In 2001, I started homeschooling my son (11 at the time) in preparation for traveling as a family the next school year. As I prepared him for the trip I discovered a simple method to enrich my travels.
Understanding an entirely new culture with an unfamiliar history, political structure, and geography is a challenge. And yet, it needn't be with my simple method.
Just a couple of words about that trip of discovery: we spent ten months in Europe as a family. Five months were spent in Neuchâtel, a French part of Switzerland in the Northwest corner of the country. One of my sons finished his last year of high school there. Based there, we explored central Europe. After, in the Volkswagen popup camper we rented for our entire stay, we traveled the perimeter of Europe, the southern portion during the winter.
There was lots to learn before going, which is Step 1.
Please note that this post is not about planning a trip. For that, read How to Plan a Solo Trip: Trends, Checklist & Budget Spreadsheet.
Step 1 – The Easiest Way to Learn About Your Destination Before You Go
This step is so simple, it's almost laughable. I suggest that you go to the public library for an afternoon and settle yourself down in the children's and teen's section. Information written for adults can go into too much depth. The books you want give you the basics and your first layer of understanding.
Start with an atlas. You're looking for a topographical map of the country that shows mountains, deserts, lakes, and other natural landforms. Get the lay of the land as geography dictates so much of history and culture.
Next, choose a child's book that will introduce you to the country. There are children's travel guides but I would select a book that a child would use when working on a project about the country. This will give you basic history and more. Make sure any books you choose are current.
Finally, watch documentaries and check the news for your destination.
All this gives you some context for what you will see and experience when you arrive.
Step 2 – Enrich Your Travels at Your Destination
At your destination you will layer your experience on top of your pre-trip research.
More importantly, you'll have just enough knowledge to ask the questions that will deepen your understanding of your destination.
Here are a few things to do as you are traveling:
- Start with a bus or free walking tour. Through the books, you've imagined your destination in your head, now see it for yourself. How does it compare? How do you need to shift your understanding? (If it's a free walking tour, don't forget to tip your guide.)
- Wander on your own. Sit in a park or at a bus stop and watch how the society works. How formal or casual is it? How are people dressed? Are they hurrying or relaxed? Do they break in the afternoon or plough through? How are the elderly treated?
- Be curious. Ask questions. It could be a restaurant server, a person waiting in line behind you, or the person on the park bench, as per above. If it's the latter, perhaps they have time and you can simply say that you're traveling and would they mind answering a few questions. If they say yes and you're not sure where to start, you can simply ask: What does it mean to be ______ (enter name of country).
- Read the literature of the destination. Find the English bookstore. There is almost always an English bookstore. This is another place to engage people in conversation but my real purpose in suggesting it is to ask for native authors or poets who have been translated into English. There may be no better way to enrich your travels than to immerse yourself in a story set in the destination and written by someone who has lived there. Here's a list of 100 English bookstores around the world.
- Take public transit. A taxi or Uber can be a good idea if it's night or you're short on time. Another bonus is that you have the driver to talk with. However, public transit, especially above-ground transit, slows things down so that you can get a sense of the distance from one place to another. In addition, managing the transit system is an opportunity to get the support of a local. If you are in a country and you don't speak the language, find a teenager. Most teenagers will have studied some English in school.
- Go to where people naturally socialize. In Ireland or the UK, it will likely be a pub. In Japan, it's an onsen. It varies from culture to culture.
- Go to their legislature or municipal buildings. It may even be possible to go in and see what the politicians are debating. I did this in Edinburgh.
- Attend a sporting event. Attend a national sport or pastime and you'll be in the thick of the culture. You'll get caught up in the excitement of a win or the depression of a defeat.
Step 3 – Continue Your Learning Upon Your Return
Steps 1 and 2 have given you a really strong foundation of knowledge about your destination. You have some formal and some experiential learning.
The final step to enrich your travels is to continue learning and expand your understanding.
- Read adult non-fiction that goes into much greater depth on the aspect of the destination that is most interesting to you. It could be architecture, religion, history, politics, food–whatever grabs you.
- Finish the books of literature or poetry that you bought when you were away.
- Put a news alert for the country on your phone or computer so that you'll stay up-to-date.
