Something Learned Through Travel

Week three’s topic: Indie Travel: Have you ever studied or taken classes on a trip? What did you study, and perhaps more importantly, what did you learn while on that trip? What would you like to learn on your travels this year?

I try to think back, and recall a time when I took classes or lessons during a trip. And curiously enough, I don’t think I ever did. But that’s not to say that I’ve not learned anything during my travels. In fact, I think most of life’s lessons have been learned through travelling.

I’ve learned to conquer my fears, stand up for myself, but the one most important thing I learned is appreciation. The capacity to appreciate persons from another culture, race or religion, through interaction during my travels. Here in Singapore, we have a bevy of foreign nationals, out to make a living in a distant land. We have salespeople from the Philippines, construction workers from China, cleaners from Bangladesh, maids from Indonesia and Sri Lanka. They go about their own business, some more quietly than others (those not in front-desk services obviously). Many of us here in Singapore take little notice of them. In the past year, I have been to each one of the abovementioned countries, as a guest, instead of the usual guise as a resident of the host country. And in my travels, I have had the opportunity to have meaningful conversations, partake of their hospitality and be humbled by the way some of them live their lives. Now, when I see the Bangladeshi cleaner in my office building, I strike up a conversation and learn that he was from Rajshahi; he has a degree but can earn more as a cleaner here in Singapore than back home.

“Seeking knowledge is essential, and what better way than traveling. The experience makes for a better human being, and the best thing about it is that it stays with you for life.”

In my travels this year, I have set a target to learn conversational Chinese, Arabic, and possibly Russian. Additionally, I would want to pick up a small portable musical instrument along the way and be somewhat proficient with it. And finally, I hope to learn the rich culture and history of the countries I travel to, and be able to share them with loved ones back home.