The very definition of what it means travel has changed in recent years. People have always traveled, but not in the same way that millennials are doing today. The words traveler and tourist seems to be easily switched out for one another, but for a lot of people, the words mean extremely different things.

As a tourist, it’s easy for locals of the place you’re visiting to be able to point you out and say “There goes an American”. Tourists are usually labeled by their cameras, their fanny packs and clothing from home, as opposed to the local attire. Maybe it’s not a bad thing, but many people who love to travel would rather be labeled as travelers instead of tourists.

Being a traveler means you long to blend into the culture you’re visiting instead of stand out. Travelers explore the roads less ventured and take greater risks than those only visiting a nation to cross it off of their bucket list. Travelers long to learn and be influenced by the things they experience, and tourists often just want a break from their normal lives.

Neither one is better than the other, but there are things that every tourist or traveler can be doing to enhance their experiences and leave whatever country they’re in feeling cultured, appreciative, and an all around healthier person because of it.

Research the Culture

Whether you’re a traveler or tourist, a little research on your part will make your journey much better. Look into what the locals wear, how they act, and the general customs that they live their lives by. Just because you’re visiting doesn’t mean you can get away with certain behaviors.

You will have a better experience and be better respected by the locals if you spend a little time learning about them. Perhaps you can even learn a little bit of their language before you go. You never know what kind of circumstance you’ll end up in, and you always want to be prepared for the unthinkable.

Protect Your Assets

When traveling across the world, it is important for you to understand that not every place is as safe as the place you call home. Depending on where you visit, there will be different levels of crime, poverty and religion. You must take proper precautions before your travels to secure your assets. This means insuring your belongings and yourself, among other things.

There may not be much worse than being stuck ill or injured in a foreign country, or left without guarantees that you can make it home. You never know what to expect while in a foreign land, so it’s best to be prepared in all aspects.