This is a pretty good point, and outside of say Europe and the wealthier segments of the Asian population, I can't think of a region that I automatically think travels more.

Note that European travel, by distance, is remarkably similar to interstate travel in the US, too.

I've been out of the nation, the furthest was to Ukraine, where I was gloriously wasted with the other brilliant 17 year olds. Good trip, good times.

Travel is really a hobby for those with higher amounts of disposable income, which is unfortunate....

I highly recommend taking advantage of college programs (and parents' generosity!!LOL) such as an internship, Co-op, or, as my school had, a mandatory 2 week trip for those enrolled in the travel & tourism program, when you are an undergrad...You may not be afforded such opportunities again....The time and money will elude you once you start that first, low-paying, 40hr a week, year round job!

If you are able to travel often (even if it's just for business purposes), you are soooo lucky and I envy you!

I understand if there's a money issue -- but I think a lot of Americans never leave the U.S. because they don't think the rest of the world is worth visiting. I can't understand that viewpoint -- I was raised in a family where travelling was a way of life. My dad speaks Spanish (and a smattering of Italian, Greek, and French), was a poli sci major with a focus on the governments of various Spanish-speaking countries, spent several months post-graduation in Argentina, and had visited a bunch of other countries before he married my mom. I had been to Mexico before my third birthday (in fact, my earliest memories are from that vacation). We went to Canada when I was 8 or 9, Mexico again when I was 13, Spain when I was 14, Austria and Germany when I was 16, and we're on our way to Italy this summer (since I've turned 17 family vacations have become more and more difficult for me to handle, but I can't pass up a free trip to Italy). My dad travels every year -- he has been to Italy, Greece, France, and a ton of Latin American countries. My little sister's been to Italy with my dad and will be going on a trip to a bunch of European countries this spring. There are so many places I want to see before I die.

I don't think it's a money issue all the time. Less than 20% of Americans even own a passport, so I'm not sure 80% of us are too poor to travel...

In other countries like Australia and Canada, traveling is a very important step in life. I just took two months off to backpack by myself around Europe and it is definitely an experience unlike any other. You learn a lot about other cultures and people. Nothing can be more exciting than getting a taste of our planet.

Plus, it's kind of funny, but Americans that backpack or travel are treated very nicely abroad. Some are shocked to see us because they think we are all fat and too snobbish to come visit them :p

If you haven't left the country, let alone your own state, then I think you should consider planning a trip or two outside your conservative border. It's a marvelous adventure and you will have so many great stories and memories to fill your head.


RUgreek

I hear you both re: people's attitudes towards other nations. I really feel sorry for people who don't want to leave behind what they think of as "comforts" of the USA....The world is an amazing place...

I wonder if the process for applying for a passport could be a deterrent at all? I know it was a bit daunting and frustrating when I applied (first, finding a location, and then finding one that could take my application at X time)...The cost associated with it is nothing to sneeze at either...Should it be that expensive?

Just a thought...

Doesnt your local post office accept applications? Thats the only place I've ever gone to get my passport renewed. The $85 bucks is definitely a hard hit on the wallet but it lasts you 10 yrs so for the frequent international traveler it works out but I can see where it might be an issue for someone going just once.

I was also fortunate to be raised in an internationally minded family. I've traveled the entire eastern seaboard and the across the south. My dad's a huge fan of road trips so thats what we did for vacations when I was a kid. Then once my siblings were old enough to remember trips abroad we started going abroad. Now I do agree that you can find pretty much anything in the states and to some it might seem why bother leaving the country when you can get it all, I think international travel is different...it opens your eyes to the rest of the world and how different CULTURES (not american) live. I'm a very big supporter of traveling of any kind so you can at least say you've left your state/county! :rolleyes:

Now let's ask a question or two:

How many of you pay for your own travels? I don't mean you pay for your souveniers and moms and pops pay for everything else. I mean pay for it all.

How many of you pay your own bills aside from travel? It is a lot easier to even pay for your own travel expenses when your parents are busy paying for school, living, eating, whatever.

Also some of you that are in grad school like RUgreek had the luxury of taking large blocs of time off to travel. I wanted to enter a certain field that wouldn't allow me time off. I get my 10 days a year and make due with them, but I won't be able to backpack for a while anyway.

-Rudey

It's cool you have those opportunities, but honestly I don't agree with your primary assumption. I'm pretty sure that even if you're correct . . . it's still a money issue.



no, i'd guess it's more like 90%.

Just a correction, I'm not in school anymore, but I did backpack before starting a career. True, working and traveling in large blocks is impossible, I just think people who can do it before they get bogged down with work should seize the opportunity.


RUgreek

Any trip I have taken after high school I have paid for myself. I also pay my own bills. Normally my friends and I will start planning something a yr in advance (ie we're going to Oktoberfest this year and we started planning in Aug 2004). That way we all have time to start saving up.

I definitely agree being in school gives you the opportunity to travel more, which is why my upcoming trip to Germany will probably the last big trip I will take for awhile since on my return my internship will have ended and I will be working full time.

Well I'm not trying to question people. I don't know if you pay for your school, car, health bills, food, rent, and travel all on your own. If you do, great. You should be proud but you are in the minority.

-Rudey

$85 for a passport is a lot of money for some of us. Sadly.



Wow. I think both these statements are incredibly close-minded and, additionally, kind of a stretch coming from two women who have extensively traveled.

Personally, my lack of travel has NOTHING to do with being scared to leave behind the "comforts of the USA" or because I "don't think the rest of the world is worth visiting."

Maybe if we thought of this more as it compares to greek life? Those of us who are in have had great experiences and love it (for the most part.) But there are lots of people who don't join, for a variety of reasons -- money, family, illness, other priorities. That doesn't meant they don't think greek life is worth their time or they're scared to jump into something new. It means they didn't join. For a variety of reasons.

I really disagree. Most people I know whom have traveled outside the US do it for relatively cheap. I know people who spend more on their week at the beach than others do on going to Europe/Australia/Asia. If you really want to travel, you can easily save up, find really cheap tickets, and stay in hostels. My family definitely does not have as much money as most of my friends, but if you save wisely and want to travel enough, you can. Sure, it won't be in a luxury hotel, but if you just love to travel, you'll just be grateful to have a bed and a roof over your head :)

You really disagree? Because of your friends who have expensive beach trips? And again you bring up your family and if your family is helping you pay for anything in your life, including your travel, you obviously couldn't afford to do it on your own.

Even an extremely cheap trip to Europe with $300 airfare and $30 a night for hostel will end up costing you quite a bit (or your family).

-Rudey

I haven't traveled much because I've never had the time. My parents and I have gone skiing many times, and my mom and I went to New York City a few Christmases (oh my gosh, how do you spell Christmas plural?!) ago and will return there this summer. I want to go to Eastern Europe and Greece.