Travel Broadens the Mind? I beg to differ

I will never forget standing at the ruins at Pachacamac in Peru, admiring the vast site and trying to imagine how the place would have looked before the Spanish conquest. Standing next to us were a British couple who had travelled to the site on the same bus and we had already gathered were well travelled. The woman looked at the ruined site, from which much of the stone had been plundered in the 16th century, and said to her husband without a shred of irony: “At least when the British arrived in their colonies they respected the local cultures and looked after the history”. We were speechless.

Travel exposes us to many unfamiliar sensations. New sights, sounds, smells and tastes are all around us when we visit a new part of the world. We hear stories and see rituals from different cultures and face opinions and beliefs that might be contrary to our own. We take part in activities that might be normal in our host country but that we would never consider at home.

So what do we take home that we can use in everyday lives, that we can say has broadened our minds? If we have an open, inquisitive mind, we might challenge some of own assumptions about our view of history, or of international politics. We might gain greater tolerance for a religion that we were exposed to on our travels. We might even expand our cooking repetoire or our music collection.

There are many ways in which our lives can be enriched by experiences from another country. But we have to have the right frame of mind to start with. Take the lady I described in the first paragraph. I fear she will fit anything she visits in the world into her model of a high class, benevolent and intellectually superior British civilisation. I would not be so arrogant to presume I haven’t had moments of prejudice at some moments on our travels, and uttered words I later wish I hadn’t. But I do believe, as do most who want to experience the beauty and diversity of our planet and the people who call it home, that the differences we encounter along the way do make travelling very addictive.

But why do we need to travel? Can we not experience those differences in beliefs, in culture, in personal values, without jetting off to the other side of the world? They can be found in our own country. Sometimes in our own state or city. I have met people who appeared as wise and curious as any seasoned traveller, yet they had never left their immediate surroundings. So can our minds be broadened without travel? Absolutely. For me, expanding our view of the world, and of ourselves, is a by-product of travel, but it not a reason in itself to create a giant carbon footprint.

I travel because I love the excitement of arriving somewhere new; of hearing a new language and trying to make sense of it; of trying different foods; of muddling my way through an alien transport system; of chance encounters with people where we don’t share a common language yet can communicate; of seeing the sights that have enthralled me since I saw them in atlases and children’s encyclopedias. But to broaden my mind? Well I want to do in any case, whether at home or far away.

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30 Responses to “Travel Broadens the Mind? I beg to differ”

  1. The Holy Lama #

    True. Travelling usually broadens the mind but as you say if it is the right mindset. India as you might know has been looted, razed down and built over centuries by different kinds of invaders. Some were after wealth, some religious, some missionary and yet others colonizers. What is left of the earlier existing culture in some cases is minimal, some cases nil and in others more rich. THe Indian civilization also grew imbibing or adjusting to new cultures.
    But all said, we all tend to look at things from our poit of view, our upbringing and our values. It takes great effort and wisdom to share and let others be.

    October 17, 2009 at 1:26 pm
  2. Trudy #

    Travel has to begin with an open mind. If people are traveling hoping that their minds or hearts are going to become more open, well, I don't see that happening. Also, some do not travel for that reason at all, but for sheer oneupmanship and with a superiority complex. I agree with the quote "travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind," but believe that it has to start with the right mindset for this to occur.

    Good point regarding prejudices where you state: [I would not be so arrogant to presume I haven't had moments of prejudice at some moments on our travels]. I think that everyone has prejudices and the worst thing someone can do is to start that "I am colourblind" garbage up or pretend that they are exempt from prejudices. However, I do not know how that woman in the couple you speak of made that statement she did with a straight face. Not really sure…

    You are very fortunate that you have met people in your home country who have never traveled yet have the curiosity and wisdom of the seasoned traveler. I cannot say that I have that experience too often and really, I encounter more people in the States with the mindset of the British couple that you speak of rather than the previous state (curiosity etc.) that you/I mentioned (not sure if that is because of how people are reacting to my background/culture). I don't have that experience with strangers too often, but fortunately enough with those who are very close to me–I suspect that I hand picked my friends, as others have commented to me ;) and I am so thankful for them.

    I think a variety of experiences can open the mind, from reading the latest travel magazine, book or scholarly journal article, to discussing travel, vacation and even war experiences (I have military friends and family and seeing pictures and discussing Afghanistan with my older sister was humbling) with someone to traveling yourself, whether within your home country or abroad.

    Great point re: [Expanding our view of the world, and of ourselves, is a by-product of travel, but it not a reason in itself to create a giant carbon footprint.]

    Great post, thanks for sharing.

    October 17, 2009 at 2:01 pm
  3. Andy Jarosz #

    @Lama Yes, sadly India has had more than its fair share of invaders and the "curious", who have taken what they want and not cared about the consequences (some would argue it's still going on). It's a miracle that there is so much of India to still enthrall those who want to see it.

    @Trudy Wow, your reply is more comprehensive than my post. Thanks for sharing some great points. I agree that there are other ways that can also provide insights into people and cultures and promote tolerance. And don't worry, I honestly don't think your country is any worse off than ours for finding those curious non-travellers out there.

    Thanks again for your comments.
    Andy

    October 17, 2009 at 2:19 pm
  4. Ann-Katrin #

    Thanks for an excellent blog post. I love to travel myself but it is clear that to some it doesn't matter how far they go, what they see and do they just see as strange oddities, without even trying to put it in to context. I am sure these people enjoy travelling too, but from a very different perspective.
    Also, it is so true about what you say about an open mind and about learning from the people closer around you. It is a pity that this opportunity is so often missed.

    October 17, 2009 at 5:37 pm
  5. I’m not sure you can tell if a person is changed by how they relate their experience to another person. Hard to tell pithy from pissy when you don’t know jack about the circumstances or the verbal hash bein’ slung. Yeah, I know, I’ve been on an archaeological project with a woman who had been to every corner of the earth–so many places it made you jealous as hell–and all because she seemed to want to confirm her fixed idea that the US was just the best goll-darned place on earth. But you know what? I think deep down she’s probably different than somebody who’d stayed in Ohio and worked in a department store selling rubber boots to farmers.

    james

    October 27, 2009 at 10:29 pm
  6. I guess everyone is trying their best to fit what they experience in their lives into their view of the world. Some views are more set in stone than others, for good or ill. Like you say James, the view of the archaeologist is different from the local store worker – but is it inherently more informed or less ignorant? Difficult to say… thanks for the insights.

    October 27, 2009 at 11:54 pm
  7. Such an interesting post! And something I’ve deliberated upon in my own mind a lot this year as my partner and I moved overseas and began our own full-time adventure.

    One quote that seems to ring true here, “The world is a looking glass and gives back to every man the reflection of his own face.” William M. Thackeray

    My interpretation of that with regards to travel and it broadening the mind is that no matter where you are in the world you’ll see, take and experience everything based on your original biases/mindset/values etc.

    That is, unless you consciously open your mind and your heart to this new experience and go through the journey with a heightened awareness of what you may take from it – unfortunately this is something so few people do, and thus the lack of growth.

    Elysia

    October 28, 2009 at 5:18 am
  8. Kenley #

    ‘muddling my way through an alien transport system’ this is one of the most exciting parts of traveling to a new destination. i think of it as a game that you can only win by setting out and experiencing transportation the way the locals do. not a fan of the private cars that many people will try to push on you. give me a subway, bus, or mule and i am good to go!

    October 28, 2009 at 5:39 am
  9. @Elysia Thanks for sharing your thoughts, and the very apt quote. Travelling does give us great opportunities to experience and grow. It’s up to us to take them and it’s not easy to leave our preconceptions behind, particularly when stressed or anxious.

    @Kenley so true! And even if you get lost, you will often have a great adventure either having someone help you or finding a different part of the city to the one you had planned to visit.

    October 28, 2009 at 10:25 am
  10. I agree. Just this year I’ve started to think more and more that travel alone will not widen one’s perspective. The key to developing a broader perspective is pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone and then taking time to reflect on the experience. From this reflective space, we can learn more about ourselves and the world around us, and consequently grow.

    November 5, 2009 at 12:56 am
    • Thanks for sharing your thoughts Bev. I agree, we learn best if we stop to take time to look at what we do and how it affects us and others. I love your site by the way; you have some great stories on there!

      November 5, 2009 at 9:01 am
  11. Thanks for the great article and the replies. Enjoyed reading them. I agree that one has to travel with an open mind and be prepared for any surprises be it the people, culture, the way of life. One has to leave behind any prejudices and stereotypical impressions, one might have, of any place one is traveling to and understand the story behind why a place is just the way it is. I hail from Bhutan and having been involved in the travel industry for a while, all I can say is that, travel do change people (even the most difficult types) and they see the world from a whole new perspective once they immerse in the culture of Bhutan. There is always a lasting impression and fond memories and the guests’ always questions, “why aren’t we so content and happy when we have all the comforts of modern day life?” since in places like Bhutan, people do not have all the material comforts of life but they are by and large content and happy.Juggling the spiritual well being and economic prosperity is not easy and our govt.’s policy of “Gross National Happiness (GNH)” is attempting to balance the two.Enjoy your travels and let me know if you are in my part of the world. Best, Lotay

    November 14, 2009 at 6:22 am
  12. Thanks Lotay for sharing your thoughts. GNH sounds like a very sensible concept. I will read about how this is measured. How have you found life in US compared to Bhutan? Is it an easy transition to adapt to?

    November 14, 2009 at 9:32 am
  13. Thanks Andy. There are four pillars, nine domains and over 72 indicators to measure GNH.You could check out http://www.grossnationalhappiness.com/ It is a WIP and the movement is gaining momentum as more ‘happiness economists’ emerge.
    Well, life back in Bhutan is good and my personal happiness could not be higher but I do miss the niceties and the conveniences US has to offer. Have a restful weekend! Lotay

    November 14, 2009 at 10:30 am
    • Thanks Lotay. Fascinating reading!

      November 14, 2009 at 3:32 pm
  14. I do agree that travel on its own isn’t enough to broaden the mind – it is all about how you travel. Without the possibility of travel, peoples of the world wouldn’t meet. I wouldn’t have spent a day with the two young Turkish students from a religious university who had never before talked to a Westerner about the issues that divide us. What they had been told about the sons (or daughters) of Satan and what I had read about them were of course all grossly exaggerated – we had a great day out while they showed me the local sights and there was a small chink in the war of terror by the end of the day. And for every idiot who can look at Mt Kilimanjaro and think they’ve got better in Florida (one of my favourite fellow travellers) there are others who look at it and see the miracle of nature that puts snow and elephants and glorious scenery into one place and thank whoever allowed them to get there to see it.

    November 26, 2009 at 9:30 am
  15. I’m going to give that woman the benefit of the doubt and presume that she did say it with irony. British people have a very dry sense of humour and are great for deadpan delivery.

    Aside from that, there is a small grain of truth in what she says. I don’t condone imperialism or colonialism for a moment, but the British were generally not quite as heinous as the Spanish or many other European colonial powers. Imagine living in the Belgian Congo under King Leopold or working in the Bolivian silver mines under the Spanish? All imperialism is bad but that doesn’t mean there aren’t nuances within it.

    January 26, 2010 at 6:25 pm
  16. Thanks Caitlin, yes the British deadpan humour can be a source of much confusion, although in this case the woman was absolutely serious and her behaviour after that incident confirmed this. She showed a complete lack of tact throughout the trip and made a string of racially unacceptable remarks without any awareness of offence caused.

    Interesting to compare the colonial behaviours. As an Aussie have you made it to Port Arthur in Tasmania? I was absolutely horrified to hear what the Brits got up to there with some of the prisoners, let alone the Tasmanian aboriginees (hunted to extinction). Also in India a visit to Amritsar where the British killed 2,000 unarmed people in an unprovoked premeditated massacre. As a Brit myself I try to remain objective but I do think our history is as dark as any of the other colonial powers. Interesting debate though and thanks for your comments.

    January 26, 2010 at 8:02 pm
  17. I’ve often thought of the irony of the British culture – so seemingly destructive in their colonial endeavors, but seemingly focused on building organized societies.

    There are hundreds of small decisions that go into setting your self up to experience, ranging from making the decision to stay in a hostel and not the RITZ to forcing yourself to eat that street food that you’re just not quite sure about, but everyone else is eating.

    Great article and I appreciate the honesty of perspective.

    January 26, 2010 at 9:00 pm
  18. Thanks for the comment Garrett. Yes, I wonder if colonialism worked precisely because the cogs in the machine felt that they were working for a greater good, even when their direct actions were so clearly wrong.
    Street food is a whole new subject! It has without doubt provided our best, and at other times our worst, eating experiences. But it is nearly always memorable.

    February 3, 2010 at 6:41 pm
  19. I think that travel does indeed broaden the mind. Once you begin to travel it’s like opening a pandora’s box… there’s always more, always another place to see. Having personal encounters with all that lies beyond our shores, and learning more about all the opportunities and diversity that exists is what broadens the mind in one sense. Yet removing the mysticism and unknown nature of far off lands and cultures certainly disables our limitless ability to imagine the world.

    I like this quote from Paul Theroux: “Extensive traveling induces a feeling of encapsulation, and travel, so broadening at first, contracts the mind.”

    June 16, 2010 at 10:34 am
  20. Thank you Stephen, and an interesting paradox as highlighted by the quote. On the one hand we learn so much from the world (providing our minds are open to learning in the first place) and on the other we no longer have that innocent and wild imagination, untouched by real experience of what the far-off parts of the world look like.

    June 17, 2010 at 4:26 pm
  21. Andy, there’s a great quote from Thomas Fuller (English Glergyman) from the 1600’s and goes like this ‘if an ass goes traveling, he’ll not come home a horse’

    I say no more………..

    July 11, 2010 at 10:23 am
  22. Nicely summed up – very pithy quote Jason. Thanks for sharing.

    July 12, 2010 at 11:18 pm
  23. I really hate headlines like this. The headline suggests that the article will be about proving that travel doesn’t really broaden the mind.

    Instead, you’ve proven that it doesn’t broaden everyone’s mind and you can have your mind broadened without traveling, truisms that need no post.

    August 1, 2011 at 9:53 pm
    • Andy Jarosz #

      Hi Roni, good to see you on here. I certainly didn’t intend to mislead with the headline. I wanted to write a rebuttal to the many posts that extol the wisdom-giving virtues of travel. The rhetorical question was aimed at questioning the message proclaimed in these posts, stating that it is attitude and not travel that indeed broadens the mind. A truism yes, but one that is sometimes overlooked by many of us travel enthusiasts. It’s not the first or last headline to be written with a view to provoking debate but I do like to think it is relevant and appropriate to the post.

      August 1, 2011 at 10:44 pm

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