Everyone has a list of destinations they promise themselves to visit during their lifetime. People travel for endless reasons, whether it’s to experience different cultures, see natural wonders of the world, or learn about heritage. All these ideas are exciting options, because in every situation, you will be exposed to something unfamiliar and life-changing.

每個人都有一堆承諾自己此生要去的地方。人們旅行的原因有很多，有的是要體驗不同的文化、看看世界上的自然奇觀，或者了解別處的傳統。所有這些想法都令人激動，因為無論是哪種情況，你都會體驗到從未體驗過的、改變人生的東西。

I recently had a discussion with someone about my study abroad experience. They listened as I recounted my explorations around Italy and my additional travels. "I would love to do something like that," they said, "but I feel like everyone goes to Europe now. It’s not really that unique anymore".

我最近和幾個人談論了我在國外的求學經歷，他們聽我描述在意大利的經歷和其他旅行時說：“我也想那樣做，但我感覺現在大家都去歐洲，沒什么特別的了。”

I was pretty shocked by such a statement. Since when was traveling anywhere not cool enough? Naturally, the older you get, you’re going to know more people who have traveled to various parts of the world, but does standing underneath the Eiffel Tower have less value to me because so many travelers have done the exact same thing? Or climbing and taking a picture up at the top of the Florence Duomo?

聽到這樣的話我很震驚，從什么時候開始出去旅行沒意思了?當然，隨著你年齡的增長，你會認識越多在世界不同地方旅行過的人，但是難道就因為很多人都曾站在埃菲爾鐵塔下，所以這樣做對我來說就沒有意義了嗎?或者說爬上圣母百花圣殿照張照片就沒意思了?

My answer: absolutely not. Reading travel blogs and staring at photographs is helpful and enjoyable, but nothing close to actually experiencing that place. The truth is, every new destination is unique, and it’s nearly impossible to make a "wrong" decision.

我的答案是：大錯特錯。讀旅行博客、看照片都很有幫助，也很有樂趣，但跟親身經歷絕對不一樣。其實每個新目的地都很獨特，選擇任何目的地都不會錯。

It is important to focus on your own personal journey, not the experience of others. Every city, state, and country, has thousands of different things to offer. The places you will visit all have fascinating people, delicious different kinds of food you’ve never tried before, and unbelievable history that will blow your mind. Traveling will nevertheless change you and leave an imprint on the way you see the world - no matter where you go.

重點是要關注自己的親身經歷，而不是別人的經歷。每個城市、州和國家都有數不勝數的新鮮事物。你要去參觀的地方都有有意思的人、你從未品嘗過的美味食物和令你癡迷的難以置信的歷史。旅行仍然會改變你，在你周游世界之路上留下印記——無論你去哪兒。

Whether the destinations we desire are seemingly simple or seemingly obscure in the eyes of others, every experience has its own unique value. Keep your adventures authentic while also utilizing the opinions and advice of others. In every new destination, you will find a new part of yourself. Truly, no destination is the wrong place to go.

無論我們想去的地方在別人眼中看似簡單還是無聊，每次經歷都有它獨特的意義。堅持自己想去的地方，同時也要聽取別人的想法和建議。在每個新地方你都會發現一個新的自己。真的，沒有一個地方是不該去的。