5 Ways Traveling Alters Your Personality

Discovering new territory is something we all enjoy doing. Why not take the time to immerse yourself in new culture? Long-term adventures have the ability to alter one's personality. A group of German college students were studied by a doctor and researcher who were out to prove just that. One group traveled abroad while the other stayed local. The trial's goals were to determine how the extended travel period would influence personality. Each participant was required to take a test that measured the "Big Five" personality attributes: openness to experience, agreeableness, extroversion, emotional stability and contentiousness prior to traveling. When they returned, the same test was taken again and results were compared. The students who traveled abroad most definitely scored higher in extroversion and high engagement when it came to social interaction. In addition, they scored higher in contentiousness, openness to experience, emotional stability and agreeableness. In what ways can traveling shape your personality?

Look at life from entirely different perspectives

Being enclosed makes you take the simple things for granted. When you experience diversity, you appreciate all the small things in life. Like, riding transit, using the telephone etc.

Being a free, wild spirit

Life is just life, and all things happen for a reason. As a traveler, you react to certain things accordingly, and move on.

Stepping out of your comfort zone

In order to escape your comfort zone, you need to step inside someone else's shoes. Involve yourself in an entirely new atmosphere.

Meeting new people and making friends is the first step to being open

When traveling, you can't help but notice the way one lives. Be open to new relationships and allow yourself to be a part of their culture.

Don't let the small things get in your way

Now, that you've experienced diversity, don't you think it's time to re-think the way you live? Embrace obstacles that appear in your path.

Enhance your creativity

Living in another culture and adapting to its best practices enables you to become more creative and spontaneous. Don't be afraid to try something different. What's your intake on all this?