Travelling has always been regarded as a part of
young one’s education. In olden days it was a tradition in Europe that after
completing their academic career young men of high families were sent abroad to
get training in practical life.
Travelling gives us first-hand knowledge, which
books cannot provide. “Books are a mighty bloodless substitute for life,” says
Stevenson, “and can impart only second hand knowledge at the best.” But while
travelling abroad. One gets accustomed to bear hardship. He learns the lesson
of self-dependence and self confidence. Thus travelling gives an excellent
training for building one’s character.
Travelling also brings about an understanding
between different nations and links them together in close culture relations: Our
world has become one big family on account of the ease and speed provided to us
by new means of travel. Goodwill missions of one country visit another country.
In recent years many such missions have come to Pakistan from various countries
of the world, and the results are very encouraging Travelling also serves as a true
test for one’s strength of character. Our love for good and dislike against the
evil depend largely on public raise and blame. At home there is a check of
elders. And either out of their fear or due to social checks, we regulate our
conduct in accordance with the rules of decency. These checks are absent in a
foreign land where no one knows us. Thus, if we can show fellow-feeling,
courage. Generosity and goodness while travelling among strangers, it means
that we really have a strong character.
World’s great travelers, men like Ibnai Battuta, Columbus.
And Saadi Shirazi, have been men of great renown. They acquired knowledge above
men through travels and became great discoverers. Poets and experienced men of
the world.
Thus, we may conclude, in ever land and through all
ages the importance of travelling has been realized. Therefore our
educationists as well as our social institutions, should give due importance to
this aspect of human life.