Here or There? Should You Travel With Your Kids in Your Home Country? Abroad?

My own interest in travel was sparked as a child when I traveled with my family around the US.  To historic spots and national parks.  It was a great way to see a little history and meet interesting people.  I would have thought I would start my own kids off on the same type of US adventures.  While we do try to scout out great spots and national parks right here, I have really pushed to get my kids to foreign countries.  You might be wondering, why?

About eight years ago, my husband and I went to London.  I was struck by how much London had changed in the years since I had been a student there. I was even more surprised by how much it had become just like big cities in the US.

As a student, in the mid 1980"s, I was wowed by all the things about London and England that made them so different and special-- the fashion, the music, the stores, the buildings, the TV/movies.  They were all different than what I was used to.

On my return trip to London, it was very different-- because everything felt the SAME.  That is, London felt like another big New York.  There was a Starbucks on every corner, kids were wearing US brands, they were listening to the same music our kids listened to. 

It's not surprising that this happened.  Low cost phone calls and the internet make London seem like it is right next door to LA, Chicago and New York.  Realizing that this globalization of culture was likely to just accelerate, I made it a goal to take my kids to foreign countries to learn about their history and heritage as quickly as possible.

As we've ventured out to explore new countries, in fact, it does seem like "popular culture" has really spread everywhere already.  There internet cafes in the Galapagos Islands!  Kids from all over the world are playing Club Penguin in the airport lounges. 

However, it is still possible to meet people and get an appreciation for rich, cultural differences.  Especially outside the major cities.  However, a recent UN forecast suggests that by the end of 2008 half the world's population will live in cities and by  2050 that number will rise to 70%. 

So, if it's important to you that your kids learn about other cultures, I wouldn't wait too long to let them go and experience new countries.