To Truly Appreciate Home, You Must Leave It

Published September 18, 2025

Experiencing profoundly diverse cultures sharpens and expands one’s worldview, revealing nuances you never knew existed.

“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.” – Saint Augustine.

I’ve hesitated to approach this subject, not out of fear of opposition, but because I’m sensitive to two facts. First, travel is a privilege that remains out of financial reach for too many, a truth I find deeply unfortunate. Second, it’s too easy for people to conclude that those who are not well-traveled are somehow lesser. I want to be clear that I do not believe that, and I hope that is not the conclusion you draw from what follows.

Mark Twain’s more famous quote is a little more pointed than Saint Augustine’s. Twain stated “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.”

It’s wrong to assume anyone who hasn’t traveled is narrow-minded. Still, I can report that I once heard a local friend suggest we should “bomb those ragheads back into the stone age.” I kindly pointed out that his feelings might change if he had personal friends from that country. As it happens, I had friends there then and I still do, which is exactly why this idea is so personal to me.

Decades of experience in vastly different places have taught me that most people share the same fundamental desires: to live their lives in peace, provide for their families, and pursue what their culture defines as a good life. This is not to say all cultures are equally effective at enabling human flourishing; the differences can be stark. Often, however, their approaches are not necessarily a matter of right or wrong, but are simply different.

So, why am I addressing this? Because our values drive our priorities, and as the saying goes, following the money reveals what people truly care about. In my case, I’ve been fortunate that most of my travels have been funded by others as I was able to provide media and technology services in sensitive and unique contexts. And all of that has let me see and do things most won’t experience, for which I am deeply grateful. More importantly, the associated trips have consistently reinforced the value of cross-cultural exchange as a powerful antidote to the fear of the unknown.

Last week, I was blessed to lead an exercise with representatives from twenty-two countries focused on preparing for the eventual opening of North Korea. Our South Korean hosts were exceptional, but what struck me most was connecting with a group of nine ladies, all of which are North Korean defectors.

Even my few years of experience in that Korean culture has taught me how challenging it is for these women, now living in the South, to engage with the rest of the world. Raised in what is effectively the world’s largest cult, their struggles can be significant. And yet, it was delightful to find that a boy from the West Texas oil fields could share such a genuine connection with them.

I wish I had the space to share the details of my conversations with the ladies from North Korea, or with new friends from Iran, India, Brazil, and so many other places. But those specifics aren’t the main point. Learning others’ stories firsthand, in the context of their real-life challenges, profoundly colors how we see our neighbors right here at home. It fosters a deeper appreciation for what we have, and grateful people tend to be better neighbors. Plus, hearing others’ perspectives on our culture can be hilarious, troubling, or even both.

I share this to ask a question of my fellow residents in Bosque County. What if we made a conscious effort to give our children, and ourselves, more exposure to the world? Yes, it requires an investment. However, travel is more doable than ever, and the returns are immeasurable. Imagine the long-term benefit to our community if we intentionally provided these experiences for kids who are likely to stay in Bosque and become our future leaders. A stronger county begins with broader perspectives.

We live in a wonderful place. And yet, seeing firsthand how people live in Seoul, Singapore, Nairobi, New York, or some hut in Sumatra often deepens our appreciation for Bosque County. Those who’ve moved here from bigger cities already know this truth all too well.

A side note: Miriam and I love wandering through grocery stores wherever we find ourselves, just soaking in what feels commonplace to locals. It’s a small, affordable window into another culture.

Unfortunately, most people – especially the younger crowd – likely haven’t had that chance to build such a perspective. Maybe you and others will step up to change that by intentionally prioritizing international experiences for fellow citizens, especially the next generation.

People aren’t wrong when they say it’s a crazy world, but a broader perspective is a blessing that helps navigate it. The journey can start right here since there are more well-traveled people in Bosque County than most realize, and learning from their experiences costs nothing. The first step is simply to ask. But don’t stop there. And to be clear, I’m advocating for legitimate cultural engagement, not just a wild weekend in Cabo, though I’ve been told that can be educational in its own way.

My hope is that this idea will plant a seed in a few minds. My hope is that those with travel experience will treat it as a gift to be shared, not taken for granted. And per Saint Augustine’s quote, my deepest hope is that as many people as possible will get the chance to read more than just one page of the world’s story.

 

And beyond this, let’s see what’s next!

J Matt Wallace