Thursday, March 5, 2009

Travel As A Part Of Education

'Education' in the broad sense is the drawing out of the individual's personality and intellectual ability, and travel has always been considered an important part of this process. Yet, the functions assigned as part of education have varied curiously.
At past time, the motives behind travel were exploration, military conquest leading to ownership of foreign territories, trade and commerce, and diplomacy. For example, Clive of India, Sir Stamford Raffles of Singapore, are among the great names associated with the old- fashioned object of travel- colonization and, in the opinion of some people, ‘exploitation’.
Also, early travelers considered themselves teachers-of an outlook, a religion, and a way of life, which they assumed was superior to what they found, just because in certain respects, it was more materially advanced.
Today, distance means little in terms of time. The European executive will soon be able to make the journey to the U.S.A. within the day. The jet plane, the fast car, the ship, and railway have made travel for diplomatic, business or military reasons virtually an immediate thing. It becomes a function spread throughout the community.
Few travel primarily to gain education, but education, though incidental is the inevitable result.
As a conclusion, i think travels teach climatic conditions, racial customs, religions, languages and the social and political outlooks of other nationalities. It helps in racial and national understanding through exchange of idea which provides interesting conversation.

0 comments: