5 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD MEET LOCALS WHEN TRAVELING TO NEW PLACES

So you’ve finally packed your bags and planned that much awaited solo adventure. Being new in a foreign land with so many strange people that you don’t know and can’t understand can make socializing a difficult experience. If you’re looking for a few tips on how to get acquainted with locals in a foreign land and reasons why you should, then you’ve come to the right place. Here are 5 reasons why you should meet locals when traveling to new places.

IT’S A FIRST HAND EXPERIENCE OF A FOREIGN CULTURE

Traveling to new places gives the opportunity to learn about a new culture from first-hand experience. Sure, you can always read a book or watch a documentary about the same place but nothing beats being able to walk the same streets with someone who lives there and having them tell you more about what you’re seeing. Not only are you going to experience a new culture but you’re also going to understand it.

YOU CAN LEARN A NEW LANGUAGE

Immersing yourself in a new culture provides you with one of the best opportunities to learn a new language. You will have to interact with locals for almost everything whether it be asking for directions, paying for groceries or even bargaining.

YOU CAN LEARN NEW HOBBIES

Being in a new city means you’re free to try out new things that maybe you wouldn’t have in your hometown or perhaps even which aren’t available in the place that you come from. The best part – you will have to interact with the locals to learn this new skill which means you’re meeting new people and learning from them too.

YOU DEVELOP COMPASSION FOR THE WORLD AROUND YOU

Being in a foreign land means you won’t always understand the words being spoken around you but that doesn’t mean you can’t form an emotional connection. Just because you don’t know the words doesn’t mean you can’t interact, feel or relate. A smile looks the same in any language. Love feels the same in any language and so does compassion. Take the time to smile when interacting with locals. Do some people watching and learn more about the communities around, their loves, hardships and heartbreaks. Not only will you build connections and form bonds but you will also become a global citizen with a deep understanding for different cultures.

YOU GAIN LIFE EXPERIENCES

Traveling gives you more than just beautiful memories. It gives you time to think, observe and learn new things about the big wide world.  By meeting locals you learn about how certain things are done around the world – things that you may have done differently back home. By learning about others and their way of life, you’re also learning about yourself and gaining inspiration to live a better and much happier life.