Six Traveling Myths
You Don't Need Vaccines or A Social Security Number to Leave the United States
I just received my German residence visa at the beginning of this month1. I want to celebrate by debunking six myths of travel.
Once I believed I could never travel because of things I'd been told.
Some research (and travel) have taught me that myth is mostly spread by people who are pessimists — this is a universal truth. People are pretty much the same everywhere. Most people are full of good intentions though fueled by heartfelt ignorance, and the thorough rotten apples are as rare as those who are completely pure gems.
I am currently an Au Pair in Stuttgart, Germany2. It is my first time out overseas. Some would say I should be experiencing culture shock anytime soon, but I don't see that happening as I have already traveling extensively in the States experienced so many wild things in life. How can one more place, be it another country, possibly phase me?
I like to think that the US is so huge and diverse that it's impossible for any single tiny country to upset me. Though I could end up being proved wrong. We shall see.
Six Traveling Myths:
1. You must be vaccinated to travel overseas
When I first told people I wanted to go to Germany I was told, "Sounds fun, but personally traveling isn't worth getting vaccinated."
That I might even need to get vaccinated didn’t cross my mind when I first applied online to be an Au Pair. I'd researched going, and vaccinations never once came up as a requirement. I was raised unvaccinated and believe vaccinations cause more harm than help in first world3 countries, and so I didn't like the idea of having to get shots to travel.
When some random person told me I would need vaccines, I did some googling but couldn't find solid answers. My mom said my grandparents had a book on how to travel without being vaccinated (my grandfather is a naturopathic doctor). So I asked them for the book. But they told me the book was outdated, and that I couldn't travel in this day and age without immunizations of some sort. They too, did their best to dissuade me from even trying.
However, I was determined, and decided I'd just go and see what happened.
This could’ve stopped me. Which makes it all the more crazy — I didn’t need to look into any loopholes, because this ended up being a non-issue. Nobody asked for proof of immunizations. The family I'm staying with in Germany bought me health insurance, but I didn't even have to be present in person for that as they bought it before I arrived in Germany. The health insurance company only wanted my birth information.
You can travel unvaccinated. You may have a harder time in third world countries, I'm not sure. Guess I should go to Africa next just to see.
2. You need a social security number
If you've been reading this blog for any amount of time you’ll realize that this is an obvious myth.
However, any amount of logic should tell you it's certainly false. Social security numbers are American. It might be hard to get a passport without one, but I did it. Aside from that, another country isn’t going to ask you for a number that isn’t a part of their system, therefore it is not requested in the visa process.
Visas are basically stamps of permission from the other country to enter, work, or reside in their country. They do not care about your American status, as long as you have enough money to not be a vagrant in their country.
3. It’s neither safe nor appropriate for girls to travel alone
I hear this even when I'm traveling in the states.
Perhaps there's an ounce of truth to it. Or maybe a lot more than an ounce. I'm not going to deny that life is dangerous, and it’s statistically more dangerous for women than men.
But whether you're a girl or a guy, whether you're in your house or some strange place, there will always be risks.
Life is one big long string of choosing which risks and precautions are worth taking. You can't escape death; its coming is inevitable and mysterious for every one of us. But we can accept the gift of life and live it as fully as we are each able.
That being said, there are precautions a "good girl" with a set of morals and decent desires will follow. Don't visit bars, don't go to some drunk festival, don't walk down dark alleys, avoid places with loud music. Find good friends and hang out with those sort of people. Whether you're home, or traveling, surround yourself with righteous people and you’re usually safer than not.
No matter where you live or where you go, if you follow the same basic principles and values you'll reap the same sort of consequences good or bad. Yes, bad things might still happen to good girls traveling. But, the sad truth of life is that bad things happen to good girls under their own roofs, in their home towns everywhere on Earth.
We were never called to be safe, but to be wise. And wisdom knows that one is never safe, and thus must be brave and live regardless.
I'll add one final point. Traveling isn't some modern feminist advantage that women have. Girls and women have always traveled, often alone. It was a mark of a cultured and educated woman to have been abroad. Sometimes that time abroad meant studying at an art school, or living with distant relatives for a summer, or helping out an elderly aunt in trade of a widening experience.
Even in Biblical times, girls traveled, whether to visit and work at the temple, or to go stay with another family, or to be “mail-ordered brides”. The story of Rebekah and Isaac is one of the most craziest traveling experience one could ever have!
To all the girls wanting to travel, if you want to do it, do it. But do it with purpose. Don't go abroad to be wild, but to learn. You'll find that you are actually pretty safe and have a much fuller experience than those who travel for a mere two weeks to take selfies at some tourist attraction.
I've stepped out of my comfort zone many times. Though not in ways that would cause actual danger to my soul or purity, but ways that have stretched my skills and knowledge. This sort of thing is always good for women, and will create the sort of woman who can both rock the cradle and rule (righteously) the world.
4. Traveling is tourism
No, there are many options for those wanting to experience the world outside of their home environment.
As I've said above, I am an Au Pair in Germany. It is easy to become an Au Pair in just about any first world country and a handful of others. Just google for places to apply online, and you'll find many. Or you can go as an exchange student, work at a farm or ranch, or if you know somebody, try seeing if you can stay with them for a time. Living with someone or working in another country is the best way to learn about that culture.
If you like you can still do touristy things. But try going outside of the box. A friend and I recently went to Berlin, and while we spent the first day doing touristy things, the second day we visited Dietrich Bonhoeffer's house and then went flea marketing and thrift store shopping—who wants to buy junk at tourist shops when you can find authentic things for discounted prices elsewhere?
5. Traveling is Expensive
I know this lady who has eight children and while they are not wealthy, they make a point to travel often because she believes it's good for her children to see other ways of life and have a broader view of the world and its people.
You can always afford what you value.
It doesn't take a lot of money to travel, it just takes a bit of planning and a little self-denial.
You have to sacrifice all those snacks and drinks you'd like so that those dollars can be put away for a plane ticket (or maybe gas money for a road trip). Then you have to endure long headaches as you spend up to hours looking for the best deals in flights, or planning your route.
Further sacrifice is involved when it come to the question of where will you sleep. Hotels add up. If you're driving, make your car practical for sleeping. If you have lots of people and just need that room ... squish people together. If you're flying and that plane was canceled, just spend the night in the airport (yes, I've done this). If you're overseas I highly recommend checking out hostels as they are usually no more than $10 a night. For girls, I'd recommend getting a women's dorm to sleep in. I know people who think hostels are dangerous, but it's not.
As in anything, be wise, and just go for it. Travel lightly, buy sparingly, walk when you can, and sleep where you are. If you follow those simple rules, you'll find that traveling isn't so bad.
"But a plane ticket isn't cheap," many say.
Yes, that's technically true. I spent a little over $1000 for a round trip to Germany. I'm not going to say that's not a lot of money. But I value traveling, and so it was worth the price. And since I view these six months as education, a thousand bucks is nothing for an education.
It's all about the perspective and what you want.
6. Traveling is lonely and boring
As an extrovert, I'll admit that the first few times I've traveled, it was lonely. I took it personally when the person next to me would just sit down, insert his earphones, and ignore me on the whole flight.
But traveling has also balanced the introverted side of myself to such an extent that sometimes I really love being alone. I still prefer to enjoy things with other people, but I can now appreciate beauty on my own and live with my thoughts for hours and days at a time.
Sometimes that is lonely. Sometimes I do wish for an in depth conversation. But there's always a remedy for any problem, if you just think on it hard enough.
Besides, there are other people that like to travel and meet other people. Not every person sitting next to me on a plane has been rude. I've had many great conversations with my seat buddy. Furthermore, America isn't the only country with churches or social events. You have to look for them. Invitations don't come knocking at doors. With a bit of will power and a lot of nerve, it's impossible to stay lonely for long.
As for being boring, it's all in your perspective. One can learn to have a lot of fun in the quiet, slow paced moments. I don't know about you, but I've been learning that peace is far from boring. Through traveling, I have developed many new tastes, including hiking and visiting attractions on my own. And I've also become very much at home with myself.
I hate how the word has become misused, but it's quite empowering to become more satisfied in who you are and with the world you live in. Traveling isn't something I lightly recommend. It will grow you in ways you never thought possible, will open you to other ideas, and will test you in everything you believe.
Do you like to travel? What are myths you've heard and debunked simply by doing? Do you relate to any of the things I've shared? Share your thoughts with me in the comments, and if you've enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends!
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2019
Winter of 2019
I see the need for them in third world countries, or in places where people live unhealthy lifestyles