Why 'Wanting to Travel' Isn't Enough
Strengthening your resolve to succeed when challenges arise from abroad.
In our ongoing discussion about building cultural intelligence, the first step, Drive, focuses on improving your understanding of motivations when facing challenges.
The Illusion of Idealistic Motivation
"Moving abroad" sounds more like an escape these days; the new foods, the new people, a fresh start. I get it—I thought the same way when I moved to China. But other than "escaping," what exactly is your motivation for living abroad?
I've always been a fan of straightforward truths, so I will give it to you straight: idealistic motivation falls apart when confronted with a challenge. For me, that moment came when a mother told me I couldn't teach her daughter English because I was Black—and no one seemed to care (that’s a story for another time). At that moment, despite the complex feelings I experienced, I had two choices: either being frustrated or becoming strategic.
What Keeps You Going When Things Get Hard?
Unfortunately, many companies overlook the importance of preparation because they underestimate cultural differences and nuances. This often leaves travelers feeling unprepared for what they’ll actually experience (Eric, 2023). In my experience working with universities to help students transition overseas, I've noticed a consistent pattern. Those who returned home often romanticized their experiences, while those who truly thrived usually had a thoughtful plan in place and a motivating factor to keep them grounded. The successful viewed their global experience as a valuable skill rather than just an enjoyable adventure, which highlights how much reflecting on your motivations can go a long way.
How to Strengthen Your Motivation
Make it Bigger Than Just Travel: What kind of person do you want to become through this experience? Understanding why you're doing this and having a goal is what will keep you grounded.
Prepare for Challenges: Anticipate obstacles; however, you can prepare by learning about culture shock, local biases, and ways to adapt when the unexpected happens. Preparation fosters resilience.
Tie it to Growth: What skills will traveling abroad help you develop? How does it align with your future goals? Accept that your learning will never stop. Cultural intelligence is a continuous skill that evolves with experience.
Final Thoughts
Strengthening your ‘why’ is key if you want to thrive abroad. Motivation is not just what starts you on your journey but keeps you going when challenges arise.
Drop a comment—I'd love to hear what motivates you.
Reference: Reic, I. (2023). Understanding Expatriates' Cultural Adjustment and Performance in International Assignments. The Qualitative Report, 28(9), 2814-2833. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2023.5918
This is a great read. My curiosity of learning from natives pushes me out of my comfort zone when I travel. I know that every place you visit will not be as welcoming as others. We have to put in perspective of how people are taught about others and what they are taught whether it’s right or wrong. Always be safe but keep an open mind.
In my experiences traveling abroad I was pushed outside of my comfort zone to connect with people and learn about the culture of the places I visited. It taught me about my own strength and resilience and helped me to tap into a confidence that I didn't know I could possess before that. And it has helped me to understand that that my "normal" wasn't normal for everyone and there are so many other ways that people can live and exist and feel fully alive and successful that don't require earning 6-7 figures a year and driving the fanciest car or owning multiple homes.
So the other part of what motivates me is tapping into the deep inner knowing that I am full and whole and can be happy just by being and keeping my being open to connection in all the places I choose to travel and exist. And allowing that to not only teach me about myself, but about what it means to fully live and be alive as a human by learning from the people and truly connecting with them and immersing myself in the different cultures I encounter. Travel redefines the meaning of life to me time and time again.