After making a few bucks from my first teaching gig at the local community college, I decided to recharge on the shores of Florida’s Atlantic coast. It followed the end of a long-term relationship with my son’s mother, and this solo trip became a turning point in my life. I returned home with a renewed sense of energy and purpose.
Not long after, I bought The Chronicles of Young Indiana Jones, a fun series to watch with my son, who loved adventure as much as I did. We were already huge fans of Indy, but this show gave us a glimpse into how he became the fearless academic and explorer. I used to joke with my students that Indiana Jones was my alter ego.
Watching that series with my son and reflecting on my trip to Florida reinforced something I’ve always believed: travel is a powerful form of education. It teaches about the world, culture, and even ourselves. I decided then that I wanted to give my son the kind of education only travel could provide.
When he was obsessed with dinosaurs, I took him to Jurassic Park at Universal in Orlando. When he dreamed of becoming a film director, we visited L.A. And at ten, when his interest turned to politics, we journeyed to Washington, D.C., where we retraced Lincoln’s steps, toured the Capitol, and visited Mount Vernon.
I believe experiences like these plant the seeds for growth. Parents may be the soil, teachers the sun, but travel is the rain. It doesn’t always come, but when it does, it can be the difference between thriving or not. Could our trip to Washington have sparked his passion for politics? He’s currently running for mayor of our hometown, and I often think back to the photo of him deep in thought at the Lincoln Memorial, wondering if it holds the answer.
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