“Tourist” seems like it’s always been somewhat of a derogatory term. Those who identify as authentic travelers would most likely cringe at the prospect of being called a tourist. For some, the term inevitably conjures images of a person with no self-awareness, iPhone in one hand and Starbucks in the other. They’re people who want to see and take everything a place has to offer without actually experiencing it, or leaving anything in return.
Whether you’re called a tourist, traveler, or the next Rick Steves, it doesn’t matter. What matters are your intentions and, even moreso, your actions while visiting your destination. There’s undoubtedly a deeper, better way to travel than the bleak image painted above. So how do we access it? How do we travel more meaningfully?
What makes travel meaningful?
There are so many components that go into making travel meaningful. I’ve found that one of the most important aspects of what makes travel meaningful is the willingness to leave your comfort zone—which often means foregoing the westernized bubble at the all-inclusive resort.
There’s nothing wrong with traveling for relaxation and fun; life is hard and time off is infrequent, so I think you should do what you love. However, if you only get to go abroad once a year (or less!), why not try to make the absolute most of it when you get the opportunity?
Don’t waste your time abroad—make it memorable! (Credit: International Medical Aid)
Meaningful travel will leave you with a sense of fulfillment, which can ultimately be more valuable for your self-confidence and mental health than your typical vacation. Once you travel in a way that makes you feel like a different person, or in a way where you can feel a tangible connection to or impact on your host community, you’ll never be the same traveler again.
When you start pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, asking yourself how you can make a positive difference, and making connections with your host culture, you’re well on your way to making your travel more meaningful.
18 ways to make your travel meaningful
Your trip will be more than a cool story when you get back home. (Credit: Marine Impact)
If you want to know how to make travel more meaningful, start here. These are some of the best tips for creating a more meaningful travel experience the first (or next) time you go abroad. Don’t feel obligated to follow every tip though. Do what you can—following just a few of these can easily elevate your time abroad!
1. Have a strong “why”
Do you want to study abroad in Spain? Take a gap year in New Zealand? Volunteer in South Africa? That’s great! But do you know why you want to do those things? If not, you could potentially be setting yourself up for a lackluster experience.
Lots of potentially life-changing travel experiences look amazing on paper (or, more commonly, on Instagram and TikTok). However, traveling just because it looks cool isn’t the best “why”. That doesn’t mean things that look cool aren’t worth it; rather, in order to have a meaningful travel experience, it’s important that your reason for traveling is more than superficial.
Your travels become even more meaningful when you have a strong reason for wanting to go. You’ll be less likely to be disappointed and more likely to be motivated to leave your comfort zone once you arrive, wanting to soak up everything your host country has to offer.
2. Set goals
What do you want to accomplish on your travels? After all, there’s so much you can do on a trip abroad: learn a language, make new friends, try new foods, explore centuries-old sites firsthand.
For the spontaneous among us, it’s easy to arrive somewhere and figure it all out on the fly. For everyone else, it’s a good idea to have some goals in mind before your departure! Setting goals will give you a bit more structure and put you on the path to a meaningful travel experience.
Between us though? It’s totally fine if you don’t actually fulfill those goals. It’s important to not put pressure on yourself (see tip 14!). Plans change and being flexible while traveling is crucial to having a meaningful, authentic travel experience. As long as you have some broad-level goals, you’re more likely to have the trip you’re imagining.
3. Go solo
Solo travel means you call the shots! (Credit: Teach Away)
Having your friends as a security blanket is a comforting feeling, especially in such a (literally) foreign environment. However, having your friends with you may not do you much good in the way of personal growth. Traveling with people you know can leave you tempted to stay in your bubble.
If you want an experience that’s more meaningful and authentic, challenge yourself to do it alone. I deeply believe that traveling solo is something everyone should try at least once; not only does it push you out of that pesky comfort zone, but you’ll get to know yourself better! More than a few travelers have reassessed their values and life goals after a solo trip abroad (myself included).
Don’t worry—solo travel doesn’t mean being lonely. Most of the time, it doesn’t even mean being alone! It’s more like being alone together. You can stay in hostels to get to know other solo travelers, or sign up for group excursions to meet like-minded folks. Alone never has to mean lonely.
4. Research your destination
This should be a no-brainer, but lots of people skip this step. Again, the things you see on TikTok and Instagram typically strip away a destination’s nuance, showing you only the prettiest parts.
In reality, everywhere in the world is more complicated than social media shows. Knowing current events in your destination, as well as their historical context, will allow you to cultivate a more authentic experience.
Once you’re abroad and start exploring, you’ll realize not everything is what social media makes it out to be. That’s when it’s important to have knowledge to fall back on, so that you can more effectively understand (and appreciate) life in your host country.
5. Learn the local language
If you want to know how to make your travel meaningful, this is another basic tip that’s an absolute game changer.
If you’re going to a non-English speaking country in a month or two, it might be unrealistic to learn an entire language and speak it fluently by then. But as long as you’re able to learn some basics before your trip, it can make a world of difference. (Hello, how are you, my name is, where is the bathroom, etc.)
Not only will it make you a more confident communicator, but it will also show others that you care about where you are. Something as simple as learning a few phrases can make a great impression, making your trip that much more meaningful. It will also motivate you to keep learning and advance your skills!
6. Slow down
Don’t rush through your time abroad! Take in every moment you can. (Credit: International Medical Aid)
Making the most of your time abroad by doing the most makes sense, right? After all, if you have a week or less in a brand new country, your days are gonna be jam-packed to make sure you get to do everything you want to do.
However, you shouldn’t use this strategy at the expense of your overall experience. Rushing from city to city or excursion to excursion can leave you feeling foggy on what you actually did or accomplished while abroad.
Instead, consider slowing down. If you only have a week to spend abroad, why not focus on one city, getting to know it inside and out? You’ll go home feeling like a local, rather than a chaotic tourist, and with a much more meaningful experience than you would’ve had otherwise.
Pro tip: Slow travel is even better when you have more time to spare, like a month or longer. Slow travel is best enjoyed during gap year experiences and job opportunities abroad, like teaching English.
7. Be present where you are
In the age of social media, it’s tempting to put everything you do on your favorite social media channels—and sometimes, it’s tempting to do things just for that exact reason.
My challenge to you: Put your phone down. Have it with you (for safety and navigation), but don’t go overboard. Take photos, but keep some just for yourself. Share your experiences with loved ones back home, but know how to take a step back from your digital life and be present where you are.
You’ll thank yourself for it later. And on that note…
8. Keep a travel journal
A travel journal is an exceptional accessory to meaningful travel. Not only does it help you remember all the cool experiences you’ve had, it also helps you reflect and learn. And if you need inspiration, I’ve got you covered.
By the way, if you wouldn’t call yourself a writer, that’s totally okay. Your travel journal doesn’t have to be written. You can keep a photo or video journal instead, or even start a YouTube channel. Whatever medium makes it easiest for you to record your experiences, thoughts, and feelings works just fine.
Having a tangible record of your experiences makes it easier to reflect later on, and will help you plan your future meaningful travels more effectively.
9. Usher yourself out of your comfort zone
Try to do something you never pictured yourself doing! (Credit: Kaya Responsible Travel)
I’ve already mentioned leaving your comfort zone a few times, and that’s because it’s worth reiterating. To travel meaningfully, you’re gonna need to push yourself to do things you’ve never done before.
Leaving your comfort zone can manifest in many different ways; it could mean trying new food, having a conversation in a language that isn’t your own, or doing something you’d never imagine yourself doing at home (be it anything from bungee jumping to cooking an Italian feast).
If you don’t push yourself out of your comfort zone, you’ll never know what you’re truly capable of—and you may never be able to fully know or appreciate your host country.
10. Consider your impact
Westerners should always stay conscious of the impact their travels have on local communities, and the colonial roots of their actions.
Stay vigilant in terms of greenwashing, and avoid frequenting multinational corporations (like McDonald’s) when possible. One of the worst things you can do as a traveler is to divest money and resources from your host country, especially in the Global South.
You’ll have a much more positive impact on your host destination if you shop locally, and it’s even more helpful to pay in cash if you’re in a country where cashless transactions are still rare. Traveling responsibly is easily one of the best ways to make your travel meaningful.
11. Choose enriching experiences (that you’ll enjoy)
Making your travel meaningful means setting yourself up for success by choosing experiences that you’ll genuinely enjoy, not experiences that you think you’ll enjoy. (Remember that warning about social media skewing perception?)
Volunteering at a construction site in Nepal is an incredible and worthwhile experience, but are you prepared for intense physical activity? Do you have the skills required for such a project? Similarly, teaching English in Korea is a great way to travel and save money, but does it fit your personality? Do you enjoy working with children?
Sometimes you may have no frame of reference to know whether or not you’ll enjoy an experience. This is when it’s important to read program reviews and reach out to program alumni. Ask questions about the program you’re interested in! And then carefully consider the answers.
12. Be intentional
Don’t lose sight of what you’re trying to accomplish. (Credit: Intercultural Outreach Initiative)
To prevent losing sight of the reason you’ve traveled to your destination, practice intentionality everyday you’re abroad. Plan out your day and what you want to accomplish. Or if that’s too overwhelming, set yourself small goals or tasks every week and check in with yourself at a designated time.
Making a rough, small-scale outline for what you want to do everyday can help you stay focused on your “why” and achieve your overarching goals. It’ll help you find purpose more effectively—and if you have purpose, you’re already well on your way to a meaningful experience.
13. Don’t fall into the “authenticity” trap
This is a tough one. In an age of globalism and rampant capitalism, do authentic travel experiences even exist anymore? Can they? Although I don’t believe it’s impossible to have an authentic experience, I do think it’s subjective—and can borderline on problematic if you’re not careful.
What does “authentic” mean for you? More importantly, are you defining this term based on cultural stereotypes or long-gone traditions without thinking about it? If authenticity is an important characteristic for your trip to have, contemplate your answers to these questions thoughtfully. They’ll determine if you’re headed in a harmful direction and need to reevaluate.
All of that to say, it may be unwise to measure how meaningful your experience is by how “authentic” it is. Instead, strive to make sure you’re not promoting or participating in harmful practices while in pursuit of your goals. Responsibility and ethics are both cornerstones of a meaningful experience.
14. Don’t put pressure on yourself
Here’s something not everyone knows about meaningful travel: If your experience isn’t perfect, it’s not the end of the world. It’s even okay if you don’t ultimately like your experience! That’s obviously not the preferred outcome, but it’s a learning experience nonetheless.
An important way to travel meaningfully is to be realistic. There are some places that you’re just not gonna vibe with. The food might not be for you, local laws or customs may be incompatible with your values, maybe you just can’t get the hang of the public transportation, or maybe the weather isn’t compatible with your preferred lifestyle.
That’s not to say you shouldn’t keep an open mind and try to enjoy where you are. But if you’ve tried your hardest and you’re just not into it, don’t put pressure on yourself to love it. If it’s within your power to leave or go somewhere else, do so!
Otherwise, try to stick it out and fall back on recording your thoughts and feelings in your travel journal. It’ll help you reflect on why you’re feeling the way you feel, and even help you plan your next trip more effectively.
15. Avoid comparing yourself to others
Build a trip that meets *your* goals. (Credit: International Medical Aid)
On that note, it’s important to remember that everyone’s experience is different. Did you wind up in London based on a friend’s recommendation, who had the best summer ever there? Then you might feel confused later on if you’re finding yourself struggling to connect with local culture.
It’s natural to compare ourselves to others, but meaningful travel means making the most of your experience. You don’t have to do all the same things other people are doing for it to be a successful trip. Forge your own path, and find your own things to love about your destination.
16. Listen and observe
If you’re a Westerner traveling abroad (especially an American), you might catch criticism from other travelers or locals in some destinations due to politics, current events, media, and more. Or, if you’re trying to utilize a language that you just learned, other speakers may point out the mistakes you’re liable to make.
There’s a wide range of scenarios that could put you on the receiving end of negative feedback. It’s important to try not to be defensive in these situations. Listen and consider what’s being said, and especially consider cultural differences. Don’t forget that “normal” ways of speaking or delivering information in your home country is not the same way of doing things elsewhere, so always keep cultural awareness and sensitivity in mind.
Note: It’s important to point out that negative feedback delivered in the form of racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia, or any form of hatred is never tolerable, and, if safe to do so, you should remove yourself from the situation immediately.
17. Practice self-awareness
Although avoiding being defensive is important, it’s equally important to avoid being offensive. This is an obvious piece of advice—but what’s less obvious is that you may not know that your actions or words are coming across as offensive. This is where self-awareness comes in handy.
How are you coming across to those around you? Are you constantly placing expectations on your host community that match your western lifestyle? It can be frustrating to not have our expectations or needs met, but complaining about it, or putting the blame on the local culture, is not the way to go about it.
For example, if you’re a vegetarian, there are many places in the world where it’s going to be hard to find food that fits your dietary lifestyle. It’s important to remember that that’s not the fault of anyone you encounter working in restaurants or food stalls. In this case, you may be putting unrealistic or unfair expectations on your host country.
Avoiding this type of behavior in integral in meaningful travel. Meaningful travel means being able to appreciate a location for what it is, rather than appreciating it for being able to mimic what you’re used to at home.
18. Don’t be afraid to move on—or stay!
Meaningful travel could be your first step to living a life abroad! (Credit: EF Gap Year)
When your trip comes to a close, you’ll feel one of two ways: completely ready to go home, or ready to stay for days or weeks longer. If you fall into the former category, that’s great! You’ll hopefully be feeling that way because you got what you wanted out of your trip. Don’t feel guilty if you’re excited to go home.
If you fall into the latter camp, don’t be afraid to leave. A lot of the time, we have to go back home due to budget constraints or responsibilities. Sometimes it’s just not practical or wise to stay abroad for an extended period, so don’t try to dig your heels in. The good news? Meaningful travelers will always find a way back to the places they love most.
But on the flip side, it’s okay to stay longer than you intended (visa allowing, of course)! If you have the funds and freedom, why not? Who knows—maybe this is where you’ll ultimately build a life. Wouldn’t it be the ultimate reward for traveling meaningfully to find the place you’re meant to be?
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Traveling is good—but traveling meaningfully is even better
With a full arsenal of meaningful travel tips, your trip abroad will be as meaningful as you’re willing to make it. Ready to take the next step?
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