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Want to be an international traveler? It’s more possible than you might think. See how many Americans travel abroad, and how you can get cheap flights.
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A recent survey from the Pew Research Center uncovered some interesting findings about Americans’ travel to other countries. A surprisingly large percentage of Americans have international travel experience, and these global adventures have affected their perspectives in powerful ways.
Are you a longtime world traveler and frequent flyer? Or are you still getting ready to apply for a passport for the first time? No matter where you fall on the spectrum of world travel experience, you might enjoy these insights about how Americans travel — and how international travel changes people’s lives.
Let’s look at a few surprising insights from the Pew Research Center on how Americans travel abroad.
A large majority of Americans have traveled to other countries
I’m an American who has spent time living and traveling in other countries. And sometimes I’ve gotten the impression that people from other countries have a stereotype about Americans. They tend to believe that lots of Americans haven’t visited other countries, and that Americans aren’t curious about the wider world beyond U.S. borders.
But this stereotype isn’t true! The Pew Research survey found that 76% of Americans have international travel experience. Only 23% of Americans have not traveled to other countries — and most of these non-travelers said they would like to visit other countries if they had the opportunity.
The Pew Research study broke down the survey respondents into three groups, based on who has traveled the most:
26% of Americans are “globetrotters” who have traveled to five or more other countries.50% of Americans are “casual travelers” who have visited one to four other countries.23% of Americans are “non-travelers” who have not (yet) left the U.S.
I have had the great privilege of being able to travel to 11 other countries (so far), which puts me in the “globetrotters” group. Americans have some catching up to do if we want to be as well-traveled as people in Australia, Canada, South Korea, and Europe. Here’s how a few of those other places stack up in the rankings on the international “globetrotters” list (five or more countries visited):
The survey results didn’t go into detail about which countries were most frequently visited by Americans; maybe a lot of Americans are getting their first international travel experience from countries close to home. Sometimes the best way to break in your new U.S. passport is to take affordable winter vacations in Mexico or the Caribbean. But wherever people are going, it’s heartening to see such a large percentage of Americans joining the proud ranks of world travelers.
How international travel changes your life
Traveling to other countries has been one of the most profound and formative experiences of my life. It’s the best money I’ve ever spent. (I wish I was booking another trip right now; where’s my credit card?) International travel is a 24/7 immersive learning opportunity. You learn so much every day in another country, about food and music and language, and all the little nuances of people-watching, getting around, and navigating a new place. Every restaurant meal or grocery store visit is an adventure.
When you’re in another country, it feels a little easier to be outgoing, open to possibilities, and excited to greet the day; I’ve quickly made new friends during my international travels in ways that don’t often happen when I’m at home. I believe — I hope — that international travel has made me a more broad-minded, well-rounded, and compassionate human being.
There’s some evidence that international travel changes your perspective in powerful ways. The Pew Research survey found that “globetrotters” (people who’ve been to five or more countries) are more likely to be knowledgeable about international affairs, and more likely to have an international perspective. The study found that, among globetrotters:
57% want America to be active in world affairs66% want America to take other countries’ interests into account, even if it requires compromise42% feel close to people all over the world
We are living through a time of global crises like pandemics, war, and climate change. It’s more important than ever for people to find common ground and a shared sense of humanity. International travel can help create those connections, one person at a time.
How to get affordable international travel
Want to join the ranks of the “globetrotters?” Here are a few tips for how to get cheap international travel that fits your budget:
Search for “anywhere” plane tickets: Use Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Kayak to search for flights to anywhere — with no specific destination. You’ll immediately see surprising deals from your home city to anywhere in the world!Be an adventurous traveler: Find a cheap ticket and go to a country where you don’t know anyone. One of our writers at The Ascent found a cheap ticket to Santiago, Chile for only $220!Use travel deal services: You can get cheap flights by signing up for a few emails from services like Dollar Flight Club or TravelZoo.Get savvy about travel rewards credit cards: If you sign up for a travel credit card or an airline credit card, you can often get significant bonus frequent flyer miles. Depending on when and where you fly, your airline credit card can help you get a free (or heavily discounted) international flight!
Bottom line: A surprisingly large majority of Americans have traveled to other countries, and more are likely to join the ranks of “globetrotters” in the years ahead. Booking affordable international travel is more doable than you might think. You too can enjoy the life-changing learning experience of visiting other countries.
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