Teach Travel Tell has existed for over 5 years now and one of the main reasons I started the blog is because I wanted to show others that you can see this beautiful world even with a smaller travel budget. As I was reflecting on my goals, I realized I’ve never shared my personal travel goals & dreams to this community. This list is something that has been pretty consistent all this time, but as I accomplish some of these dreams, I know I will have some to add in the future!
#1: Visit 30 Countries before I am 30
This has been a dream of mine since my early 20s and I was on track for this goal until 2020 when the pandemic hit. As of summer 2023, I have visited 26 countries and I plan to visit number 27 next year. However, due to the pandemic I’ve decided to give myself until I’m 32 to complete this goal, as I lost two years of international travel. Also, I’d love to continue this goal as I get older as well so 40 countries before I’m 40 and so on!
#2: Visit all US National Parks
Of the 423 sites in the National Park System, 63 of them have the “National Park” designation. The US National Parks I have fallen in love with over these last 5 years and after each one I visit, I’m even more wowed than the park before. I have currently visited 19 parks in my lifetime and for my Christmas break I’m trying to hit two more parks!
#3: Go to the Women’s College World Series
For those who didn’t know, I grew up playing competitive softball. Softball shaped me in so many ways and it led me to the career path I am currently on. My junior year of high school I got to play at the facility of the Women’s College World Series, but I’ve never gone to see the tournament in person.
#4: Visit all MLB Stadiums
Since softball is one of my favorite spots, it makes sense I naturally gravitated towards the MLB when I was a child. In college, I decided I would love to visit all 30 MLB stadiums. Visiting these stadiums is a great way to explore new cities and get a feel for the athletic culture. I’ve currently visited 7 out of the 30, so I have a long way to go.
#5: Visit all 50 states
Up until about 5 years ago, I never kept track of how many states I had visited. When I counted, It turns out I hit a lot as a kid with road-trips up the east coast! Right now I have visited 47 states and my goal is to hit state 50 (Hawaii) with my dad in 2025 because it will be his 50th state as well!
#6: Plan a Study Abroad
Taking students abroad as a language teacher has always been a dream of mine. In 2019, I went on an EF tours trip my co worker set up as a chaperone, but it wasn’t as educational focused. I’d love to be able to plan an educationally focused trip for my students ideally in the next two years. Right now, I am thinking of France, Montreal or Quebec.
#7: Visit all 7 Continents
There are 195 countries in the world and visiting all of them is a pretty daunting task. I think visiting all 7 continents is much more doable in my future. I’ve visited 4 continents so far: North America, Europe, Asia, Australia. I know Antarctica will be expensive, but I think it would be life changing.
#8: Visit the New 7 Wonders of the World and 7 Natural Wonders of the World
Most travelers are familiar with The 7 Wonders of the World. However, not everyone may know that only one of the original ancient Wonders of the World is still standing. In 2000, a company based in Zurich, Switzerland called “The New 7 Wonders Foundation (N7W)” decided to launch a campaign to name the New 7 Wonders.More than 100 million votes were cast and in 2007 the New Seven Wonders of the World was announced. Right now I have only visited 1 of them which means I have many more places to venture. The Seven Natural Wonders is an organization that was created with the mission of protecting and promoting the natural wonders of the world. The project was launched in 2008 in response to the New 7 Wonders efforts to change the natural wonders of the world.
7 Wonders of the World:
Petra, Jordan
Great Wall of China
Christ the Redeemer, Brazil
Colosseum, Italy ✓
Machu Picchu, Peru
Chichen Itza, Mexico
Taj Mahal, India
7 Natural Wonders of the World:
Mount Everest
Great Barrier Reef ✓
Victoria Falls
Harbor of Rio de Janeiro
Northern Lights
Grand Canyon ✓
Paricutin Volcano
What are some of your travel goals and dreams? Leave a comment on this post as I’d love to hear about yours!
