#travislowe

 ...one part personal.  As the flight attendant comes through one last time, I realize that just the week before, I was in Mexico City, and then I pause for a second, reminding myself that Canada, Germany, Japan and Cambodia all wait in the wings…this year!

You may say my travel patterns mimic my client’s desire for global growth, and that would be pretty close to the truth.  I’ve long known traveling is my drug of choice.  In fact, I believe it was predestined to be, as my name actually means, “the traveler”.  Inevitably, as one trip comes to a close, I’m already planning my next high, and if I go too long without a travel fix, I get visibly antsy.  I crave learning.  Culture, cuisine, climate.  Luckily for me, I’m blessed with a career that puts me on a plane quite often to get up close and very personal with culture, cuisine, clients and much more.....

As researchers, we’re trained to come into our surroundings with open eyes and an unbridled curiosity to fully appreciate our context.  We leave our personal beliefs onboard when we deplane and we become sponges to absorb the local’s reality.  Whether we’re around the block or on the other side of the world, we’re ready to learn (and grow) by what we experience and with whom we interact.

Over the coming months, I’ll be reporting in from places all around the globe.  I’ll share stories of people I’ve met and cultures I’ve been dumped into.  I’ll explain what I’ve learned about being a responsible and respectful guest, and I’ll share advice on how to immerse yourself in your environment to get the most out of your experience.

I’ve been very fortunate to meet people all over the world and make friends in far-flung places.  And I’ve found that despite our differences, we’re all very much alike in what we want out of life.  We may look different, have different tastes, and speak different languages, but we all breathe the same air down there.