Beyond Textbooks: What Travel Taught Me That My Degrees Couldn't
It's World Teachers' Day. Here are The Most Valuable Lessons I Gained from Living Abroad and Traveling to Over 30 Countries.
I never wanted to be a teacher. In fact, I avoided the path to becoming one. My father, mother and brother were all teachers. Being the baby in the family, I wanted to be different. A lawyer. Not just any lawyer, though. A bilingual criminal justice lawyer. Why? Because it was different. Being a lawyer meant that I could make a difference.
Fast forward to 2024 and here I am, being the exact thing I never wanted to be - and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
My journey intro teaching began unexpectedly in 2004 while studying abroad at Tec de Monterrey in Mexico. As one of my requirements of my exchange program, I had to participate in a weekend teaching program called, Inglés para las Normalistas, where fellow exchange students and I taught English as a Second Language (ESL).
Little did I know that this experience would plant a seed that would grow into a lifelong purpose filled with passion.
After returning to the States in 2005, I caught the travel bug. I longed to travel abroad again. But, of course, life had other plans. It wasn’t until 2017 - a year after receiving my Doctor of Management in Global Leadership - that I finally answered the distant echos, beckoning me to go beyond borders.
Once I took that leap, there was nothing and no one stopping me. I’d graduated from being a student in higher education to being a student in the school of life. The lessons I began learning as I traveled the world? They were things no textbook could ever teach me.
Lessons from the Road
Embracing Adaptability
One of the most important skills travel hones is adaptability. When you're on the road, plans can change in an instant. Whether it's a missed train or a sudden language barrier, learning to adjust and pivot on the fly is essential. These experiences teach you resilience and the ability to confidently navigate unfamiliar environments and scenarios.
Enhancing Problem-Solving Skills
Travel has a way of throwing unexpected obstacles your way, forcing you to think on your feet and find creative solutions. From navigating transportation hiccups to managing limited resources, every trip presents unique challenges that help you develop resourcefulness and quick thinking. These skills prove invaluable in designing innovative lesson plans and addressing diverse learning styles.
Gaining Cultural Awareness
Experiencing diverse cultures firsthand expands your worldview in ways that no textbook ever could. Learning about cultural nuances, traditions, and customs enhances your empathy and understanding of others.
It also teaches you the importance of respecting and appreciating different ways of life. This cultural sensitivity becomes crucial in creating inclusive learning environments for international students.
Understanding Global Perspectives
Traveling opens your eyes to the interconnectedness of our global community. Witnessing different societal norms and values abroad broadens your perspective on major global issues.
It's one thing to read about world events in the news, but experiencing them firsthand in different parts of the world is an entirely different level of understanding.
Building Communication Skills
Interacting with people from diverse backgrounds improves your language skills and teaches you how to effectively communicate non-verbally.
Overcoming language barriers with creative solutions becomes a valuable lesson in adaptability and patience because it makes you a more effective communicator in, and outside of, the classroom.
Cultivating Independence and Self-Reliance
Planning and executing solo trips gives you a sense of confidence and independence that you might never have known you had. Managing the complexities of traveling alone teaches you self-reliance in decision-making and the value of solitude for personal growth. This newfound self-assurance translates into more confident and effective teaching.
Nurturing Human Connections
One of the most rewarding aspects of travel is forming meaningful relationships with people from all walks of life. Sharing stories, ideas, and experiences with individuals from diverse backgrounds fosters mutual understanding and appreciation for our differences.
This ability to connect with people becomes invaluable in building rapport with your students and creating a positive learning environment.
Reflections on Being a Global Educator
Now, 20 years after that first teaching experience in Mexico, I’m proud to be a lecturer at Dalian University of Foreign Languages. I’ve also had the privilege of teaching at two other universities, covering subjects such as Business Ethics, Communication Studies, as well as English for Specific Purposes (ESP) and English for Academic Purposes (EAP).
My students have ranged from undergraduates and career professionals to business executives and government officials from more than 20 countries.
In the spirit of World Teacher Day, I reflect on the unexpected path that led me here. My doctorate was just the beginning. It was the catalyst that pushed me to explore the world and ultimately discover my true calling as an EduVator - which I describe as an educator who primarily focuses on using motivation as a form of education. 😉
Travel has been my greatest teacher, providing lessons that no degree could offer. It has shaped me into a more adaptable, culturally aware, and globally minded teacher. These experiences have not only made me a better teacher but also a more mature and understanding global citizen.
As I celebrate World Teachers’ Day, I’m grateful for the journey that brought me here - from the jovial desire to be a bilingual criminal justice lawyer to a passionate global EduVator.
It’s a reminder that sometimes, the path we resist the most can lead us to our most fulfilling destinations. The world has become my classroom, and now I have the privilege of sharing those lessons with others around the world.
I know what travel has taught me; what will you allow it to teach you?
Dr. CK 💋