Travel is Self-Care — And We Have Teachers to Thank for That

I often say that travel is self-care. It’s not just about escaping the routine — it’s about reconnecting with who we are, recharging mentally, and opening our eyes to something bigger. And this week, as we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week here in the U.S., I’ve been reflecting on where my passion for discovery really began.

It started with a teacher, who also happened to be my mother.

Before I ever stamped my first passport, my mom would let me pick up maps for our family road trips. My keen sense of direction and ability to navigate new environments developed from the hours I’d spend studying those maps. I’d have fun picking a destination and figuring out the most efficient or scenic route to get there.

My mom alongside all my great teachers were the ones who sparked my imagination. They introduced me to stories set in faraway lands, taught me about ancient civilizations and world religions, and handed me atlases that felt like portals. Whether it was the history of Greek architecture or a poem set on the streets of Paris, those lessons planted the seed for a lifelong curiosity.

Education, in so many ways, is our first passport.

It shows us that the world is vast, diverse, and beautifully interconnected. It teaches us to ask questions, to see patterns in different cultures, and to appreciate the stories etched into every corner — from the mosaics of Mykonos to the street art in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood.

When I walk into a centuries-old battlefield or try to decode the layers of a local festival, I’m grateful for the foundation that made me curious enough to ask, “What does this mean?” That’s the gift of education — it prepares our minds for the richness of travel.

So this week, while I’m daydreaming about travel experiences, I also want to say thank you to the teachers who made me a traveler long before I ever boarded a plane.

To my mom & all the educators out there:

• You build bridges between worlds.

• You shape explorers — whether of books, ideas, or countries.

• And you remind us that knowledge is the ultimate journey.

Happy Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week! (Happy Mother’s Day in advance!)

Here’s to the classrooms that opened the door — and to the journeys that continue because of them.