21 Lessons from a 21-Year-Old Global Citizen
Traveling with Purpose
Written By: Taylor Edwardson
Hey GIVErs!! I am so grateful to be connected to such a like-minded group of individuals who strive to create positive, sustainable changes every day. This family is full of world-changers! My name is Taylor Edwardson, and I began my journey with GIVE in 2023 with my first trip to my home away from home, Zanzibar, Tanzania. <3 Since then, I’ve traveled on GIVE’s Wilderness International Leadership Development (WILD) trip and plan to go on my next adventure with GIVE soon!
Traveling as a tourist versus immersing yourself within the host community’s culture are two different things. From personal experience, when you travel responsibly with GIVE, you will undergo hands-on and heartfelt interactions with the local community members, who push you to embody their culture and protect their traditions. The lessons you gain from such encounters will stick with you for the rest of your life, and many will alter how you live.
As a young traveler myself, here are 21 lessons I learned from traveling as a global citizen with purpose, immersing myself in other cultures. I hope they resonate and inspire you as you take your next leap of faith with GIVE.
1) A slower pace of life = a thriving community. I deeply admire this “pole pole” lifestyle, as the locals in Zanzibar would say. Taking life at a slower pace enables us to prioritize what truly matters: our health, relationships, and overall happiness and well-being. Why rush through life when it’s so short?
2) The present moment is the most valuable time. This goes hand-in-hand with the previous lesson, but if you’re constantly stressing about the future or what is coming, you will never see what’s right in front of you. Slow down and live every second as if it could be your last.
3) Community. Community. Community. In individualist cultures, we often overlook the importance of genuine community. However, collectivist cultures teach valuable lessons about nurturing connections with people who truly see, hear, and love us. Embracing such communities fosters profound human connections that can transcend all barriers!
4) Tourism can create valuable job opportunities in host communities, but it can also limit access to other possibilities. For example, during our visit to Kairo, MC, the GIVE education coordinator, shared the challenges faced by men in Kiwengwa when trying to find spouses. He explained that the influx of tourism on Kiwengwa Island is much higher than on the mainland, creating a divide and preventing many women from moving there. As a result, when a man seeks to marry, his request might be declined due to concerns about cultural assimilation. This emphasizes the need for responsible travel. Instead of imposing our own preferences on local communities, it’s crucial to approach travel as an opportunity for mutual learning and appreciation of the local way of life. Let’s tread lightly and practice purposeful travel— making a positive impact on both the Earth and its people, and leaving meaningful handprints behind. 🖐️
5) BOOTY POP—Dancing is a way of life in many cultures. The first day I taught the beautiful women of Kairo, they pleaded that both myself and my teaching partner-in-crime, Morgan, dance with them (or booty pop)! Those were some of my favorite memories—feeling so at one with the community. It shows that even random acts of silliness, such as (attempting) to shake our booties off 😝, can form a surreal connection.
6) Treat others the way you wish to be treated. I know we hear this repeatedly, but this phrase continuously tugged on my heart while traveling with purpose. No matter where you are, offer people respect and kindness, and you shall receive it back. While I taught English, I found that mutual respect was built between us if I tried to speak Swahili (the local language in Tanzania) and showed my students that I was taking time to learn alongside them while they learned English.
7) Be intentional with the new family you’ve gained abroad. Push yourself to ask questions; you never know what you may learn. By demonstrating a sincere interest in another’s culture and values, you will forge connections that surpass any physical distance. The same goes for the fellow travelers on your trips and your guides—push outside your comfort zone and make an effort with each individual. These friendships will last a lifetime!
8) What you invest your time, energy, and money into reflects the person you want to be. Voting with your dollar, meaning choosing to support businesses, products, and brands that promote the Earth and its communities’ welfare and growth, is a critical responsibility as a global citizen. AND a large part of what it means to travel with purpose.
9) Embrace each day with a heart full of gratitude. The people I met during my travels had an incredible ability to find the good in everything, no matter the challenges they faced. Their unwavering positivity and optimism were a constant source of inspiration. It’s a powerful reminder that we all can choose our mindset, and it’s why I wake up each day ready to count my blessings and approach life with joy.
10) SAY YES to everything you can! If I’ve learned anything from other cultures, it’s to experience the way life is MEANT to be lived. You won’t know what that food tastes like unless you try, you won’t know if you’ll see dolphins in the Indian Ocean unless you jump, and you won’t know where the path will lead you unless you dare to take the first step!
11) You don’t need a lot of things to be happy. Overconsumption in the U.S. is very predominant and many people believe the “things” that make up their lives are what lead to their happiness or success. However, when you travel and experience life amongst new cultures, you realize at the base level, all you truly need are a couple of outfits, an emotional support (refillable) water bottle if you’re like me, and a whole lotta love, community, and connection. Don’t let society persuade you to believe richness is measured in wealth or material things. You can be rich with purpose. The people you surround yourself with and the experiences you take advantage of will fill your cup much more than any material items you can buy.
12) Hakuna Matata! We all know the song – *insert Lion King music* – “It means no worries for the rest of your days…” But I found this to be so true when traveling, and I have chosen to implement it into my life back at home. Worrying does not solve our problems. It leads to more difficulties and stress (emotionally and physically). When I found myself stressing out over travel plans or hurdles I had to face, I found that my body reacted negatively, and my energy drained with it, too. The people you meet abroad show you that no matter their struggles, they take things day by day and always choose to remember ‘Hakuna Matata’ and ‘pole pole.’
13) It’s helpful to know how to politely say “no thank you” in the local language. This simple phrase can be more valuable than you realize. While your presence and patronage can boost income for local businesses, it doesn’t mean you’re obligated to purchase everything offered to you. The key is to show respect and politely decline when necessary 🙂
14) If you’re traveling with GIVE to Tanzania… focus on the lasty stick 🤓
15) Exploring other cultures goes beyond immersing yourself in the people but also in the nature and wildlife inhabiting the area. Ask locals ways to be conscious of the surrounding animals, ensuring you are only a harmless bystander to them. Help preserve both the cultural and natural environment!
16) Embrace the opportunity to give your all when you hold a leadership role in the classroom, particularly as an English teacher for local community members. Access to safe and free education remains a challenge in many parts of the world. Teaching men, women, and children carries both privilege and responsibility, especially when the skills you impart can open doors to new opportunities. Learning English isn’t merely for fun (although at GIVE, it’s SO fun); for many students, it’s a vital lifeline. In areas heavily influenced by tourism, residents often need English proficiency to secure employment and support their families. My students’ unwavering dedication to learning despite their challenges outside the classroom continually inspires me. It’s essential to approach teaching with mindfulness and dedication because the impact you can have goes beyond what you might imagine — just as the influence your students have on you. 🙂
17) Take advantage of long layovers and explore!!! Even a three-hour bus tour can teach you much about a new culture.
18) The best thing you can be is culturally appropriate! Respecting the communities we visit is vital as global citizens. While it might not seem significant to you, personal attire can be meaningful to other cultures with strong values and traditions around dress. It’s important to remember that you’re there to appreciate and respect their way of life, just as you would hope for someone visiting your home to do the same.
19) Learn to power nap anywhere! 🤪 It can come in handy on long days of travel.
20) Before embarking on your travels, it’s crucial to approach with an open mind and recognize that preconceived notions about the culture you’re visiting are often inaccurate. Misinformation and fear can lead to misconceptions that spread quickly. The true experts on cultural life are the local community members who have firsthand experience there. By experiencing another’s richness of life, you can dispel myths and enlighten others about new cultures. Embrace the opportunity to debunk false narratives and share the transformative experiences you encounter!
21) We are One. The connections you make as a global citizen, traveling with purpose, are life-altering. When you fully immerse yourself, you see that it does not matter the language you speak, where you’re from, or your skin color – we are all one. Even if you can’t understand what someone is saying, you can feel their heart and grow an unspeakable bond. That is what makes being a human so unique. I have a friend from Tanzania who does not speak any English, and when I temporarily lived in Moshi, we communicated every day with smiles, laughter, energy, DANCE, and, when needed, Google Translate 🙂
Thank you for taking the time to reflect on the lessons I’ve learned from diverse cultures. These experiences have profoundly shifted my perspectives and inspired me to pursue my passions. On a trip with GIVE, you can gain similar insights and embark on meaningful adventures by traveling with purpose! Wherever your journey takes you, remember to shine your lights and make a positive impact like the incredible global citizens I know you are.