Do we prefer International Travel? why?
All is well in Bangkok, Thailand where I’ll be stationed until December studying and traveling. Excuse me for the lack of posts, but I’ve been busy living, learning, and making the most of Southeast Asia – which is amazing by the way.
But here’s the question I’ve been exploring:
Assume you’ve never traveled anywhere (really not far from reality for many Americans really), and all of a sudden you’ve had the opportunity to travel free to any 10 destinations. What do you choose? International, or abroad?
Well readers here based on the blog’s topic would choose international, but remember – you haven’t been anywhere in the USA. Your homeland and country.

Curious observation
This is just a curious observation I’ve been making note of and am thinking about. It’s a good thing to travel domestically through your own country, but I’d bet 80% of the time atleast most would opt to go internationally rather than stay at home. Personally, I’ve had countless travel convos with many Thai students.
“have you been to the US before?”
“yeah just a couple times. LA, Las Vegas, Seattle, Denver, Chicago, New York, Boston, and Florida of course…..”
In most cases, their own travel experiences in the US are more vast than my own.
When the question is reciprocated to my Thai friends and I regarding travels in Southeast Asia and Thailand, the same pattern re-emerges. They’ve been to Koh Samui once, Singapore, and Hong Kong once. Personally I’ve just concluded that most people do not want to travel domestically.
Why would we prefer international travel?
Mass Media
We are bombarded with news, images, cultural references, stereotypes of everywhere in the US. We study US more than other places. I already know it, and I don’t want to waste my time and resources seeing myself.
Sensitivity
My sensitivity to changes in life, in general, have diminished. Flashy ads, provocative images, and ‘crazy’ stories become dull faster. I have a desire for new experiences, and the more novel stimuli I’m exposed to, the better. Most novel stimuli are easier to find in foreign countries with unfamiliar cultures, ways of life, and language.
High Cost
Feel zero need to waste precious resources on expensive US domestic travel. Reconsider with cheap railways or buses, but not practical and may never be. Hostels? Guesthouses? Bed and Breakfasts and cheap motels exist, but not quite the same atmosphere as a good guesthouse or hostel.
I’d love to hear others’ comments on the topic and to see if I’m way off base with my observations, since my anecdotal evidence really is the worst way to back any argument. Input is appreciated.


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