by Carole Hill

Created on: June 21, 2008   Last Updated: June 23, 2008

So many reasons come to mind when I think of traveling in my home country before I venture abroad. Not to say that traveling abroad is not rewarding because it is indeed. But I feel it is only natural to explore your own back yard first before you run off into the unknown.

Naturally, accessibility would be the number one reason to travel in your homeland, simply because it is easier to get to some of the best scenic and renowned landmarks known to man. Traditionally, we all seem to have a sense of pride in our homeland. Ever notice how people gleam when they boast about where they're from? It is certainly a good incentive to want to know everything about where you grew up and what is around you. Practically speaking, it is easier on the budget to explore your homeland first.

Your homeland offers a wide spectrum of educational values. You are able to expand your horizons in so many ways when you are there yourself.

Geography: When you are standing at a specific site or landmark, it gives you better perspective of its location and terrain, i.e., near the sea, desert or mountains. You get a better idea of direction and geographic position that are not always clear when you see it in a book.

History: Somehow, when you can view a site or landmark with your own eyes, dates and statistics make more sense. You have an advantage in comprehending past history of events, which may have occurred in or near your hometown. History comes to life when you can witness it in person.

Cultural Background: There may be a specific custom that you have lived with your whole life and have taken for granted because you are so close to it, or even part of it. Cultural backgrounds can encompass the inhabitance and lifestyle of certain groups of people such as traditions, habits, clothing and so on.

Civil and Social Studies: Sometimes we may live in an area where people speak slightly different, but we don't recognize it as being different. For example, a child who grows up in a southern state in the U.S. may not realize that he speaks with a slight drawl because it is all he has known his whole life, but it would sound different to a tourist from another land. Another example would be religious beliefs such as Mormons and it is common knowledge that there is a huge community living in the state of Utah.

Travel in itself offers a wealth of knowledge whenever or where ever you may go. I have the highest regard for those that have the time and money to travel beyond their homelands; they are

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