Travelling as a part of education

 

Travelling has always been considered a part of education by all thinkers and writers of the world. We can get education and knowledge by two ways, study of books and by means of travelling.

Knowledge gained from course books only is theoretical and imperfect. It is second-hand knowledge. We can get first-hand knowledge from our meeting with men and women. The knowledge which we get from our acquaintance with things and men can be called fresh and first hand. It has been rightly said by Shakespeare

“Home-keeping youth have homely wits.

It is our mixing with men and women which bestows on us real knowledge. It is only through travelling that we learn more about the living habits, morals and customs of people than by reading books.

All the great scholars and writers have considered travelling at part of education. Almost all the great scholars of England from Chaucer to Russell travelled abroad to complete their education. lbn e Khaldoon, Ibn-e-Batuta, Sheikh Saadi and other great writers and historians of the East were all given to foreign travel. It shows that they too were convinced about the utility of travelling.

Travelling enriches our knowledge of history. A visit to Taxila, Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro can reveal to us so many points of their civilization, on which our books are silent. If we go to Egypt, we can learn many things about Pharaoh and pyramids. Travelling to India may also enrich us with the beauties of architecture which the Moghul emperors employed during their rule. One may be impressed by the beauty of Jamie Masjid Dehli and the Lal Qila. We can go to Europe and see paintings in the churches of Rome and Florence. Travelling can also increase our knowledge of geography.

A traveller becomes a great historian, politician and economic scholar at the same time. When a person travels to another country, he gets an opportunity to study the social, political and economic problems of that country. He also studies its traditions, culture and living style of its people. He makes a comparative study of that country with his country in each field of life. In this way, he comes to know which thing is better for the people of his country. A comparative study fills him with good and bad points of both the countries.

Travelling leaves a healthy influence on a man’s character. It trains his character and polishes his habits. It gives a new colour to his manners. Travelling broadens his vision and enlarges his sympathies. He shakes off his narrow-mindedness. He becomes a member of international community. He becomes optimistic and develops a sort of tolerance in him. He comes to know his shortcomings and weaknesses when he compares his manners with others. He accepts his shortcomings with patience.

Travelling also produces in us love for beautiful things. It matures and developé our aesthetic sense. Our artistic feelings are awakened to see beautiful lands, lovely valleys and mighty oceans. The appreciation of beautiful things brings us closer to God. We are overawed by the beauty and mystery of God’s universe. We can say that travelling is a useful and healthy activity of man’s life.