h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I definitely believe a person should spend a little bit of time traveling to other countries while they're still young. In particular, the cultural education that comes from traveling to countries vastly different from your own is something that can only improve one's understanding of the world, and your place in it. H2G2 geek that I am, I immediately thought of the Total Perspective Vortex when I briefly visited Spain on a layover. Being surrounded by a staggering number of people who didn't speak my language was a good reminder that the world is vastly huge place, and that my place in it is indeed very small. Through traveling, I have learned that no matter what problems or stresses I have in my life, somewhere, someone has much different - and often much larger - problems. I honestly believe that exploring the world has given me a much stronger foundation to begin the truly adult phase of my life with, and made me a much more compassionate and understanding member of the human race.

Absolutely agree with this. And there are the more practical reasons. People generally have more energy when they're young, and the young body is less apt to complain after a night spent sleeping on the floor/in a train/in a field somewhere, or not sleeping at all. And younger people are typically healthier; health issues that are a nuisance at home can be life threatening in unfamiliar or isolated places.

It's also easier to pick up new languages when you're young, which is half the fun of travelling.