Business travel develops life skills

Business travel is often described as being physically and mentally tiring. But travelling from home to Argentina or Asia in four or five days definitely has its benefits. “It can also be stimulating — so much so that some people return from business trips energized with a new set of knowledge and a different perspective on their work”, the Harvard Business Review reports.

The Harvard Business Review reports that traveling abroad can build your confidence. It is also an opportunity to step outside your comfort zone. Successfully conquering the many challenges of international short-term travel can be a great confidence-booster. Spending time in a foreign country can also expand your creativity. Studies have shown that people are often at their most creative and “cognitively flexible” when spending time in a different setting.

International travel can also enhance your capacity to handle unexpected and potentially uncomfortable situations, a life skill that will come in handy even after you return home. In fact, short-term travel can often test people more than long-term assignments. Finally, traveling abroad can whet your appetite for future international experience, particularly if you haven’t had the opportunity before. Think of it as a low-stakes trial: You can meet new people, learn about and experience new food and customs, and maybe even practice a new language — without the long-term commitment and major life disruption that an expat assignment brings.

Further reading on hbr.org

Image by Harvard Business Review