Why You Need to Get Out of Town Now
College entrepreneur Will Caldwell expands on the four things he learned from traveling the world in his 20s.
By Will Caldwell •
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
From light-bulb moments to meaningful-chance encounters, getting away may be just what the (business) doctor ordered. So while summer is nearly gone, you can still catch it.
Here are four reasons why entrepreneurs should make time for a vacation:
1. You'll get inspired.
Ever seen the movie Hangover? Traveling is just like this when you have no expectations, and you just go with whatever happens. Opportunities arise out of the middle of nowhere, and you have to be ready to seize the moment. Experiences like this are some of the most memorable you will have in your life and this will be what sustains you when you're facing impossible deadlines and ceaseless challenges.
2. You meet awesome new friends.
Living and traveling abroad has allowed me to develop friendships around the world, and I really appreciate this, as it is one of the most rewarding things in my life. Having friends in different countries is just simply awesome. You get a free place to stay next time you visit, and it is always a blast to have them come visit you, especially the Aussies.
Related: How to Make the Most of a Summer Internship as an Aspiring Entrepreneur
As an entrepreneur, I am always eager to meet new people. The more people you know, the more chances you ultimately have at success. This also allows you to bounce ideas off people from other backgrounds and gain a different perspective.
3. Your own perspective will change.
If you are one of the millions of college students that are now unemployed or you just hate your boring desk job, go travel. Explore new places, and meet new people. I guarantee opportunities will arise and doors will open. Worst case scenario: You get to experience a whole new sphere of influences and possibly learn a new language in the process. Maybe that new language will help you launch your dream too.
In the end, you have to ask: Why not? Why don't you save up and go to Southeast Asia, and live on the beach for less than a dollar a day? I guarantee you will meet all sorts of fascinating people from around world. When I spent 14 days surfing on the island of Nias in Indonesia, I was the only American and probably the first blonde kid the locals had ever seen. Not only will you feel like a foreigner, the experience will change your perspective.
Related: The 15 Countries Spending the Most on Business Travel
4. You'll learn from your mistakes.
No matter where you go, you'll learn something new. And if you mess up by, say, shelling out $1,800 for a clunker that ends up breaking down on your first road-trip -- I'm speaking from experience here -- you'll learn from that too.
All of these different experiences will change the person you were before you started traveling. You become more open to different ideas and ways of doing things. And perhaps you'll be able to go back to your startup with raft of new ideas -- along with a refreshed point of view too.
How has traveling influenced your startup? Let us know with a question.
**Apply Now** Are you an enthusiastic college- or graduate-student entrepreneur, eager to share your on-campus experiences? Apply to be a College Treps columnist.
