Travel as Lifelong Learning (a.k.a. Why I STILL Don't Understand Cricket)

As someone who’s spent time around educators, learning designers, and behavior change folks, I’ve come to appreciate that lifelong learning isn’t just about taking classes or collecting certificates. It’s about staying curious—continuously expanding what you know, how you think, and how you relate to the world. A learning professional might say it’s the ongoing, voluntary, and self-motivated pursuit of knowledge for personal or professional growth. But I’d add: it’s a mindset. It’s about noticing, absorbing, and evolving. And in my experience, there’s no richer environment for that than travel.

Luanda, Angola – Sometimes learning starts with just seeing a place for what it is today, not only what it was yesterday. Travel can challenge outdated assumptions and invite new context.

One thing I’ve been realizing more and more over the past few years, especially after visiting every country in the world, dozens of territories, and countless regions within them—is that I’ve only just scratched the surface. The more you travel, the bigger your world becomes. And with that expansion comes a buffet of learning opportunities that you’d never find in a textbook or a traditional classroom.

Travel has a funny way of teaching you things without ever labeling them “lessons.” You stumble into learning. Sometimes it’s a crash course in humility. Sometimes it’s realizing you packed entirely the wrong clothes for Siberia in winter. But often, it’s a pattern you start to recognize: past travel (and life) experiences quietly inform future ones. You start drawing parallels, adjusting quicker, and getting comfortable in unfamiliar territory. (This is where I usually quote that famous George W. Bush gem: “There are known knowns… there are known unknowns… and there are unknown unknowns.” Travel is mostly that third one.)

Take food, for example. Every culture has something unique to teach through its cuisine. You can start simple—try a dish you've never heard of, take a short class, or dive deep with a week at a cooking school. It’s hands-on, delicious, and often full of hilarious “mistakes.” (Shoutout to the time I tried to make pelmeni in Russia…. Let’s just say mine were...not the most geometric.)

St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery, Kyiv – Exploring religious history and architectural design is another form of deep cultural learning. Bonus: great spot to taste traditional Ukrainian borscht after a cold day of wandering.

Or maybe it's language. No one’s asking you to become fluent before your flight (except maybe Duolingo), but a little effort goes a long way. Locals can spot a trier a mile away. Even a clumsy “thank you” in the native language tends to break down barriers and open unexpected doors. I've gotten entire meals comped, directions drawn on the side of a building in chalk, and once a marriage proposal just as a thank you for trying.

Kata Tjuta, Australia – Learning indigenous names, traditions, and perspectives is an act of respect. This is not “The Olgas” anymore, and respecting native names matters.

You can also lean into local sports or dance. I still don’t understand the rules of cricket, Aussie Rules Football, or several other national pastimes. And don’t even get me started on my dancing ability. But just watching or trying them brings you closer to the heartbeat of a place and the mindset of its people.

The Giant Lobster of Shediac, Canada – You might not learn much about sports here, but you will learn that every place has its quirks. Humor is part of the curriculum, too.

Then there’s the underrated school of “getting lost.” Turn off Google Maps. Wander. Take the wrong tram. Ride a rickshaw, a horse, or a local river boat. You’ll notice small details: signage, city rhythms, and smells that teach you about a place more deeply than any tour. You may even learn more about your own comfort levels and instincts than you bargained for.

Lake Lucerne, Switzerland – Learning comes by boat, too. Try the less convenient, more scenic option and you’ll often be rewarded with insights (and views) you never expected.

All of this is why I truly believe travel is one of the most powerful lifelong learning tools out there. You’re constantly a student, whether you mean to be or not. Every destination has a syllabus—you just have to show up willing to take the class.

Bondi to Coogee walk, Sydney – Local commutes double as lessons in geology, oceanography, and café etiquette (flat white before noon is non-negotiable).

George Bernard Shaw once said, “We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” The same could be said about learning. When we stop learning, we stop really living. Travel helps keep your brain awake, curious, and ideally occasionally confused in a good way.

Soviet TU-144 in Monino, Russia – Not everything you learn is useful. But learning for curiosity’s sake? That’s the best kind. I have an irrational love of airplanes and can quote airplane makes and models well past the point it’s useful for much of anything.

What about you? I’d love to hear about something you’ve learned recently while traveling. It doesn’t have to be profound. Maybe you figured out how to ride a scooter in Southeast Asia, or finally understood why everyone raves about Georgian wine. Hit reply or leave a comment and share your latest travel-fueled “a-ha” moment!