Well-travelled young Canadians more confident, well-rounded and resourceful — Survey
CANADIAN millennials who prioritise travel in their lives are more resourceful, confident and creative than their sedentary counterparts who’ve never ventured beyond Canada’s borders.
That’s according to the results of a new survey called “The Power of Travel,” carried out by travel tour company Contiki.
For the survey, researchers polled about 3,000 young people aged 18- 35 around the world, including 513 Canadians.
Respondents were split evenly between those who said they’ve traveled abroad, and those who have never left their country.
While the results predictably promote the value of travel, they nonetheless offer a closer look at just how travel can enrich people’s lives, both on a personal and professional level.
For example, 72 per cent of travellers said that visiting a foreign country has taught them the valuable life skill of being able to adapt to new situations and being resourceful when needed.
A similar percentage of travellers – nearly threequarters – identified themselves as confident and efficient multitaskers, compared to 66 per cent of non-travellers.
Anyone who’s been lost or stymied by language barriers abroad can also identify with the next statistic, as 62 per cent of travellers said they’re better problem solvers.
“The research shows just how valuable travel is to young people, with characteristics such as increased confidence and open mindedness enabling young people to be more creative, network, and develop a wealth of new skills and knowledge,” says Contiki in a statement.
“Emotional benefits such as perspective-taking, happiness and relationship satisfaction are also noticed in young Canadians who travel.”
According to the survey, travel has proven to be particularly beneficial for young Canadian women, 60 per cent of whom said that their experiences abroad have improved their education and employment prospects.