Traveling to another state, country, or even across the globe are all things teens dream about doing today. With all the technology in the world and the privileges that come with it, international travel has become a reality to many. But, have Americans really been taking advantage of these chances we have to visit and experience other countries?

According to www.nomadicmatt.com, only 40% of Americans have a passport and that number is only slightly growing because it was recently required to have one to enter Mexico and Canada. There are 14.6 million US overseas travelers a year. That number may sound high, but it is actually only less than 5% of all US residents. Many Americans have not even fully explored their own country let alone try to visit other ones. Some people argue that there is no need to go out and travel to different countries because America has just about every vacation climate you could think of. People are reluctant to step out of their comfort zones because they think there is no need to.  But, this is just not the case.

There are many benefits in traveling to another country. It gives people a break from their everyday lives and gives them an opportunity to sit back and relax. There are many parks and famous landmarks that can be seen, and it would be super cool to be able to say you saw the Eiffel Tower or the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Along with amazing views, people are able to take on new challenges and do things they thought they never could. Going on trips around the world creates lifelong memories that people do not forget. Experiencing new cultures gives the traveler new perspectives and may actually have a huge impact on their life.

So while the number of Americans traveling overseas is not that high, there will always be the travel enthusiasts willing to step out of their comfort zones. I also understand finance problems and not being in the right conditions to travel, but I hope in the near future the opportunity to see the rest of the world will become easier for those who want to.