This document discusses how traveling contributes to personal and professional development. On a personal level, traveling enhances communication skills by requiring the use of both verbal and nonverbal communication to navigate cultural and language barriers. It also improves social skills through meeting people from diverse backgrounds and flexibility/patience through having to compromise with others. Professionally, traveling hones planning/organizing, management of time/money, and teamwork skills when coordinating group trips. Overall, the document argues that while traveling may seem only leisurely, it unintentionally enriches one's skillset.

1. Show us an activity you enjoy
doing. Tell us how you think it
contributes to your personal and
professional development.

2. To some people traveling is not considered
as an easy activity due to many reasons:
1. High budget
2. Culture shock
3. Home sickness
However, I personally consider traveling a
mysterious adventure that allows me to
explore new and memorable places.

4. In my opinion, traveling is not
only a leisure activity, but also
an opportunity to enhance my
personal and professional skills.

5. On the Personal Level:
Communication
Skills
Social Skills
Flexibility &
Patience

6. Communication skills:
Communication is composed of verbal and nonverbal
communication, and I had the chance to experience both in
my trips. Every culture has a way of thinking and interacting
with one another. In certain countries such as Maldives, I
had to rely on nonverbal communication because of the
language barrier. For instance, I became more aware on
how to deliver the message through gestures, position of
the body, and movements made during communication so
that they will not be interpreted in a wrong way. As a major
part of verbal communication, active listening involves not
only hearing the words said, but also understanding the
complete message being sent. During my trips, it was
essential to listen actively to avoid misunderstanding and
conflicts.

7. Social Skills:
Traveling to different countries gave me the opportunity to
meet people from different background and culture.
Moreover, I have become more open to diversity, have
become more involved in conversations, have made friends
from different countries, and as aresult my self-confidence
has increased.

8. Flexibility and Patience:
Traveling with a group taught me how to compromise and
respect other’s opinion from simple things such as where to
dine, what activity to do etc. Waiting for your flight, for your
room to be cleaned, and for tour attendees can be
frustrating. In cases as such, patience is essential so that the
trip runs smoothly and with no tension.

9. On the Professional Level:
Planning &
Organizing
Management
Teamwork

10. Planning and Organizing:
The first step for traveling is planning, and with planning
comes organizing. I have planed my trips based on my
objectives whether for leisure, cultural, or business.
Moreover, planning and organizing helped me pay more
attention to detail such as making sure that I have not
exceeded the allowed luggage weight, and that I have the
necessary travel documents (ticket, hotel booking, visa etc.).

11. Management:
Time management and money management are essential
keys to traveling. For example, in cruise trips we are given a
fixed time on the island before sailing back. I have learned
how to manage my time for sightseeing, and shopping in
order to be back on time for departure. When it comes to
money management, I have learned the process of
budgeting, saving, investing, and spending.

12. Teamwork:
Traveling with a group requires sharing ideas, getting
familiar with one another, interacting with each other, and
sometimes compromising. Therefore, we all work as a team
in order to have a memorable trip.

13. To sum up, one may only see traveling as a
leisure or a business activity; however, it
enriches your skills unintentionally.