Another unspoken thing about traveling is the blunt exposure to different ideas, not always ones you agree with. Yes you get to experience different cultures when you visit new places, but what if it’s hard for you to mesh with those cultures? What about when you’re exposed to gender inequality, racism, and closed mindedness?

American culture has its unsavory aspects as well, and I’d give anything to explore the country as a foreigner, to see how the culture feels like to someone on the outside.

None of our cultures are perfect, none of our histories are free from darkness. We’re not in charge of those things. But we are responsible for ourselves, and if we all diligently try to be the best we can be, it will affect our cultures and histories.

Our legacy is not one of greatness, but of goodness.