travel is a large part of social development in adolescence. Recently, I was able to visit London for the first time and experience my first journey abroad. On this trip, I found that I am much more capable than I had previously thought and was forced to break out of the norm I had grown accustomed to.
I navigated the underground train systems, found the apps to use for this and knew when to ask others for help. I problem-solved and didn’t allow myself to freak out as much as I was internally dying to. For most of my life, I had come to think I wasn’t “street-smart,” but I found I could do well traveling abroad for the first time and needed to have more faith in my skills. I would never have discovered this had I not taken the leap and booked a trip.
Psychology Today discussed the idea that traveling abroad and seeing new things alerts our brains and awakens a form of creativity. It is good to see there isn’t just one way of doing things. It also expanded on a study conducted by Columbia Business School, which showed “travel in other countries is creatively stimulating.”
In your 20s, you gain a new level of responsibility, and travel can be a way to practice this through planning and budgeting, as travel expenses are huge factors when deciding to book a trip. While you are young and full of energy, plan far in advance and begin building a budget and saving. Drive if the distance is manageable or book a very cheap plane ticket with the least number of perks.
There are many resources for finding lower-cost travel accommodations as well as advice to make traveling easier. Affordable travel and accommodations are essential logistics to consider when planning a journey, and there are ways to make them as cost-effective as possible.
Look for the resources provided to you in college. Traveling abroad for school is another option for including academics in the experience. There are many travel resources on Ohio University’s website, and it is also a good idea to look into potential opportunities for financial assistance. If you have the chance to study abroad, take it. You never know how much you will discover, learn and see.
Travel is important when entering into a new or even stable chapter of life. Going somewhere else means seeing and meeting new people and finding more things about yourself that might usually stay hidden at home. Travel in your 20s because it can make a difference in what you might see for yourself.
Kyra Dapore is a senior studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Want to talk more about it? Let Kyra know by emailing her at kd364521@ohio.edu.
