Travel as a Part of Education

Travel as a Part of Education

Travel, in the younger sort, is a part of education; in the elder, a part of experience.
                - Francis Bacon

We can acquire a great deal of knowledge from books. But it is only second hand knowledge. By travelling we come into direct contact with things that we wish to know. Our knowledge of a distant land gained from numerous textbooks cannot stand comparison with that which a month's travel there would give us. Travel gives a character of experience to our knowledge.

By travelling we not only gain knowledge but broaden our nature. Like the frog in the well, the man who sticks to his home has a narrow vision of the world. As Shakespeare says, " Rather see the wonders of the world abroad than, living duly sluggarized at home, wear out thy youth with shapeless idleness. "

In the places we travel about we are able to encounter men of different nature, customs and habbits and learn to deal with them. We also learn to adapt ourselves to new manners and customs. We cultivate caution, forbearance and tact. And that is one of the chief aims of education.

Travel also helps us brush up our knowledge of a foreign language. If, for example, we travel about England for a few weeks, we shall be able to speak English better through our contact with native speakers.