Shoot. Capture. Subject. Take. Trigger.
These words are starting to feel uncomfortable.
We used to love using them. They made us feel special. These words and others are the coded language we could speak, signaling to others ‘in the business’ that we belonged.
Yet, these words are inherently violent…
There is no such thing as impact travel.
The reality is – we ALWAYS make an impact when we travel. For better or worse, our physical presence in a new place disrupts the status quo. It may be a tiny ripple. It may be a tidal wave. It may be another drop into an already cascading waterfall. But, in every destination, things will be different because we showed up.
Instead of getting caught up in the latest travel buzz words ask yourself…
What KIND of impact do I want to make in this place?
As a traveler, when you take up the mantle of a citizen storyteller, you now have a purpose to frame all of your future journeys. You can experience destinations from the perspective of the people who live there, develop relationships with remarkable humans who live differently than you, and use your travels to contribute in a useful, meaningful way.
Becoming a citizen storyteller enables deeper connection with yourself, your community, the causes you care about and the world you live in.
Each time you embark upon learning-led travels you tap into the spirit of possibility. Arriving with the curiosity of a student-of-the-world opens you to having new experiences. You consider alternate points of view and are motivated to dig deeper into what you don’t understand.
Your academic days may be behind you, but don’t let that ever stop you from learning more. Mid-life (or even quarter-life) crises are a thing because humans get pretty uncomfortable when we realize we have become stagnant. Travel has long been a means for novel escape but it can also be an opportunity for regeneration. Even for adults, studying abroad makes for a meaningful travel experience that fuels personal growth. Get Unstuck There are periods in your life when you reach a plateau. You become disenchanted with adulting, you yearn for a change of scenery and an opportunity to grow. […]