OKay, let’s think about this together for a moment, because I’m honestly torn. Should I travel while I’m still young? (not so young tho).I mean, it’s not just about exploring new places or collecting passport stamps, right? Travel is more than just taking cool photos and getting out of the daily grind. It’s a huge decision, especially when you’re juggling academic life, career aspirations, and all those plans that are supposed to set you up for the future. It’s an intersection……
But let’s start with why I’m even asking myself this question in the first place. There’s something about being young that makes you feel like time is both infinite and fleeting at the same time. There are places i want to go, people i want to meet, cultures i want to experience—and more importantly, there’s a sense of self I can uncover only through the lens of travel. It’s like the world is this vast puzzle, and I’m just itching to figure out how all the pieces fit together.
But there is something else. I’ve got academic commitments. The work I’m doing right now—especially with that linguistics course redesign—is something I’m passionate about. My head’s deep in syntax and semantics, and let’s not forget how much time it’s taking to make sure the course flows just right. Travel sounds tempting, especially seeing these videos on youtube or instagram from time to time when I am bored or just tired of working on a paper. but what if all this work gets thrown off balance? What if I end up falling behind or losing the momentum I’ve built up in academia?
There’s also the question of what traveling while young could even do for my academic life. I’m supposed to be building a career, right? Staying ahead in research, getting more publications out there, and keeping up with the latest trends in my field. If I take a month—or more—off to travel, will I lose out on valuable time that could otherwise be spent writing papers, attending conferences, or even just thinking through my next big project? The academic grind is relentless (a cut throat sometimes), and I’ve got to be strategic about my time if I want to be taken seriously.
But then again, isn’t travel, in its own way, an academic pursuit too? If I think about the research I’ve done into different languages, cultures, and educational systems, it’s clear that traveling could enrich my perspective. it could give me new ideas, perspectives…? What better way to test out some of the things I’m teaching in my linguistics course than to experience different dialects, hear diverse accents, and engage with new communities? There’s something deeply enriching about being in those environments rather than just reading about them in textbooks. Hell, maybe I could even do research while traveling—combine the best of both worlds!
And it’s not just the academics; travel also pushes me to grow in ways I can’t quite predict. Every time I’ve stepped out of my comfort zone, I’ve learned something new about myself. It’s about the little moments—navigating a foreign city on my own, figuring out the logistics of a new place, handling unexpected challenges, and yes, even getting lost sometimes. That kind of growth doesn’t always happen in a classroom. Traveling is a kind of learning that can’t be replicated in an academic setting, no matter how rigorous the curriculum is.
But I can’t ignore the fact that the world’s not cheap, and inflation is ravaging the whole world. My bank account, alipay or wechat knows that better than anyone. Traveling while young means making sacrifices—either financially, time-wise, or both. I could spend that money on more professional development—conferences, certifications, advanced courses. Sure, those things don’t have the immediate thrill of exploring a new city, but in the long run, they might give me a stronger foundation in academia and career.
What if the pressure of balancing travel and academic life ends up draining me? What if it all backfires? What if I miss deadlines, fall behind, and start resenting the very thing I’ve worked so hard to build? That’s a real concern. And on top of that, there’s the guilt—the ever-present, nagging feeling that I should be doing more, not taking time off for something that’s not directly tied to my academic progress. That inner voice will never go away, no matter how many sunsets I see.
But… what if the real question isn’t about whether or not to travel? What if it’s about how I balance everything? Maybe I don’t need to drop everything and go on a grand adventure for months at a time. Maybe it’s about choosing shorter trips that still give me the sense of exploration without putting my academic goals on hold. Maybe it’s about integrating travel into my academic life. Perhaps I could combine research with travel, or take a sabbatical to dive into a project while living somewhere completely new. There’s a way to do this without sacrificing one for the other.
There’s no right or wrong answer here, and I know I’ll have to weigh my options carefully. I can always come back to academia after a trip, but that trip may never happen again at this point in my life. Youth has a way of slipping away, and the world will always be there—but I won’t always be as free to explore it as I am now.
So, maybe the real question is: How can I make this work for me?
Maybe it’s about being strategic—planning trips that fuel my passions, that align with my academic interests, and that don’t throw my career off course. Maybe it’s about realizing that the world is a classroom in itself, and the lessons I pick up from the road will stay with me for life, just like the lessons I’m learning in my research. Travel doesn’t have to be an interruption; it can be an extension of the journey I’m already on.
I’ve got time, and the world can wait just a little longer.
But first, maybe it’s time to book a weekend getaway.