Passport Shaming

I recently saw a meme on Instagram that read “In 2016 if you don’t have a passport, you’re basic”. At first, it made me chuckle. Then, I remembered that a lot of my friends don’t have passports and they aren’t basic because of it. My first introduction to domestic travel was at 9 when my dad packed my entire family into our ford cougar and drove us across the United States.  My first introduction to international travel didn’t come until the age of 21. I went to China alone for an internship. I was scared, nervous, naive, and by the second day I was ready to go home. I had no prior experience with international travel and it became clear to me that I had so much to learn.

Travel can be scary, especially international travel. Booking your first trip out of the country is never as simple as just paying for your ticket and showing up for the flight. If you were not exposed to the limitless possibilities of travel growing up, the further you ascend into adulthood, the further away the possibility of seeing the world seems to fade.

Although travel is becoming more common amongst young Americans, it has not become the social norm. When I see someone who probably has travel experience repost something that pokes fun at novice travelers, it pisses me off. It is clear that people are now using travel as a social status booster in the same way that people use designer labels to make themselves feel like they are better than others. Travel is about the experience, the connection, and the growth. I have been insanely blessed with so much travel experience at my age and I feel responsible to encourage other to get out there and experience the world in their own way.

So before you repost a discouraging meme or use pictures from last trip to “stunt” on the gram, try reaching out and educating the next person about travel so they can experience it as well.