Travel the World- Pecha Kucha Presentation

Summary

The speaker recounts their journey from a corporate worker to an international educator, sparked by a desire to travel. They share the transformative impact of living abroad, teaching in South Korea, and traveling extensively. The narrative highlights the importance of experiencing different cultures, the profound lessons from history witnessed firsthand in places like Hiroshima, and the joy of discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations. The speaker encourages others to embrace travel, suggesting it offers a richer life experience than typical vacations and is a valuable education for children.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The speaker was inspired to travel the world after high school but was held back by financial constraints and lack of vacation time.
• 💼 The daily grind of corporate America left the speaker feeling frustrated and unfulfilled, despite initial happiness.
• 🏫 A chance encounter with an old friend introduced the speaker to teaching English in South Korea, which became a turning point in their life.
• 📚 The process of preparing to live abroad, including obtaining a passport, was exciting and felt like a ticket to the world.
• 🗣️ Teaching English abroad not only provided a job but also opened up opportunities for extensive travel.
• 🧳 The speaker emphasizes the importance of experiencing different cultures firsthand, which is more educational than reading about them.
• 🍣 Travel allows for trying new and sometimes exotic foods, which can be a memorable part of the journey.
• 🏞️ Visiting lesser-known destinations can provide a more authentic and peaceful experience compared to crowded tourist hotspots.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Traveling with children can be a great educational experience, fostering a broader worldview and acceptance of diversity.
• 🏖️ The speaker advises against all-inclusive resort packages, recommending hostels or guesthouses for a more immersive cultural experience.
• 🌟 The speaker concludes by encouraging everyone to start traveling, as it's never too late to enrich one's life through new experiences.

Q & A

What did the author dream of doing after high school?

The author dreamed of backpacking Europe for 3 to 6 months after finishing high school.

Why was the author unable to travel after college?

The author was unable to travel due to financial constraints and student loans, as well as a lack of sufficient vacation time from work.

How did the author's perspective on travel change after meeting an old school friend?

The author's perspective on travel changed when an old school friend introduced them to the idea of teaching English in South Korea, which seemed like a challenge they needed.

What was the significance of getting a passport for the author?

Getting a passport was significant for the author because it symbolized their ticket to the world and marked the beginning of their travel adventures.

At what age did the author leave the United States for the first time?

The author left the United States for the first time at the age of 28.

What was the author's first teaching experience like in South Korea?

The author's first teaching experience was challenging because they had never taught before and had to learn quickly, but they ended up falling in love with teaching.

Why did the author decide to get a Masters in Education?

The author decided to get a Masters in Education to help them begin teaching at a university.

What was a profound experience the author had in Hiroshima, Japan?

A profound experience the author had in Hiroshima was sitting on a bench looking at the skeleton of the only building that survived the atomic bomb and picturing the explosion.

What advice does the author give about trying new foods while traveling?

The author advises to try new and sometimes strange foods from other countries with a little courage, as it can be a memorable part of the travel experience.

Why does the author recommend avoiding all-inclusive hotel resort packages?

The author recommends avoiding all-inclusive hotel resort packages because they rarely offer cultural and educational experiences, and the author suggests going somewhere to make meaningful memories.

What is the author's opinion on traveling with children?

The author believes that children can and should travel too, as it provides them with a valuable education and a broader perspective on the world.