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Why more Americans don't travel abroad
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Sho_Nuff82
Member
I wonder how different this would be if we had subsidized undergraduate like a lot of Western Europe, or "gap year" like Australia/New Zealand.
Phoenix
Member
Per capita there are a lot more of them traveling overseas than there are of us. Some of that has to do with the strength of the Euro vs the dollar, and a lot of it has to do with the insane fear that Americans seem to have when discussing foreign travel (heaven forbid you mention the middle east - you'd think the Taliban was just shooting people when they stepped off the plane). There is also a huge cultural factor as well. Certain groups seem to be more interested in cruising than in really going overseas.
Vacation I think is one of the bigger issues. Even if someone has 2 weeks of vacation, being able to take it all at once isn't usually accepted.
It's a shame. Been to Europe, and China. Would love to go to South America, and Korea/Japan. Just getting older, less and less free time.
It's a shame. Been to Europe, and China. Would love to go to South America, and Korea/Japan. Just getting older, less and less free time.
Australians love traveling abroad, but they also have more time off.
Also for students, they can take out interest free loans from the government for overseas expenses.
Personally I love traveling (and am trying to plan a trip across the atlantic for this summer) but I understand why more Americans don't do it. It's a pain in the ass to get to any fully developed countries that aren't Canada. Not only is it costly, it's stressful
For people on the east coast you are looking at 6+ hours flight just to the West Coast, then almost 20 hours to somewhere before more time connecting to SE Asian. If I am flying from London to Thailand it is only about 12 hours
No time or money are reasons I can understand, but it baffles me that there are so many people (not only Americans) with no desire to see other countries. There is literally not a single country on Earth that I wouldn't want to see and get to know.
BTW, "my country has so much to see and do" is all well and good, but that's true in literally every country. It's not a reason to avoid international travel.
BTW, "my country has so much to see and do" is all well and good, but that's true in literally every country. It's not a reason to avoid international travel.
I met a guy at a bar in bumblefuck Wisconsin just outside of Madison whose only "journey" in his 40-some years of living was traveling to Dubuque, Iowa. I just don't get it.
terrisus
Member
Unless you have thousands in debt, in which case every $100 you "save" is $100 that could go toward paying down debt... And, since you didn't use it to pay the debt, the $100 is accumulating additional debt on it every month.
Interesting read. I just spent a little over a month in Thailand and Laos. I came across far more Europeans and other nationalities than Americans. I think the biggest factor is the employment culture in the US. Back in my cube-jockey days I took a couple ~10 day trips to Europe and Hong Kong. Once you finally get there and recover from the jet lag it's practically time to turn back around (not really, but a week is barely enough time to really explore a country). And when you're past the entry level jobs in the corporate world, taking any more time off than that is usually impractical for a number of reasons -- falling behind, burning all your time off for the entire year, etc. Add in the other reasons from the OP and it makes sense why the numbers are so low.
But this is just sad.
But this is just sad.
Look it's not possible for everyone of course, but with the amount of money people spend on video games on this forum they could easily cut back and travel instead.
Brofist
Member
True time is an issue. But Americans even prioritize time differently. When I worked at a company in the States my coworkers always used their time off to do the regular leasurely stuff they liked to do, like watching movies and stuff. When I worked in other countries people traveled more often. A week off for a Japanese person is like a potential 10 country tour of Europe
water_wendi
Water is not wet!
i dont make much money and i dont get vacations. Its been about 10 years since ive even had the opportunity for a vacation. If you are in the UK you can go to France for the weekend. i cant go across the world for the weekend so i go to places nearby that can be done in a couple days.
terrisus
Member
This is true.
But still, the amount of money required to be cut back on is significantly more than it is in many European countries where one can just hop in their car, drive for a couple of hours, and be in another country.
And of course that's even easier for countries within the Schengen Area.
Well of course but sometimes you gotta make that sacrifice to go do something awesome later.
entremet
Member
Not just games by ancillary costs--monitors, new hardware, pc upgrades, sound systems, etc.
If it makes people happy, go for it. But I knew this girl that make 45k in NYC, which is not too much money here, and did two big international vacations per year.
I think people are overestimating the price factor. You just have to be resourceful.
jim-jam bongs
Member
I get that it's expensive, I'm Australian so it costs a lot to get anywhere but Asia or New Zealand. Despite that, I can't emphasise enough that experiencing different cultures is absolutely worth every cent.
Currently I live in the US, so I know that it's very diverse here. However, travelling your own country isn't even remotely as confronting or interesting as going abroad. For what it's worth, I enthusiastically encourage US GAF to do what it takes to see more of the world.
Currently I live in the US, so I know that it's very diverse here. However, travelling your own country isn't even remotely as confronting or interesting as going abroad. For what it's worth, I enthusiastically encourage US GAF to do what it takes to see more of the world.
Traveling is one of the greatest things to me, I coud never imagine being stuck in my country... Nothing comes close to meeting and seeing different cultures and trying out new stuff you have never seen before.
I'd rather live in a small apartment and drive a small car, than not travel...
I'd rather live in a small apartment and drive a small car, than not travel...
terrisus
Member
This is true.
But it's part of the answer to "Why more Americans don't travel abroad."
It's far more difficult to save up $1200, book a plane and arrange a place to stay (to say nothing of all the passport and visa stuff), than it is to save up 100 in gas money and flash your super-special ID that grants you all-access to a wide variety of countries.
One can say it's still worth the cost and process, but it's something that's present for Americans that many European countries don't have to deal with.
Yes but for many people here playing videogames is their past-time. In order to save up for an annual international trip one might have to basically give up their hobby.
It is a good point though. A year's worth of videogames, or a nice new HDTV, or whatever, could otherwise be a week in europe or something. It's a choice people make.
Come to think of it, I've spent so long saving up for something I considered a priority, and finally got it taken care of a couple months ago, I should maybe start saving up for an international trip. It's fucking hard living paycheck to paycheck though.
BocoDragon
or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Realize This Assgrab is Delicious
Travelling within the EU is more like travelling between US states anyway.
Yeah. I try to spend my money on food and travel. I don't ever really buy myself things gadgets, games and whatnot anymore. I'd much rather travel than buy stuff.
terrisus
Member
That's kind of what I'm getting at, yeah.
entremet
Member
Huh? People are friendlier than you give them credit. You're not going to North Korea lol.
Also to reiterate what other people have brought up, the amount of paid time off people get in the US is a real issue. Like myself for example, I get three weeks (15 days). That includes sick days. I can only imagine if it were two weeks, sure that would technically be enough time for a week trip to another country, but I also need that for sick time, a trip up north I take with my father every year, a few days off to spend with my family for a couple holidays every year......you know, normal stuff people do in their lives. Fitting a real vacation in there would be impossible.
ThoseDeafMutes
Member
My fellow Australians are everywhere, it's a fucking cancer. My walking tour of Berlin contained about 30 people, and more than 12 of them were Australian. Every Hostel I stayed in had a bunch of them I met staying in the same rooms or at the bars. Would love to see stats on Australian travel habbits. There's the stereotype of every bartender in London being an Aussie, too.
EDIT:
https://www.passports.gov.au/Web/PassportHistory.aspx
50% of Australians have passports. Goddamn.
EDIT:
https://www.passports.gov.au/Web/PassportHistory.aspx
50% of Australians have passports. Goddamn.
Yeah and I understand that but the way I look at it is when I'm 70 would I have rather spent my money on a hobby or seeing the world? The answer won't be the same for everyone but it's pretty clear to me.
entremet
Member
One the most prolific travelers I knew was my Jr. HS Math teacher. He went everywhere. All on a modest salary. I'm guessing the summers off helped.
He did this all carefully planned over decades too. He was from rich.
The Technomancer
card-carrying scientician
Looking at trains in Europe, the pricing is actually kind of weird it seems. Going from London to Berlin would be like $150. Going from Lubeck to Berlin would be like $130, even though its a much shorter trip...
entremet
Member
If you go to Europe, get a Eurail pass. It will pay for itself very quickly. It's an amazing value.
It's not an unlimited travel pass, but it lowers your ticket rates and gives you some nice perks.
Doesn't explain why Australians, New Zealanders, Israelis, Canadians and Japanese are overrepresented abroad compared to Americans. They face the same challenges.
terrisus
Member
This is also true.
I didn't say it fully explained everything for everyone.
But it certainly is part of the reason for many at least.
Chezzymann
Member
I'd love to have the will to travel the world, but I haven't even worked up the courage to have a decent self confidence yet. Gotta walk before you run.
Central and South America are generally cheaper and are viable as well.
Sho_Nuff82
Member
Are young twenty-somethings in those nations saddled with tens of thousands in student loan debt and questionable medical insurance as well?
Honest question, how's the English speaking population in those Americas vs Europe? A lot of English seems to be taught in European schools so I figure those are also more desirable for that reason.
If you're worried about English visit Belize. It doesn't have to be Europe. We have plenty of countries on our continent to visit as well as they do.
bodyboarder
Member
Agreed. I was on a contiki tour a while back and literally half the people were Australian.
Reading this thread has really made me appreciate how much time off we get in Australia.
You can easily travel in South America knowing just 30 words of spanish.
acheron_xl
Member
Pretty much this. I'd love to see something other than the Midwest, but I've never taken more than two consecutive vacation days off in my life, and even that was years ago.
Why?
Australians: Where can you possibly vacation in this country ruled by spiders? Perhaps Berlin, in neighboring Germany.
New Zealand: Tiny country, practically no variety compared to the US. Its all mountains and hobbits.
Israel: Tiny country, all deserts and burning bushes.
Canada: Ice ages
Japan: Tiny sliver of a country, far less varied culture. Europe and US has FAR more variety. Also, giant monster attacks.
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