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Why You Should Quit Your Job and Travel around the World

chrisguillebeau.com

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Re: Why You Should Quit Your Job and Travel around the World

#2
Doesn't really say why, or does it?

I am not a big traveler, so I am probably wrong, but in a way, traveling seems kind of passive to me. Sure, you get to see lots of things, but seeing (and learning) is passive. How am I going to change the world doing that? I would need some kind of spin to it, like at least being a successful travel writer or something. Otherwise, what are the USEFUL experiences to make?

Would be great if some travelers could share what useful experiences they made?

Although one thing in the article made me think: I'd really like to visit Sillicon Valley, experiencing the culture there might actually be useful to me.

Re: Why You Should Quit Your Job and Travel around the World

#3
post #2

Doesn't really say why, or does it? I am not a big traveler, so I am probably wrong, but in a way, traveling seems kind of passive to me. Sure, you get to see lots of things, but seeing (and learning) is passive. How am I going to change the world doing that? I would need some kind of spin to it, like at least being a successful travel writer or something. Otherwise, what are the USEFUL experiences to make? Would be…

How am I going to change the world doing that?

By planting seeds that you have no other way of getting into your brain. You can reap the (currently unknown) harvest later.

Re: Why You Should Quit Your Job and Travel around the World

#4
“I don’t have money to travel.”

Fair enough if it’s true, but for many people who say this, it would be better to say, “I’ve chosen to spend money on a lot of other things, so now I don’t have money to travel.”

Shall we never forget the lovely Victorian ethic that the poor have only themselves to blame.

Re: Why You Should Quit Your Job and Travel around the World

#6
post #2

Doesn't really say why, or does it? I am not a big traveler, so I am probably wrong, but in a way, traveling seems kind of passive to me. Sure, you get to see lots of things, but seeing (and learning) is passive. How am I going to change the world doing that? I would need some kind of spin to it, like at least being a successful travel writer or something. Otherwise, what are the USEFUL experiences to make? Would be…

For US citizens, Peace Corps is one way to meet both of those goals. For people from other countries, there are similar organizations in many countries, and some that accept volunteers from almost anywhere (such as VSO and UN Volunteers).

Volunteers spend a long time in their host country, and really get to see things in depth (not just the tourist view).

Volunteers also get a chance to "change the world". Usually not in a particularly grand way, but a little education and inspiration can have a lot of ripple effects.

Of course, being based overseas, and having a fair amount of vacation time, volunteers also have opportunities to visit other interesting places and countries near their host sites.

Getting a reasonable living allowance and government-sponsored benefits sweetens the deal, but of course it doesn't offer nearly as much freedom as simply quitting your job and hopping on a plane.

Re: Why You Should Quit Your Job and Travel around the World

#7
post #6
post #2

Doesn't really say why, or does it? I am not a big traveler, so I am probably wrong, but in a way, traveling seems kind of passive to me. Sure, you get to see lots of things, but seeing (and learning) is passive. How am I going to change the world doing that? I would need some kind of spin to it, like at least being a successful travel writer or something. Otherwise, what are the USEFUL experiences to make? Would be…

For US citizens, Peace Corps is one way to meet both of those goals. For people from other countries, there are similar organizations in many countries, and some that accept volunteers from almost anywhere (such as VSO and UN Volunteers). Volunteers spend a long time in their host country, and really get to see things in depth (not just the tourist view). Volunteers also get a chance to "change the world". Usually no…

That is not traveling in my book, though - it is staying abroad. I have no problems with working in another country.

I certainly agree that it is worthwhile to experience another culture at least once. I am not so sure about more than once, though.

Re: Why You Should Quit Your Job and Travel around the World

#8
post #3
post #2

Doesn't really say why, or does it? I am not a big traveler, so I am probably wrong, but in a way, traveling seems kind of passive to me. Sure, you get to see lots of things, but seeing (and learning) is passive. How am I going to change the world doing that? I would need some kind of spin to it, like at least being a successful travel writer or something. Otherwise, what are the USEFUL experiences to make? Would be…

How am I going to change the world doing that? By planting seeds that you have no other way of getting into your brain. You can reap the (currently unknown) harvest later.

Not saying you are wrong, but could you give some examples? There are always zillions of options in life - to choose one, a little more than "currently unknown" would be nice?

Is traveling better than working on a startup?

Re: Why You Should Quit Your Job and Travel around the World

#9
post #5

The question is not about "Why" but about "How". How would I get the money to travel around the world exactly?

By prioritising it higher than any other non-essential cost you have. I know people who have saved up for 6 month round the world trips while working in various menial low paying jobs. The question is, like for most things, is how badly do you want it.

Of course it helps if you don't have a family to support.

Re: Why You Should Quit Your Job and Travel around the World

#10
post #5

The question is not about "Why" but about "How". How would I get the money to travel around the world exactly?

With an emphasis on : "how do I get money to travel if I'm not in the US visiting poor countries but I'm in a poor country and I want to travel"
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