Emily Guthrie, Valley Voices staff writer

Cody Batts and Josh Gibson, two Cleveland High School students who have never traveled outside the United States, hope their trip to France with their Frenchlanguage class this summer will help them understand life in another country.

“Traveling can bring to life whatever you’ve studied in a classroom,” Cody said. “I hope to get a better view of a different culture in person.”

Traveling also can be a good way to see how people from different cultures live day to day.

“When you go to a different country, you’re part of that culture. You get a better perspective of how different people live, which gives you a better opportunity to learn,” Josh said.

Some students who have traveled say their travel experiences have helped their studies.

“When I study about places I visited, it helps me because I have more of a visual image to look back on,” said Stephanie Parkinson, a student who has traveled to England. “It’s better than having to only rely on what a textbook says.”

All three students agreed that people who have traveled often have a learning advantage over those that have not.

“People who have traveled to a different country were at one point a part of that country and learned from those experiences,” Josh said. “People who haven’t traveled have to rely on secondhand information from others.”

According to Dr. Michael Laney, the chair of the communications and arts department at Lee University, where there are many opportunities for students to travel abroad, traveling can help people beyond their studies.

“A recent survey of employers published by LEAP (Liberal Education and America’s Promise) indicates that prospective employers want college graduates to possess strong intercultural competence and the ability to appreciate global perspectives,” Dr. Laney said. “Global travel programs open the door to cultural exploration, intercultural competence and appreciation for diversity.”

Traveling is a great way to broaden horizons, but no matter how many places one visits, there is always more to learn.

“Every place has a different perspective,” Stephanie said. “There are so many different places in the world, and you can learn something from each one of them.”

Emily Guthrie is a student at Cleveland High School.

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