I have met many folks who have traveled all over the U.S. I have done some travelling around the U.S., and I have enjoyed all of the places that I have been to. But there is a difference in travel. As an American, whenever I travel around the U.S., I get to meet people who have different backgrounds and experiences from me, but there is a lot of overlap. We speak the same language, have a shared history, and can get along without too much effort. Travel abroad is a very different beast.
We just had the pleasure of spending eight days in Germany. In fact, the photo in this post is one my wife took of a cobbled street somewhere in Nuremberg, Germany. Travel abroad can really stretch a person. We were in a country where we didn't speak the language, didn't know the customs, and have a limited understanding of the history of the country as a whole. That scenario can be a bit scary and intimidating, but it also helps to show what is really important. What I mean by that is when people are in a situation where they are totally out of their comfort zone, they have to decide what to do. They can shut down, clam up, and not interact with anyone new. Or they can try new things, see new sights, and be okay with being a complete neophyte in a new place.